HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 8988
City of Palo Alto (ID # 8988)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Informational Report Meeting Date: 4/16/2018
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Zero Waste Plan Update and Future Refuse Contracts
Title: Zero Waste Plan Update and Pursuit of Refuse Contract Options with
GreenWaste of Palo Alto for Plan Implementation
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Public Works
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
Executive Summary
Staff is forwarding to Council a draft 2018 Zero Waste Plan (Plan) which will
update the original 2007 Plan. The new Plan is needed to identify and add Zero
Waste related initiatives needed for the City to meet the goals adopted by Council
in the 2017 Sustainability/Climate Action Plan Framework.
The timing of this draft 2018 Plan is partially dictated by the 2021 contract
termination dates of the City’s three key refuse contracts for waste collection,
processing and disposal (approximately $20 Million in annual contracts). The first
step is to develop the 2018 Plan. Then, through discussions with the City’s
current waste collector and processing contractor GreenWaste of Palo Alto
(GreenWaste) develop practical methods to implement key initiatives within the
2018 Plan. Finally, refine these methods to support a two year process for waste
contractor solicitations, responses, negotiations and equipment purchasing. Staff
has recently begun discussions with GreenWaste to identify contracting options
to implement short term initiatives of the 2018 Plan as soon as possible, after
acceptance by Council. These discussions will include the possibility of extending
the GreenWaste contract for five years beyond 2021.
Staff is therefore making Council aware of the draft 2018 Plan at this time and will
bring the final Plan and recommendations for contracting options to Council for
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acceptance in summer 2018.
Background
Zero Waste Plan
In 2007, Council approved a Zero Waste Plan (Plan) with the primary purpose of
reducing the amount of waste generated within the City, reducing the toxicity of
the disposed waste stream, and maximizing diversion of recyclable and
compostable materials generated within Palo Alto. The 2007 Plan identified
several policies, programs, and initiatives that could help Palo Alto reach its Zero
Waste goal. Council acceptance of the 2007 Plan was not a blanket approval for
all the initiatives listed, rather staff brought forward each major initiative for
Council approval upon development.
Many of the initiatives in the Zero Waste Plan have been implemented, including,
but not limited to:
a refuse contract with GreenWaste including enhanced technical support
on waste management, increased construction and demolition material
recycling, and collection of compostable wastes (food scraps and soiled
paper) from commercial customers;
a single-family residential food scraps and soiled paper collection program;
anaerobic digestion of compostable wastes at a facility within 20 miles;
a recycling and composting ordinance requiring proper sorting of wastes in
Palo Alto; and
several programs to promote waste reduction and reuse through
community education and support, and partnering with organizations such
as Repair Café Palo Alto, Transition Palo Alto, Palo Alto Unified School
District, and Santa Clara County.
As a result, Palo Alto has moved closer to its Zero Waste goal. The City’s diversion
rate has risen from 63% in 2007, to 82% in 2016. However, the City will need to
do more to reach the following two goals:
90% diversion by 2021 – adopted in 2005 as part of the Zero Waste
Resolution and Strategic Plan
95% diversion by 2030 – adopted as part of the Sustainability/Climate
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Action Plan Framework in 2016.
In August 2017, Council approved a multi-year contract with Abbe & Associates
LLC (CMR 8321) to provide technical assistance in updating the 2007 Plan with
new programs and policies to achieve these goals.
As in the 2007 Plan, the goal of the 2018 Plan is to identify policies, programs, and
infrastructure/facility initiatives to reduce waste generation and toxicity, while
maximizing recycling and compost efforts, thus helping Palo Alto reach its
aggressive Zero Waste goals. Staff has undertaken the development of the
updated 2018 Plan in several steps:
1) Contracted and directed Abbe & Associates (the Consultants) to
characterize the City’s waste composition and update the City’s 2007 Plan
to meet the City’s Zero Waste goal of 95% diversion by 2030 (the most
aggressive waste diversion goal in the country) as part of the Sustainability
and Climate Action Plan Framework.
2) The Consultants conducted a Waste Characterization Study in late 2017 to
analyze the composition of the City’s waste stream. Understanding the
types and percentages of materials in the garbage allowed staff to identify
key opportunities for waste reduction, recovery, and reuse. The study
included residential and commercial waste.
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The top six most prevalent items in curbside residential and commercial
garbage are:
3) Staff gathered feedback on the new Zero Waste initiatives from community
stakeholders during two public meetings and an online survey. Outreach
included print ads, emails (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, the Utilities Facility
Managers group, Neighborhood Associations, Zero Waste Block Leaders),
social media, and the City website.
The findings guided the development of the draft 2018 Plan (Attachment A). Each
initiative was analyzed to determine diversion potential, cost, and greenhouse gas
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emissions impacts. Implementation will be needed to reach Zero Waste and
sustainability goals.
As was the case in 2007, Council acceptance of the 2018 Plan will not constitute
approval of every initiative within the Plan, rather Council approval will be sought
before implementing initiatives requiring CEQA review or having significant
budgetary impacts and staff will analyze feasibility of initiatives per the Plan.
Waste Contracts
The City has three significant contracts for refuse services ending in 2021:
1) GreenWaste of Palo Alto, Inc. (2009-2021);
a. Collecting and transporting recycle, compost and garbage to
processing facilities;
b. Processing the recyclable material their Charles Street facility;
c. Processing the compostable material at the Zero Waste Energy
Development Company (ZWED) and
d. Processing the construction and demolition material at the Zanker
Road Resource Management Facility.
2) Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer (SMaRT) Station (1991-2021) to
process garbage, removing some recyclable and compostable material and
transporting the residual material to landfill; and
3) Waste Management, Inc. Kirby Canyon Landfill (1991-2021) for disposal of
Palo Alto’s residual material from the SMaRT Station.
Discussion
Zero Waste Plan
The draft 2018 Plan (attached) lists many new initiatives that should be
considered to reach the City’s Zero Waste goals. These key initiatives, based on
the recent waste characterization study and community feedback, are focused on
the most prevalent materials in our landfilled waste, and include the following key
short-term initiatives:
Construction and Demolition: Staff believes that the most impactful
initiatives in the 2018 Plan are Initiatives 14-17 which target construction
and demolition waste, comprising 44% (19,021 tons) of Palo Alto’s
landfilled waste in 2016.
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Improve Sorting: Four Initiatives (1, 12, 13, and 17) address improper
sorting of wastes;
Food Waste: The single largest component of non-construction landfilled
waste (21.5% or 5,846 tons) - Initiatives 9 and 18 focus on food waste
prevention and rescue;
Diapers: One of the top six most prevalent items in the non-construction
landfilled waste (6.6% or 1,782 tons) - Initiatives 6 and 11 address waste
reduction (e.g., reusable diapers) as well as recycling and composting
options;
Innovative Processing Technologies: Initiatives 7 and 8 address solutions for
woody materials for which current processing facilities are closing and non-
recyclable plastic (4.7% or 1,278 tons);
Packaging and design policies: Initiative 2 acknowledges that statewide
efforts are needed to change problem packaging and products (9.1% or
2,468 tons) to be reusable, recyclable or compostable;
Additional Metrics for Zero Waste: Initiative 4 addresses the need to
augment current diversion metrics with progressive prevention metrics
(e.g., waste prevention, reuse, repair, toxicity reduction);
Textiles and Leather: Initiative 5 acknowledges existing relatively well
developed, readily available markets for textiles and leather (3.4% or 915
tons); and
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Initiative 10 addresses partner opportunities to add reusable items to the
Clean-up Day program.
Waste Contracts
To implement many of these initiatives as soon as practical, staff would need to
discuss proposals from GreenWaste and if acceptable, recommend a contract
amendment for collection, hauling and the processing of compostables,
recyclables and construction related waste. With the contract end in 2021, staff
may recommend Council approve a short-term extension to the GreenWaste
contract of a maximum 5 years for the following reasons:
1) According to a cost analysis by the Consultants, GreenWaste services
provided are a good value with collection costs per ton and per account
below the average of surveyed jurisdictions and GreenWaste’s per capita
annual costs per person in line with the average of surveyed jurisdictions.
2) Several neighboring communities’ contracts will end in or near 2021 as well
and with so many municipalities seeking new waste services there is a risk
of receiving a limited number of or no bids as vendors vie for the best
opportunity. Limited competition could also mean higher fees.
3) Other reasons include: To ensure consistency in implementation of these
initiatives with current programs; to take advantage of current equipment
not yet fully depreciated; to replace aging collection vehicles; a short 5year
extension could save money if advantageous terms and fees can be
negotiated.
Timeline
The 2018 Plan will be finalized in spring 2018, incorporating community feedback
and brought to Council for approval in summer 2018. In addition, during the next
few months, staff will commence preliminary discussions with GreenWaste to
determine approximate fees/costs and potential contract terms to implement key
short term initiatives as soon as practical. If favorable pricing and terms can be
identified, staff would recommend a contract amendment and maximum five year
extension to Council in August 2018.
Resource Impact
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The proposed staff actions described in this informational report will have no
budgetary impacts in FY18. When staff recommends implementation of the 2018
Plan initiatives, budgetary impacts will be identified and additional funding will be
recommended and evaluated as part of the annual budget process. In the longer
term view of potential resource impacts, staff expects costs to increase with the
higher Zero Waste expectations. The Council will need to review and evaluate the
costs/benefits of achieving the Zero Waste and sustainability goals against all of
the City’s other priorities as new contracts are prepared.
Policy Implications
The Council has previously adopted the Zero Waste goals of 90% diversion by
2021, and 95% diversion by 2030. Therefore, the draft 2018 Plan presented with
this CMR does not represent a change in City Policy.
Environmental Review
Plans are subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
if they establish mandatory policies or implementation actions that may have a
significant environmental impact. The attached draft 2018 Plan is not establishing
such policies or actions and is therefore not a project under CEQA. Individual
initiatives which would require CEQA review or budget approval will be brought
to the full Council later for approval.
Attachments:
Attachment A Palo Alto Zero Waste Plan Update March 2018
CITY OF PALO ALTO
Zero Waste Plan Update
March 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................... 1
CURRENT ZERO WASTE PROGRAMS ....................................................................................... 2
TARGETED MATERIALS AND GENERATORS ............................................................................. 3
Material Composition ....................................................................................................................4
Single-Family Residential Material “Capture Rates” ........................................................................6
RESEARCH AND PUBLIC INPUT ............................................................................................... 7
NEW ZERO WASTE INITATIVES ............................................................................................... 8
Short-Term Programs (2018-2019) ..................................................................................................8
Medium-Term Programs (2020-2026) ........................................................................................... 13
Long-Term Programs (2027-2030) ................................................................................................. 17
COSTS AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ...................................................................... 20
DIVERSION ESTIMATES AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION POTENTIAL ............ 23
ATTACHMENT 1 CURRENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS ........................................................ 1-1
ATTACHMENT 2 WORKSHOP AND SURVEY RESULTS............................................................ 2-1
ATTACHMENT 3 ASSUMPTIONS AND CALCULATIONS ......................................................... 3-1
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
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BACKGROUND
The City of Palo Alto is a leader in Zero Waste. In 2005, the City
adopted a Zero Waste goal of 90% diversion of waste from landfills
by 2021. The City’s Zero Waste Operational Plan, adopted in 2007,
identified a number of initiatives that will help Palo Alto reach its
Zero Waste goal.
