StopWaste Unclaimed

Find local sources for bulk compost and mulch for healthy soil building.

Learn how to create and effectively use compost to enrich your garden and support sustainable practices.

Enhance your sustainability skills with compost workshops and technical assistance throughout Alameda County.

Find recycling, reuse, and safe disposal options for various items quickly.

Equip your recycling and composting efforts with custom tools and signage for clarity and compliance.

Facilitates the transition from single-use to reusable solutions, benefiting the environment and communities.

Empower organizations in Alameda County with grants to promote sustainability and reduce waste.

Empowers schools and districts to adopt effective waste reduction strategies.

Capabilities to source, produce, and apply compost and mulch and to implement on-site composting programs, including bulk procurement, quality guidance, hubs, and technical assistance.

Programs and funding that enable businesses and institutions to transition from single-use to reusable foodware and transport packaging, including implementation support and logistics optimization.

Formal partnerships and capacity-building for K–12 districts and schools to lead waste reduction, recycling, composting, and reuse initiatives through training, signage, and countywide collaboration.

Public-facing directories and item-level guidance that help residents and organizations find local recycling, reuse, repair, compost, and safe disposal options via web and mobile access.

Get Compost & Mulch

Get Compost & Mulch helps users locate local sources of bulk compost and mulch, including free compost hubs, the ACCAP bulk program, and a vendor marketplace. It also provides guidance to assess compost quality.

• Get Free Compost In Your Community
  The hubs provide residents with free compost, significantly aiding community gardening and landscaping efforts while reducing waste.
• Access Large Volumes Of Compost
  This program provides organizations and urban farms with access to essential compost resources at low or no cost, promoting sustainable agriculture.
• Connect With Local Vendors
  This marketplace allows users to find and purchase compost and mulch products directly from local vendors, ensuring accessibility and support for local businesses.
• Ensure High-Quality Compost Use
  Provides users with essential criteria to evaluate compost quality, ensuring successful gardening and farming applications.

Make & Use Compost

Make & Use Compost offers guidance for turning yard waste and food scraps into compost, with home and on-site methods, best practices for using compost and mulch, and free on-site composting assistance.

• DIY Composting Solutions
  Provides methods to create rich compost from organic waste, promoting sustainability and waste reduction.
• Receive Free Support
  Access expert support to set up or enhance compost systems at community gardens, schools, or urban farms.
• Enhance Soil Quality
  Utilizing compost and mulch correctly helps improve soil health, retain moisture, and promote plant growth.
• Utilize Red Worms
  Learn to turn food scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer using red worms, ideal for small spaces.

Trainings & Workshops

Trainings & Workshops provides access to compost technical assistance, trainings, educational workshops, and volunteer opportunities across Alameda County.

• Ensures Local Accessibility
  Our services are accessible to all residents and organizations within Alameda County, fostering regional sustainability efforts.
• Gain Essential Skills
  Learn about effective composting techniques and waste reduction strategies through our engaging workshops.
• Receive Expert Guidance
  Tap into expert resources and support to improve your composting efforts and sustainability practices.
• Contribute to Community
  Engage in meaningful volunteer work to promote composting and environmental sustainability within your community.
• Access Hands-On Help
  Organizations can receive personalized support for starting or improving compost systems, ensuring effective management of organic waste.
• Stay Informed
  Keep track of various educational events to expand your knowledge on composting and sustainable practices.

RE:Source Guide

RE:Source Guide provides answers on how to recycle, reuse, repair, and safely dispose of just about anything in Alameda County and the greater Bay Area.

• Search by Item
  Quickly find the nearest facility for proper waste management based on your item.
• Get Detailed Instructions
  Receive thorough guidance to help manage waste responsibly.
• Find Local Options Easily
  Utilize local resources for effective waste reduction and responsible disposal.
• Use Mobile App
  Access the RE:Source Guide from your mobile device for convenience.
• Stay Informed
  Benefit from up-to-date information on local waste management resources.

Tools & Signage

Tools and signage to help property managers, businesses, schools, and residents set up effective recycling and composting programs with signs, sorting guides, and flow maps.

• Creates Customized Signage
  Allows for tailored communication that meets the specific needs of different facilities, enhancing user engagement and compliance.
• Facilitates Proper Sorting
  Customized guides help users identify the correct disposal methods for various materials, reducing contamination and improving recycling rates.
• Supports Program Implementation
  Provides practical tools and advice to property managers and organizations for accurately setting up waste management systems.
• Clarifies Waste Pathways
  Helps users understand the journey of their waste, promoting transparency and encouraging better disposal practices.

Switching to Reusables

Switching to Reusables supports replacing single-use disposables with reusable packaging and foodware, with funding, technical assistance, and practical resources.

• Provides Financial Support
  This feature offers financial assistance for organizations aiming to eliminate disposables, ensuring a smoother transition to reusable materials.
• Offers Expert Guidance
  Provides tailored support to businesses, streamlining the setup of reusable systems and enhancing sustainability practices.
• Access Essential Guidance
  Includes comprehensive resources such as toolkits and best practices to aid organizations in adopting reusable strategies effectively.
• Promotes Sustainable Dining
  Encourages schools and restaurants to switch to reusables, cutting down on waste and saving costs, while fostering community awareness.
• Enhances Supply Chain Efficiency
  Improves operational sustainability for businesses by reducing waste and associated costs through reusable packaging.

Grants & Funding

Grants for surplus food recovery, reusable transport packaging, and reusable foodware systems; program launches in fall 2026.

• Receive Funding
  Support transitions from disposable to reusable foodware in schools and institutions.
• Support Food Recovery
  Strengthen local food systems by facilitating donations of surplus food.
• Implement Reusable Packaging
  Transition from single-use to reusable transport packaging to minimize waste.
• Enhance Program Impact
  Maximize funding impact by aligning resources with community priorities.

Anchor Schools & Priority Districts

Committed schools and districts leading waste reduction efforts across Alameda County through formal partnerships with StopWaste.

• Foster Collaborative Partnerships
  Engage schools in structured partnerships with StopWaste to promote meaningful waste reduction initiatives in their communities.
• Scale Effective Programs
  Work with priority districts to deploy extensive waste reduction strategies, enhancing resource management across diverse school environments.
• Implement Systematic Changes
  Facilitate cooperative efforts among schools to establish effective waste management practices that align with countywide sustainability goals.
• Recover Surplus Edible Food
  Implement systems for schools to redistribute surplus food, aligning with state requirements and addressing food waste issues in the community.
• Enhance Educational Programs
  Equip educators with standards-aligned materials that explore waste reduction, recycling, and composting, fostering environmental stewardship among students.