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Agency Update

Agency Update - Winter 2024

Updated Jan 23, 2024

New Grant Round Opens!

Spotlight on Tri-Valley Haven's Food Pantry

Tri-Valley Haven is a safe space that is committed to supporting its community members who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or homelessness. Thanks to a Food Waste & Recovery grant from StopWaste, the nonprofit has been able to significantly increase the amount of fresh, healthy, and nutritious food they recover and provide through their food pantry. In addition, they have transitioned to a “client choice model” that empowers pantry visitors

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StopWaste Energy Council Chosen as Buildings Upgrade Prize Phase 1 Winner

Updated Jan 16, 2025

The U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office has announced the Buildings Upgrade Prize Phase 1 winners, and our Energy Council was among the teams chosen to move on to Phase 2. Buildings UP offers more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance over several phases to accelerate the deployment of equitable, widespread energy efficiency and efficient building electrification upgrades.

Agency Update

Agency Update - Fall 2023

Updated Oct 12, 2023

Grantee Spotlight: Schools Ramp Up with Reusables Many single-use foodware items contain toxic chemicals that can leach into food, accumulate in the body and lead to serious health problems. To eliminate this risk, while also reducing waste, five school districts in Alameda County are piloting stainless-steel reusable foodware to replace disposable lunch trays, food boats, and plastic sporks with the support of a StopWaste Reusable Foodware grant. Some pilots set up infrastructure to wash the dishes in-house while others use off-site dishwashing services. Continue reading to learn more about

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StopWaste Executive Director Joins CalRecycle SB 54 Advisory Board

Updated Jan 16, 2025

A new State law, SB 54, known as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, sets new goals to reduce plastic packaging and requires that all forms of single-use products be recyclable or compostable by 2032.

Agency Update

Agency Update - Summer 2023

Updated Jul 7, 2023

Congratulations Environmental Leadership Awardees! Six entities from different sectors including businesses, non profits, and school communities were honored at the June 8 StopWaste Board meeting. Awardees were recognized for their leadership and innovations in advancing environmental sustainability, waste prevention, and contributions to building healthy, climate-resilient communities in Alameda County. The award winners and categories are: Fertile GroundWorks – Livermore, Excellence in Community Engagement Common Vision and Good Eggs – Oakland, Excellence in Food Donation Partnerships Bay

Agency Update

Agency Update - Spring 2023

Updated Apr 13, 2023

New Disposable Food Service Ware Reduction and Reuse Ordinance We developed the StopWaste Model Ordinance for Disposable Food Service Ware Reduction and Reuse—a menu of policy options for Cities in Alameda County to consider adopting as part of their efforts to address single-use plastics and food packaging waste issues. The primary goal of the model ordinance is to reduce the demand for and consumption of problematic single-use foodware items, such as plastic and paper cups, plates, and utensils, that contribute to litter/ocean pollution, contaminate compost and recycling collection programs

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BayREN Increases Rebates for Energy-Efficiency and Electrification Retrofits in Multifamily Buildings

Updated Nov 9, 2023

The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) is pleased to announce new rebates for rental housing providers, including nonprofit developers and small, independent property owners, through the popular Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancement (BAMBE) program managed by StopWaste.

Agency Update

Agency Update - Winter 2023

Updated Jan 19, 2023

StopWaste Offers $1.1M in Grants for Waste Prevention We just launched our latest grants round, and this year, we increased available funding from $700K to $1.1M for projects focused on innovative approaches to preventing waste, building upstream infrastructure, and supporting local communities in Alameda County. Going beyond waste prevention, grant funding is designed to support efforts that boost resilient community food systems and address pressing issues such as food insecurity. The six grant categories are: Food Waste Prevention & Recovery (up to $20,000 per grant) Surplus Food Donation

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Fines for Lack of Compost and Recycling Service Start January 2023

Updated Jan 16, 2025

State and local law require businesses, nonprofits, institutions, schools, and multifamily properties in Alameda County to have compost (organics) and recycling collection service or an approved waiver. StopWaste will begin to issue citations for non-compliance starting in January 2023.

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StopWaste Wins 2022 Edible Communities Sustainability Award

Updated Jun 9, 2023

StopWaste was recently recognized with the 2022 Edible Communities Sustainability Award for our accomplishments in helping residents, businesses, and schools reduce waste and build healthier, more resilient communities.