The City has implemented the major initiatives identified in the
plan, including:
A Zero Waste collection contract
Universal roll-out of recycling and composting to all customers
Regional organics processing
Construction debris diversion requirements
Regional construction debris processing
Use of emerging technology
The City’s diversion rate has increased from 62% in 2007 to 82% in 2016. “Diversion” includes
all waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting activities that “divert” materials from
landfills.
In November 2016, the City Council approved the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
Framework, Principles & Guidelines which identified a new goal of 95% by 2030.
95% goal
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This Zero Waste Plan Update identifies the new and expanded policies, programs and
infrastructure that will be needed to reach this goal.
CURRENT ZERO WASTE PROGRAMS
The City partners with GreenWaste Recovery to provide comprehensive recycling and organics
collection to all residential and commercial customers in Palo Alto. The City and GreenWaste
provide technical assistance to multifamily complexes, schools, and commercial buildings
pursuant to the City’s mandatory recycling and composting ordinance.
Recyclable materials are processed at the GreenWaste Material Recovery Facility where
commodities are segregated and sold to domestic and international markets. Organic materials
are processed at the Zero Waste Energy Development Corporation anaerobic digestion facility
which produces renewable energy to operate the facility. Excess energy produced at the facility
is sold to the power grid. The materials leftover from the digestion process are further
composted at the Z-Best compost facility.
The City also partners with the cities of Mountain View and Sunnyvale on the Sunnyvale
Materials Recovery and Transfer Station (SMaRT Station). The SMaRT Station processes mixed
garbage from Palo Alto and recovers recyclable and compostable materials that would have
otherwise gone to landfill.
The City has innovative outreach and education
programs, including Zero Waste Block Leaders and
Champions and Green Teams at most Palo Alto
schools. The Zero Waste programs are supported by
the City’s Zero Waste policies, which include: a
tiered rate system to incentivize creating less
garbage, plastic bag and Styrofoam bans,
construction debris recycling and deconstruction
incentives, Zero Waste requirements at special
events, and the City’s Environmentally Preferred
Purchasing Policy.
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
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Attachment 1 includes a comprehensive list of the City’s current Zero Waste programs.
TARGETED MATERIALS AND GENERATORS
Materials are generated from many different sources, including households, businesses,
institutions (like hospitals and schools), and construction sites. In 2016, 44% of landfilled
materials were from construction projects and 56% were from all other sources.
Construction projects have a high recycling rate. In 2016, they achieved 72% diversion.
However, there is so much construction activity that the 28% of construction materials that are
being landfilled still account for 44% of the total amount of waste landfilled by Palo Alto. These
materials include: composite materials (things stuck to other things), mixed residue and fines
(materials too small to recover for recycling), and non-recyclable items (including painted or
treated wood, rubber, non-recyclable plastics).
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27,165 tons
Zanker Materials Processing Facility
Material Composition
To plan for 95% diversion, the City conducted a waste characterization study profiling each of
the City’s non-construction garbage generator sectors, including residential, commercial,
industrial and institutional generators. In 2017, 27,165 tons of materials were disposed in
landfills from these non-construction sources.
The results of the waste characterization study show that 67% of what is currently thrown away
could have been recycled or composted through the City’s current programs.
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
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The waste characterization study also identified the individual material types that were more
prevalent in the garbage. The following material types account for 52% of what is thrown away
by Palo Alto generators.
1. Edible food scraps (food that could have been eaten, but was thrown away) – 13%
2. Inedible food scraps (pits, peels, cores, shells, etc.) – 9%
3. Untreated medical waste (we need to work with our hospitals to address) – 8%
4. Paper tissues & towels (we need to put these in the green cart) – 8%
5. Clean paper (we need to put this in the blue cart) – 7%
6. Diapers (we need a disruptive solution) – 7%
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Single-Family Residential Material “Capture Rates”
A capture rate indicates what proportion of a material type is being placed in the correct
container. Capture rates for the single-family residential sector were able to be included in the
waste characterization study because waste samples were taken from the residential garbage,
recycle and compost containers. This was only done for the single-family residential sector due
to cost considerations.
Even though the garbage contains materials that could have been recycled or composted,
overall residents in Palo Alto are doing a good job of sorting materials correctly. Overall, single-
family generators are “capturing” 86% of recyclable materials and 83% of compostable
materials. Some materials types, such as plastics, food and compostable paper have lower
capture rates.
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
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RESEARCH AND PUBLIC INPUT
To identify solutions for achieving 95% diversion, the City conducted research and presented
the results at two citywide workshops. Over 100 different ideas were researched and vetted
using the U.S. EPA Managing and Transforming Waste Streams Tool.
Workshop participants received information about new policies, programs and infrastructure
projects that could be undertaken by the City to address materials generated by residential,
commercial, construction, and self-haul generators.
Participants then broke up into small groups for longer discussions about each of the
alternatives. Additional ideas were recorded and each person identified their high priority items
for implementation by the City.
