In 2021 the California Legislature passed AB 1276 into law, expanding the prior “straws on request only” law to also now include single-use cutlery, condiment packs and chopsticks. Affected entities include all retail food operations as well as food delivery platforms. The purpose of AB 1276 is to reduce excess packaging and reduce food waste from unwanted condiment packs.

A new California State law, SB 1383, aims to keep food and plant materials out of landfills to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change (food scraps emit more methane than any other material in the landfill). Under the law residents must properly sort recyclable and compostable materials into the appropriate containers.

In 2017, StopWaste began working with the Alameda County Resource Conservation District and later additional partners (The Natural Resource Conservation Service and UC Merced) to add to the body of knowledge on how carbon farming can fight climate change through the application of compost on range lands.

StopWaste provides grants of up to $10,000 for nonprofits to acquire food storage equipment, aimed at increasing safe recovery and distribution of surplus food. This guide includes details on eligible equipment, PG&E incentives for qualified products, selection criteria for equipment, and the rebate process.