Just recently, our Back to Reusables project was one of 10 awardees selected as a winner of Phase 2 of the Re-X Before Recycling Prize! Administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, the prizes aim to advance innovative designs that could keep materials in use beyond a single lifecycle. The prize of $150,000 will be used to further our efforts in transitioning school districts from single-use foodware to reusable foodware in Alameda County.
Agency Update - Winter 2025
Agency Update - Winter 2025
Application for Waste Prevention Equipment Grants Now Open
Application for Waste Prevention Equipment Grants Now Open
The application for equipment grants for Alameda County nonprofits, businesses, institutions, and school districts is now open. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 will be awarded to entities to fund reusable foodware in schools, reusable transport packaging, and food donation equipment needs. Going beyond waste prevention, grant funding is designed to support efforts that strengthen our local food systems and reduce environmental impacts by supporting the transition from single-use disposable items to reusable systems.
The deadline for application submissions is February 24, 2025. Details about the equipment grant categories can be found on our website.
SB 54 Implementation Makes Headway
SB 54 Implementation Makes Headway
Requiring that single-use packaging and food service ware be recyclable or compostable and cutting plastic in these items by 25% by 2032, SB 54 sits as the nation’s most comprehensive legislation to date to cut dependence on plastic, while shifting plastic pollution responsibility to producers and manufacturers.
Progress is being made toward implementation, with regulations near-final and results from the first of four Needs Assessment studies published in December. The study, led by CalRecycle, estimates more than 2.9 million tons of plastic were used in single-use plastic packaging and plastic food service ware produced in 2023. This will serve as the baseline for producers to meet the source reduction requirements of the law. Collectively, the study estimates these items made up 171.4 billion plastic components.
Additionally, an updated list was published in December 2024 listing materials considered recyclable and compostable in the state, as mandated by the legislation. New items now listed as recyclable include tin/steel/bimetal cans and waxed cardboard is now listed as compostable, for example. Other recyclable items include rigid plastics #1, 2, and 5, glass and aluminum containers, and paper/cardboard packaging. Some of the items not considered recyclable or compostable include cartons, compostable plastic items, and small plastic and metal items.
Items in the updated list are the only materials that can be labeled compostable or recyclable, including the use of the chasing arrows symbol, beginning in 2026, and these are the materials local jurisdictions are required to collect in their curbside programs. CalRecycle has until March 8 to submit final regulations to the Office of Administrative Law for review and they have until the end of 2025 to complete the remaining three Needs Assessment studies. StopWaste staff remain active and engaged in the implementation process, representing local governments across the state, and participating on the SB 54 Advisory Board.
Employee Spotlight
Emily Alvarez
Program Manager
Program Manager
Emily Alvarez is a Program Manager on the Built Environment team at StopWaste, where she has worked since 2018. Prior to her role at StopWaste, she worked as a planner for the consulting firm Dyett & Bhatia and the city of Piedmont. Emily holds two bachelor's degrees in Architecture and Environmental Science from Brown University, as well as a master's degree in City Planning from UC Berkeley.
What do you do at StopWaste?
I am part of the Built Environment team, focusing on efforts related to the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), and also support the Agency with special projects. As the Contract Manager for BayREN, I collaborate with the nine Bay Area counties to administer 10 programs that cover the commercial and residential sector, municipal buildings, and codes in the Bay Area. Funded by the California Public Utilities Commission, BayREN's goal is to make buildings in Alameda County more energy-efficient and transition them away from fossil fuels. Our programs include a variety of offerings such as rebate programs, educational initiatives, and technical assistance.
On the special projects side, I serve as the Agency’s planning lead. Our Agency is responsible for maintaining the County Integrated Waste Management Plan, which outlines the infrastructure of materials management in the county and establishes our long-terms goals. I recently wrapped up the Waste Characterization Study, which looked at all three streams, landfill, recycling, and organics, to better understand what we consume in Alameda County and where those materials are disposed of, informing our programs.
How did you start your career in sustainability?
I began my career by completing several internships with architects and a general contractor during college. I quickly realized that design wasn’t my strength, but I developed a passion for the policy aspects of sustainable building and how we can reduce our climate impacts in the built environment. That’s when I made the pivot into the sustainable building in my career. I feel fortunate to have worked in this sector, in one way or another, since I was in college. The built environment sustainability role is unique and has allowed me to work in different sectors, including nonprofit, private, and public, while taking on diverse roles throughout my career.
How has working at StopWaste impacted you?
I feel very fortunate, and love having a job that aligns with my values and contributes positively to the world. I value my role as a public servant and efforts to better my community as an Oakland resident. Working at StopWaste has given me the opportunity to learn a lot about the technical aspects and the chance to exchange knowledge with others in workshops and hands-on-training, whether with county staff or residents. Having the opportunity to learn, teach, and do something I’m really passionate about is really important to me.
What’s a practice or motto you live by?
Something I’ve been thinking about a lot as someone who is deeply concerned about climate issues and works in this field is that it’s easy to be really hard on ourselves for not consistently making sustainable choices all the time. It’s important to be kind to ourselves when you can't make the sustainable choice. I do my best, whether it’s making energy-efficient upgrades in my home, adopting bay-friendly landscaping practices, or using reusables. But even I slip up. The other day, I forgot my gym bag, which had my reusable mug in it, and had to use a single-use cup for my coffee. I felt so much guilt about it. I had to remind myself no one is perfect at living a sustainable life.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love being outside. I love running and hiking; one of my favorite spots is Redwood Regional Park—it’s an Oakland gem. I usually bring my dog along, she’s the best companion! I also enjoy skiing, and just being out in nature. Since joining StopWaste, I’ve tried to become a better gardener. I now have a decent amount of fruits and vegetables in my yard. I don’t know that I would have taken on gardening if wasn’t for all the great people here who know what they’re doing!