Feedback was also gathered from the community through an online survey that asked for
opinions on specific initiatives, but also allowed for participants to add their own ideas.
Results from the workshops and survey are included in Attachment 2.
This input was used to develop the final list of Zero Waste initiatives for implementation in the:
Short-term (2018-2019)
Medium-term (2020-2026)
Long-term (2027-2030)
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NEW ZERO WASTE INITATIVES
Nearly 50 Zero Waste initiatives were identified for implementation in the short-term 2018-
2019, medium-term 2020-2026, and long-term 2027-2030.
For each initiative, we have identified:
Potential diversion tons
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction potential in metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent (MTCO2e)
Staffing based on full-time equivalent (FTE) levels of existing staff
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
Some initiatives also require a service provider (e.g., GreenWaste Recovery or other contractor)
proposal for a change in services or costs for external support from contractors or consultants.
Short-Term Programs (2018-2019)
1. Color tinted clear bags – Explore the development of an ordinance to require all commercial
customers who use bags to use color-tinted clear plastic bags (blue tint for recycle, green tint
for compost, clear for garbage) to consolidate materials by material type for better monitoring
and enforcement of waste sorting.
Diversion Potential 230 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 430 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
2. Statewide packaging and product design - Advocate for statewide packaging policies
including membership in statewide organizations (California Product Stewardship Council,
Californians Against Waste) and submitting testimony to legislative and regulatory proceedings.
Diversion Potential 790 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 1500 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
Costs: $10,000 for memberships
KPIs: Generation reduction, GHG reduction
3. Improve green purchasing - Finalize the Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy update
and train all City staff regarding that Policy. Develop standard operating procedures and
education campaign.
Diversion Potential 380 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 1300 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
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GreenWaste Recovery’s all-electric
collection truck contributes to the
City’s greenhouse gas reduction
goals.
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, Toxics reduction,
GHG reduction
4. Add a generation goal to the current diversion goals -
Explore metrics to adopt that focus on reducing the
creation of waste. Establish targets for reducing
discarded materials (garbage, recycle, and compost).
Include metrics that address climate/carbon impacts
and footprints.
Diversion Potential 290 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 470 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
Costs: $10,000 for consultant support
KPIs: Generation reduction, GHG reduction
5. Textile collection for reuse & recycling - Research
and implement a program for residents and businesses
to divert textiles for reuse and recycling. Investigate
feasibility of adding bagged or boxed textiles to the
curbside collection program. Map regional opportunities.
Diversion Potential 460 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 3330 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
Costs: Service provider proposal
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
6. Collect additional items (e.g., diapers, aseptic, pet waste) - Identify strategies to divert hard
to recycle or compost items.
Diversion Potential 620 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 570 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
Costs: Service provider proposal
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
7. Plastics Conversion - Develop pilots to convert non-recyclable (by the hauler) plastics and
multi-layered products to useful chemicals or products.
Diversion Potential 590 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 950 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
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8. Wood to biochar – Explore the production and
application of biomass power-generation technology
from tree trimming operations and the residual biochar
application on public lands within the City.
Diversion Potential 240 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 470 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
9. Zero Waste lifestyle – Expand outreach and education
programs to promote adoption of a “Zero Waste
lifestyle.” Promote on-line resources and best practices
for reducing waste generation, including strategies for
reducing wasted food. Conduct focus group on how to
make recycling more intuitive. Learn the barriers and
benefits for Palo Alto residents so outreach addresses
those and leads to measurable change.
Diversion Potential 80 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 110 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
Costs: $20,000 for consultant support
KPIs: Generation reduction, Toxics reduction, Landfill reduction,
GHG reduction
10. Collect reusable items ahead of cleanup trucks - Add
reusable items to the by-appointment Clean Up Days for
both resident and businesses and allow non-profits to take
turns collecting those goods the day before the recycling
or trash collection trucks arrive.
Diversion Potential 390 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 1730 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
Costs: Service provider proposal
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
11. Waste reduction for diapers - Explore incentives and
requirements for reusable and/or compostable diapers.
Diversion Potential 450 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 390 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.2FTE
Costs: $20,000 for consultant support
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
Biochar is charcoal used as a soil
amendment. Biochar is a stable
solid, rich in carbon, and can
endure in soil for thousands of
years. Like most charcoal,
biochar is made from biomass via
pyrolysis. Biochar application to
soil is being evaluated as an
approach to carbon sequestration.
Diapers comprise 16% of all
residential discards (7% citywide)
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
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12. Mandatory ordinance enforcement for commercial - Expand and improve outreach and
enforcement of sorting requirements for commercial customers (including multifamily
customers).
Diversion Potential 2070 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 4400 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 1.5 FTE
Costs: $60,000 for consultant support
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
13. Outreach and technical assistance for self-haul - Develop outreach and technical assistance
to customers that self-haul materials generated within Palo Alto.
Diversion Potential 380 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 980 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
Costs: $5,000 for consultant support
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
14. Require deconstruction and source separation of
construction debris – Explore the development of an
ordinance to require deconstruction and source separation
for all construction and demolition projects. Demolishing
entire buildings would no longer be allowed. Require
source-separation at construction and demolition sites for
easily recyclable materials. Explore incentives to encourage
remodeling and adaptive reuse of buildings, including
easier permitting and financial incentives.
Diversion Potential 3330 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 8580 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.2 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
15. Direct mixed construction debris to high diversion
construction debris recycling facilities – Explore the
development of anordinance to require that all mixed
construction and demolition materials be delivered to a
certified high diversion recycling facility.
