This ordinance implements the StopWaste Regulatory Fee, a small fee added to garbage bills that helps fund environmental programs required by law to keep compostable and recyclable materials out of landfills, reduce food waste, support edible food donation and recovery, and prevent plastic bag pollution.
California requires jurisdictions to reduce food waste, recover surplus edible food, keep compostable and recyclable materials out of landfills, and prevent plastic bag pollution. These requirements protect the environment, reduce climate pollution, and support food donation and recovery. However, the state provides only very limited funding to carry out this work. StopWaste implements these programs countywide on behalf of all 17 Alameda County jurisdictions.
