Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot

The San Leandro community currently recycles or composts 75% of its waste -- meaning that waste is diverted from the landfill. Less waste going to the landfill means reduced community-wide greenhouse gas emissions. Read on to learn about how your household can help San Leandro divert even more waste from the landfill and further reduce our community's carbon footprint.

Did you know that you can cut your garbage bill dramatically by changing your trash service to a 20 gallon trash cart? Follow these steps to get there:

  1. Reduce – Don’t purchase more than you need
  2. Reuse – Reuse packaging materials, mugs, and office supplies
  3. Recycle – Plastic, paper, and glass products go in your recycle bin
  4. Rot – Food scraps, soiled paper, paper towels, and plant debris go in your organics bin

food waste for composting

SB1383: State and Local Organics & Recycling Law

A new California State law, SB 1383, aims to keep food and other compostable materials ("organics") out of landfills to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. Under the law:

  • Edible food currently thrown away must be recovered and donated for people to eat.
  • The remaining organics must be collected for composting,
  • Recyclables must also be kept out of landfills.

Starting January 2022, SB 1383 regulations will be implemented in Alameda County under the Organics Reduction & Recycling Ordinance through a partnership among Alameda County jurisdictions, garbage service providers, StopWaste, and the Alameda County Environmental Health Departments. You can find the full Ordinance here.

How does this impact me as a resident?

Residents in Alameda County are already provided with curbside recycling and organics/compost collection bins. If you don't have the service or containers, contact your garbage company, or if you live in a multifamily building with five or more units, contact your property manager. 

Under the Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance, residents must sort recyclable and compostable materials into the appropriate containers. For a list of what goes where in your city visit our RE:Source curbside guide, or download this flyer about sorting recyclables and compostables.

More resources about SB1383 are available at StopWaste.

HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED HELP?

StopWaste

It is the mission at StopWaste to help you reduce your trash. They have grants, kits, and more.

  • Recycling Helpline: 1-877-STOPWASTE (786-7927)
  • StopWaste Office: 510-891-6500

Waste Management

Alameda County Industries (ACI)

City of San Leandro Recycling Program:

San Leandro Library of Things

TIPS FOR REDUCING AND REUSING

  • Library of Things: The San Leandro Main Library has a Library of Things where you can borrow cool items like bird watching kits, telescopes, home tools, and InstantPots with your library card. This is a great way to reduce the stuff you need to buy at home!
  • Skip the Styrofoam: The City has banned polystyrene at restaurants and all other vendors. Learn about the negative health and environmental impacts of styrofoam.
  • Reusable Bags: The County of Alameda has banned plastic bags at many stores. Bring your reusable grocery and produce bags to the market.
  • Junk Mail: Nearly 100 million trees get used for junk mail in the United States every year. Visit Stop Waste’s Stop Junk Mail site to learn how you can save time and trees.
  • Old future, clothes, or other textiles: Check out organizations such as Usagain and Recycle Change to find out where you can donate old items.
  • Other items? Stop Waste offers a useful tool called Recycle Where, which allows you to search your item and location to find local places to recycle, reuse, or donate.

TIPS FOR RECYCLING AND ROTTING

READY FOR MORE?

There are some people going the extra mile to reduce their waste. Pick up some tricks and be inspired.

Zero Waste Home - Bea Johnson is a blogger and the author of the bestseller Zero Waste Home. She made the news for reducing her family's annual waste to one quart jar.

Story of Stuff  - this 20 minute award-winning video is about all the stuff we consume and throw away. Watch with Spanish captions.