Diversion Potential 2320 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 7850 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.2 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
Adaptive reuse refers to the
process of reusing an old site or
building for a purpose other than
which it was built or designed
for. The Art Center is a local
example.
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16. Publicly notice pending demolition to facilitate deconstruction and salvage in commercial
buildings – Explore the development of an ordinance to require that any builder deconstructing
a structure within the City publicly advertise the hours and dates that materials will be available
for salvage, provide a survey of potentially salvageable materials, and make such materials
available for at least 10 days.
Diversion Potential 280 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 1640 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.2 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
17. Construction debris recycling technical assistance - Provide technical assistance to
contractors and permittees about the City’s ordinance requirements and provide referrals to
local reuse, recycling and deconstruction service providers.
Diversion Potential 1900 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 4890 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.5 FTE
Costs: $70,000 for consultant support
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
18. Commercial Food donations (food bank, soup kitchen,
gleaning) - Building on the 2015 Food Rescue Services,
Barriers, and Recommendations in Santa Clara County,
continue participation in County’s Silicon Valley Food Rescue
working group to create a sustainable food rescue system in
Santa Clara County, where all surplus edible food goes to
food insecure people. Consider policies and programs
applicable in Palo Alto according to the findings from the
county working group. Integrate with food waste prevention
efforts.
Diversion Potential 160 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 140 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
Silicon Valley Food Rescue has
approved plans for a pilot
food truck program to rescue
edible prepared food that
would otherwise go to waste
and deliver it directly to
neighborhoods with high
concentrations of food
insecure residents that are
not currently utilizing other
food assistance programs.
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
13
Medium-Term Programs (2020-2026)
19. Bans or Fees – Identify additional toxic or hard to recover products or packaging for
regulation (through bans, takebacks, fees, incentives or other regulation). Targeted materials
could include expanded polystyrene foam products that are not included in the current ban
(such as meat trays and egg cartons), delivery service packaging (such as cold packs and non-
recyclable plastics), Mylar packaging (such as chip bags and juice pouches), or other hard to
recover products or packaging.
Diversion Potential 260 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 300 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
20. Reusable take out packaging – Explore the modification of
the current foodware ordinance to require reusable takeout
packaging and single-use items (e.g., cutlery, straws, sauce
packets) to only be provided “on request.”
Diversion Potential 420 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 780 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
21. No green or brown colored non-compostable produce
bags – Explore the development of an ordinance to prohibit
the sale or distribution of green or brown-tinted empty
produce bags that are not compostable by ordinance. Clear
bags and produce bagged outside of City (e.g., potatoes
packed in brown bags to reduce oxidation) would be
permissible.
Diversion Potential 120 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 110 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
22. Retailer take-backs – Explore the development of an ordinance to require retailers to
takeback key products and packaging that they sell to improve convenience for consumers or to
collect materials that are not acceptable in the curbside recycling program (e.g., batteries,
pharmaceuticals, compact fluorescent bulbs). Research should include: options for extended
producer responsibility for manufacturers and distributers with pickup points at retail sites
(such as in the Alameda County pharmaceutical takeback ordinance); and “milk run” pickups
from retail sites by the City’s contractor or household hazardous waste program (such as the in
the San Luis Obispo Integrated Waste Agency takeback program). Coordinate with neighboring
cities to adopt ordinances at same time, and/or to take effect once all neighboring cities adopt.
Diversion Potential 190 tons
10 downtown restaurants are
participating in the City’s Go Box
pilot.
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GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 320 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
23. Issue waste reduction grants - Explore the feasibility of providing grants to non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), schools, businesses and/or individuals to assist the
community to implement innovative reduction, reuse, recycling and composting programs and
to help foster the culture change needed to achieve Zero Waste. NGOs outside of the city that
provide services within the city should be eligible for grants (e.g., gleaners).
Diversion Potential 290 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 470 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
Costs: $10,000 annual grant program
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, Toxics reduction,
GHG reduction
24. Incentives for reuse, rental, repair industry - Research
the feasibility of providing incentives for reuse and repair
through contract incentives, material exchanges, wood
reuse, and direct assistance. Work with Chamber of
Commerce to develop and promote repair businesses.
Work with Repair Café Palo Alto to offer more repair
cafes.
Diversion Potential 290 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 470 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
25. Apply compost to public lands/parks - Identify areas
on public lands and parks where compost could be applied to sequester carbon to assist in
combating climate change.
Diversion Potential 70 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 50 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.025 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
26. Promote access to goods over ownership - Explore how to promote services that provide
short term rentals of reusable goods such as tools, sports equipment, party equipment (tables,
chairs, serving utensils), as well as sharing websites. Explore a membership-based program that
promotes community resource sharing while leveraging communal purchasing power (e.g., a
Tool Library delivers affordable tool-lending services to individuals, businesses, and civic or
community organizations).
Diversion Potential 10 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 80 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.025 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, GHG reduction
Silicon Valley legend Dan Kottke
helped out at the fourth Palo Alto
Repair Café. Dan is known as
'Apple employee number one'
and was a major contributor to the
Apple I, Apple II and the first
Macintosh computers.
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
15
27. Reusable filling stations at stores and Zero Waste supermarkets - Explore the promotion of
purchasing items in bulk bins and bulk packages at local stores, the expansion of bulk bin sales
at local stores, and Zero Waste supermarkets (everything is sold in bulk).
