Latest Topic Brief
Home Energy Score California - February 2025
Latest Agency Update
Agency Update
Agency Update - Winter 2026
Updated Mar 16, 2026
StopWaste Pilots Solar Panel Collection Event In partnership with the California Product Stewardship Council, StopWaste hosted a free, one-day residential solar panel collection event at the Fremont Recycling & Transfer Station for Alameda County residents. Event staff collected 171 solar panels, and of those, 47 panels were tested and confirmed suitable for reuse, while 124 panels were designated for recycling. Funded by CalRecycle, this initiative helps keep hazardous materials from being disposed of improperly and supports market development for used solar panels. Launched in 2025, the
Recent News
Agency Update
Agency Update - Fall 2018
Updated Oct 17, 2018
What's in the Garbage? A Lot Less 'Good Stuff' According to our new countywide Waste Characterization Study, progress has been made in decreasing the amount of "good stuff" in the garbage. One of the most promising improvements was in the residential sector, with a 41% overall decrease of recyclables and organics in the garbage since the study was last conducted in 2008. While this is good news, the findings also illuminate challenges facing the industry and county moving forward. Explore findings and recommendations Local Nonprofit Helps Stop Food Waste As part of our Community Outreach Grant
News
Joaquin Miller Elementary Students Lead Charge to Prevent Wasted Food
Updated Jan 16, 2025
On October 3, the student body at Joaquin Miller Elementary School in Oakland came together during an assembly to kick off a new movement to reduce wasted food at their school.
News
Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 2018-1
Updated Jan 16, 2025
On September 26, 2018 the Governing Board of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority adopted Ordinance 2018-1, amending the Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CoIWMP).
News
Alameda County Study Reveals Significant Drop in 'Good Stuff' in the Garbage
Updated Jan 16, 2025
Oakland, CA—A new Alameda Countywide Waste Characterization Study reveals a significant drop in the amount of readily recyclable materials in the landfill. The 2017-18 Study shows that the amount of “good stuff” – such as cardboard, plastic, metal, glass bottles and cans, food and food-soiled paper – make up 36 percent of the waste stream, down from 60 percent when the study was last conducted in 2008. The Study, which uses industry-standard sampling techniques and statistical analysis to estimate the composition of the waste stream and tonnages by material and generating sector, offers a
Agency Update
Agency Update - Summer 2018
Updated Jun 29, 2018
Congratulations Business Efficiency Awardees! Five Alameda County businesses representing a wide range of industries were selected for their efforts to reduce waste to landfill through waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting. They are: Redwood Surgery Center, Castro Valley - Excellence in Recycling and Composting Ruby King Bakery, Oakland - Excellence in Recycling and Composting Checkers Catering and Special Events, Livermore - Excellence in Waste Prevention & Reuse New Parkway Theater, Oakland - Excellence in Waste Prevention & Reuse Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville - Excellence
News
CRRA Honors StopWaste Recycling Veteran Tom Padia
Updated Jan 16, 2025
On July 28, the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) will recognize StopWaste deputy executive director and recycling veteran, Tom Padia, at its annual Conference and Tradeshow at the Oakland Marriot City Center.
News
The Bay Area is still the right place for recycling
Updated Aug 19, 2020
By Wendy Sommer, StopWaste Executive Director Recycling is having a bit of a wake-up call. Until this year, two thirds of the materials collected from curbside recycling carts were exported to foreign markets. Recent, sudden changes in China’s acceptance of mixed plastics and mixed paper (junk mail, newsprint, office paper, etc.) mean fewer places to recycle these materials. It’s a problem affecting communities across the U.S., Europe and Australia. To date, no cities in Alameda County have had to send sorted mixed paper or mixed plastic to landfill. However, the situation is evolving daily
Agency Update
Agency Update - Spring 2018
Updated May 3, 2018
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste will be hosting drop-off events nearly every month starting on Earth Day through October. Alameda County residents can get rid of leftover paint, old electronics, medicines, and even mattresses at select sites. Find out about upcoming events Countywide Task Force to Address National Sword StopWaste is convening a task force comprised of member agency staff and representatives from industry, including haulers and processors, to address China's National Sword policy, and its significant impact on local recycling
News
Hall of Fame Honor for StopWaste Executive Director
Updated Jan 16, 2025
StopWaste Executive Director Wendy Sommer will be inducted into the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame in the category of the Environment at its 25th Anniversary Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on March 24 in Oakland.
News
Local Schools Win State Funds to Combat Food Waste
Updated Jan 16, 2025
Livermore and Oakland schools will be able to make a bigger dent in tackling food waste after being awarded a $500,000 CalRecycle Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant. Project partners also include ALL IN Alameda County and StopWaste. The awarded Smart Cafeteria Initiative will utilize and expand upon food share tables in every school cafeteria across two school districts to capture and sort unwanted food from lunch that is generated during or after meal service. Surplus food will be available for hungry students to consume at school, then to families from the school community.