Diversion Potential 10 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 10 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.025 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
28. Plastic Recovery Facility - Participate in the development of a regional plastic recovery
facility for hard to recycle plastics with recycling service providers, business generators, and
other communities throughout the Bay Area.
Diversion Potential 590 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 950 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.5 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
29. Improve Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) processing - Use Request for Proposal process to
pursue more effective material recovery facilities for MSW when SMaRT agreement ends in
2021. At a minimum, ensure that residues after processing are further composted or digested
to minimize landfilling.
Diversion Potential 2820 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 5240 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
30. Mandatory ordinance enforcement for residential - Expand residential outreach efforts
(e.g., pilot providing posters on carts or inside lids). Explore providing periodic auditing of
residential collection containers and provide outreach and education to residents to ensure
that they are aware of the mandatory recycling program and how to comply with more
outreach provided to residents who require more assistance (as indicated by audit results).
Explore options for shared containers.
Diversion Potential 1380 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 2320 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.5 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
31. Residential Food donations (food bank, soup kitchen, gleaning) - Expand Palo Alto’s current
residential food sharing network (gleaning, donations). Prepare outreach plan and outreach
materials. Integrate with food waste prevention efforts.
Diversion Potential 200 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 180 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.025 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
16
32. Commercial Food waste prevention - Explore expansion of outreach to grocery stores,
restaurants, school cafeterias and other food generators on opportunities and practices to
prevent food waste. Work with Santa Clara County, local business, and regional industry
associations to hold Waste Less Food panels. Incentivize food waste reduction tools such as
Lean Path, etc.
Diversion Potential 420 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 370 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
33. Waste Prevention Technical Assistance - Expand commercial technical assistance program
to include waste prevention and reuse. Provide tools to identify and redesign wasteful
practices, products and packaging, how to recycle and compost, how to right-size collection,
where materials go, make business case for Zero Waste, and purchase more environmentally
preferred products (e.g., the current ReThink Disposable program).
Diversion Potential 890 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 1890 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.2 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
34. Business outreach (presentations, door-to-door outreach, Zero Waste Champions) - Expand
outreach and technical assistance to industrial, commercial and institutional generators
addressing recycling and/or composting logistics and increasing employee participation.
Conduct focus group on how to make recycling more intuitive.
Diversion Potential 890 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 1890 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.2 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
35. Free collection of small quantities of construction debris from residents - Explore providing
a reuse and recycling opportunity for small quantities of building materials that are generated
through home improvement projects. Investigate feasibility to collect small amounts of mixed
construction debris in a special container.
Diversion Potential 20 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 0 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
Costs: Service provider proposal
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
17
Long-Term Programs (2027-2030)
36. Require items to be reusable, recyclable or compostable - Explore the development of an
ordinance to require all products and packaging sold in Palo Alto be reusable, recyclable or
compostable by ordinance.
Diversion Potential 470 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 880 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
37. Market Development (local, regional, state, national) - Explore more active promotion of
local businesses that repair, refurbish, market, and sell used, recycled content or compost
products (through on-line resource guides, outreach and advertising); and local flea market.
Consider expanding promotion of garage sales for sale of reusable items and swaps for
household goods (e.g., clothing, toys).
Diversion Potential 290 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 470 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
38. Recycling, reuse & repair directory - Explore adding reuse and repair locations to
RecycleWhere and/or developing a supplemental web-based directory specific to reuse and
repair. This new directory could also include Zero Waste vendors and caterers.
Diversion Potential 290 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 470 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
39. Zero Waste Research Initiative - Work collaboratively with industry, government and
educational institutions to find new solutions for items that are hard to reuse, recycle or
compost in Palo Alto, connecting with the latest developments, innovation and innovative
funding (including venture capital). Work with Stanford University on research, development,
and policies to support innovations.
Diversion Potential 290 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 470 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, Toxics reduction,
GHG reduction
18
40. Every other week garbage collection – Explore every other week garbage collection service
options for both residential and commercial customers (consistent with Strategy SW-2.2 of the
2016 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan).
Diversion Potential 4310 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 6980 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.5 FTE
Costs: Service provider proposal
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
41. Reuse exchange - Explore and develop a program that encourages businesses to
institutionalize internal reuse – reuse closets for office supplies or tools, surplus sales to other
businesses, remnants, surplus goods and equipment, donating goods to non-profits and, finally,
giving items away.
Diversion Potential 230 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 940 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
42. Businesses recognition (certified Green business, certified Zero Waste facilities, Business
Environmental Network) (L) - Assess city and non-city recognition and certification programs
active in Palo Alto. Explore ways to bolster programs. Hold opportunities and challenges meet-
ups with representatives. Develop on-going cooperation agreements. Work with Chamber of
Commerce and Palo Alto Downtown Business and Professional Association, regarding
(re)integrating green priorities and projects into each group’s mission and vision as per the
Economic Development Policy. Engage with large janitorial contractors to support “back of
house” recognition. Develop draft multi-year Green Business Recognition Strategy. Hold
quarterly meet-ups for businesses interested in going green including all interested parties.
Diversion Potential 30 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 60 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
43. Palo Alto businesses product & packaging redesign - Launch/participate in a regional
initiative to encourage businesses to use reusable, recycled content and eco-friendly materials
in the design and redesign of new and existing products and packaging; collaborate with local
economic development staff to provide assistance and incentives. Support the San Jose
Recycled Market Development Zone and encourage Palo Alto businesses to buy recycled
content products from them.
Diversion Potential 30 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 60 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.1 FTE
KPIs: Generation reduction, Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
19
44. Promote Zero Waste credits in CalGreen Building Code (reuse, recycling, composting, and
recycled products) - Participate in Green Building Advisory Group. Provide information on Palo
Alto Zero Waste policies and programs for construction and demolition and advocate for
statewide requirements that support Zero Waste in CalGreen Building Code.
Diversion Potential 190 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 490 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.05 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
45. Building Materials Reuse Center - Investigate the feasibility of creating a Building Materials
Reuse Center in the region for the sale of salvaged building materials. The building materials
would be available for sale to the public and the Center would provide an outlet for resale from
deconstruction.
Diversion Potential 670 tons
GHG Emissions Reduction Potential 2840 MTCO2e
Staff Levels 0.2 FTE
KPIs: Landfill reduction, GHG reduction
.
Since 2016, 25% of the City’s whole house
demolition projects have been deconstructed
instead of demolished.
20
COSTS AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Zero Waste Initiatives Projected
Diversion
Projected GHG
Reduction
Costs
FTE = Full Time Equivalent
SP = Service Provider Proposal
$ = Contractor/ Consultant
Support
KPIs
GR = Generation Reduction
LR = Landfill Reduction
TR = Toxics Reduction
GHG = GHG Reduction
(Tons) (MTCO2e) FTE SP $ GR LR TR GHG
1. Color tinted clear bags 230 430 0.05
2. Statewide packaging and product design 790 1500 0.05 $10K
3. Improve green purchasing 380 1300 0.05
4. Add a generation goal to the current diversion goals 290 470 0.1 $10K
5. Textile collection for reuse & recycling 460 3330 0.1
6. Collect additional items 620 570 0.1
7. Plastics Conversion 590 950 0.05
8. Wood to biochar 240 470 0.05
9. Zero Waste Lifestyle 80 110 0.05 $20K
10. Collect reusable items ahead of cleanup trucks 390 1730 0.1
11. Waste reduction for diapers 450 390 0.2 $20K
12. Mandatory ordinance enforcement for commercial 2070 4400 1.5 $60K
13. Outreach and technical assistance for self-haul 380 980 0.1 $5K
14. Require deconstruction and source separation of
construction debris 3330 8580 0.2
15. Direct mixed construction debris to high diversion
construction debris recycling facilities 2320 7850 0.2
16. Publicly notice pending demolition to facilitate
deconstruction and salvage in commercial buildings 280 1640 0.2
17. Construction debris recycling technical assistance 1900 4890 0.5 $70K
18. Commercial Food donations 160 140 0.1
19. Bans or Fees 260 300 0.05
20. Reusable take out packaging 420 780 0.05
21. No green or brown colored non-compostable produce
bags 120 110 0.05
22. Retailer take-backs 190 320 0.05
23. Issue waste reduction grants 290 470 0.1 $10K
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
21
Zero Waste Initiatives Projected
Diversion
Projected GHG
Reduction
Costs
FTE = Full Time Equivalent
SP = Service Provider Proposal
$ = Contractor/ Consultant
Support
KPIs
GR = Generation Reduction
LR = Landfill Reduction
TR = Toxics Reduction
GHG = GHG Reduction
(Tons) (MTCO2e) FTE SP $ GR LR TR GHG
24. Incentives for reuse, rental, repair industry 290 470 0.05
25. Apply compost to public lands/parks 70 50 0.025
26. Promote access to goods over ownership 10 80 0.025
27. Reusable filling stations at stores and Zero Waste
supermarkets 10 10 0.025
28. Plastic Recovery Facility 590 950 0.5
29. Improve Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) processing 2820 5240 0.1
30. Mandatory ordinance enforcement for residential 1380 2320 0.5
31. Residential Food donations 200 180 0.025
32. Commercial Food waste prevention 420 370 0.1
33. Waste Prevention Technical Assistance 890 1890 0.2
34. Business outreach 890 1890 0.2
35. Free collection of small quantities of construction
debris from residents 20 0 0.05
36. Require items to be reusable, recyclable or
compostable 470 880 0.05
37. Market Development 290 470 0.1
38. Recycling, reuse & repair directory 290 470 0.05
39. Zero Waste Research Initiative 290 470 0.05
40. Every other week trash collection 4310 6980 0.5
41. Reuse exchange 230 940 0.1
42. Businesses recognition 30 60 0.1
43. Palo Alto businesses product & and packaging
redesign 30 60 0.1
44. Promote Zero Waste credits in CalGreen Building Code 190 490 0.05
45. Building Materials Reuse Center 670 2840 0.2
22
Implementing all of the Zero Waste initiatives identified in this plan update are estimated to
cost an additional $195,000 annually for contractors, outreach and additional research. Many of
the policies and programs identified in this plan can be implemented by the City without
increasing staff or service provider resources. Updates to the City’s ordinances and policies can
be accomplished by existing staff through their regular duties. However, new dedicated staff or
contractor resources may be needed to provide direct technical assistance, outreach and
research.
Staffing and program costs should be evaluated based on the following estimated costs for the
programs described in the phased implementation approach.
Zero Waste Initiative Purpose Cost
2. Statewide packaging and
product design
Support to statewide organizations,
memberships for California Product
Stewardship Council and Californians
Against Waste
$10,000 annually
4. Add a generation goal to the
current diversion goals
Consultant support for researching and
developing new metric
$10,000 one-time
9. Zero Waste Lifestyle Annual promotion, outreach and
education
$20,000 annually
11. Waste reduction for diapers Annual promotion, outreach and
education
$20,000 annually
12. Mandatory ordinance
enforcement for commercial
Consultant/contractor assistance for
education and reinforcement $60,000 annually
13. Outreach and technical
assistance for self-haul
Consultant/contractor assistance for
outreach and education $5,000 annually
17. Construction debris recycling
technical assistance
Consultant/contractor assistance for
outreach and education
$70,000 annually
23. Issue waste reduction grants Annual waste reduction grant program $10,000 annually
One-time cost $10,000
Annual costs $195,000
Changes to the services provided by the City’s collection and processing service provider may
also increase rates to Palo Alto customers. These costs would be determined through
negotiations and Requests for Proposals.
ZERO WASTE PLAN UPDATE
23
DIVERSION ESTIMATES AND GREENHOUSE
GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION POTENTIAL
Implementing the Zero Waste initiatives identified in this plan update will help the City achieve
its 95% goal. Using conservative estimates for capture rates by material type, the short-,
medium-, and long-term Zero Waste initiatives would result in an additional 31,000 tons per
year diverted from landfill. The assumptions and calculations are included in Attachment 3.
95% goal
24
Waste prevention, recycling and composting activities also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Using the U.S. EPA Waste Reduction Model (WARM), the Zero Waste initiatives to be
undertaken in the short-, medium- and long-term are estimated to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by approximately 69,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The calculations
and projections using WARM are included in Attachment 3. This will contribute to the City’s
greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 80% below 1990 levels by 2030.
1-1
ATTACHMENT 1
CURRENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
Policies
Rate Structure Incentive (pay as you throw)
Service Provider Incentives and Requirements
Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy
Product policies (e.g., polystyrene and plastic bag bans)
Construction and Demolition Recycling Requirements
Zero Waste Requirements for Special Events
Recycling and Composting Ordinance (recycling and composting are required)
Zero Waste goal
Zero Waste included in Climate Action Plan
Programs
Universal Recycle and Compost Collection
Anaerobic Digestion of Compostable Material
Municipal Solid Waste Processing after source
separation
Mixed Construction and Demolition Processing
Commercial Technical Assistance
Zero Waste Block Leaders and Champions
Support for Repair Café and Share Faires
Home Composting workshops and free
compost bins as incentive
Outreach and Education
− What Goes Where annual outreach
− New resident/customer welcome information
− General program outreach – workshops, shred events, Repair Café dates, etc.
− Food waste reduction annual outreach
− Give an experience annual outreach – holiday waste reduction
− Monthly Zero Waste tip
− Zero Waste eNewsletter
− Community Based Social Marketing efforts
Most of the Zero Waste Block Leaders host “party
packs” (reusable plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery)
that neighbors can borrow to reduce waste from
parties and picnics.
2-1
ATTACHMENT 2
WORKSHOP AND SURVEY RESULTS
Poster versions of this matrix were presented at the workshops on January 25th and 27th. Participants in the workshops used “dot voting”
to indicate their preferred policies and programs. The votes are indicated on the matrix using orange dots for the January 25th workshop
and blue dots for the January 27th workshop.
Comments from the workshop participants were added to the matrix and are highlighted in different colors: January 25th workshop in
orange, January 27th in blue.
The City also conducted an online survey using Survey Monkey. General comments from the survey were documented and matched up
with the initiatives and included in the matrix. Comments from the survey respondents are highlighted in green.
Notes in the matrix indicate whether each comment was incorporated into the initiative descriptions or otherwise addressed. The
initiatives were updated and renumbered for presentation in the plan based on whether they were recommended for implementation in
the short-, medium-, or long-term. Some of the initiatives presented at the workshop were combined or renamed and the descriptions
were updated for inclusion in the plan.
2-2
2-3
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
Community-Wide Policies
Any way to incorporate diversity into Zero Waste? Comment noted and is listed as a possible future project as part of this initiative.
Integrate sustainability priorities into all City projects Comment noted and is listed as a possible future project as part of this initiative.
Lead by example Comment noted and included 3.CW8. Improve green purchasing.
19.CW1. Bans or Fees Ban or limit sales of toxic or hard to recover
products and product packaging by ordinance.
Ban additional uses of expanded polystyrene
foam (EPS). Adopt point-of-sale fees for products
that are toxic, hard to reuse, recycle or compost
and/or certain disposable items to incentivize
customer reuse. Explore with express delivery
services how to reduce packaging, takeback
packaging and use reusables more.
Flexible plastic pouches, Mylar
packaging, cold packs,
composite film plastic, hard-
to-recycle products (e.g.
disposable diapers) and
packaging (e.g. EPS blocks).
Staff time
Short – research which
products and packaging
to target
Medium – adopt
Ordinances after develop
Plan for each ban.
Work with Amazon and other mail delivery vendors to reduce packaging waste
(try reusables)
Comment noted and is
listed as a possible future
project as part of this
initiative.
How to address Mylar packaging? Comment noted and product is on our list of items to possibly address.
Ban additional Styrofoam products Short term– research additional Styrofoam products
Need additional motivation to further reduce and reuse Included in #19
Support fees on disposable hot and cold beverage cups at local shops,
on straws and disposable utensils, and on disposable takeout containers
Included in #19
Support reusable, compostable or recyclable packaging alternatives including
through consumer pressure
Included #19
Support bans to reduce wasting Included in #19
Increase disposal fees Included in #19
36.CW2. Require items to be
reusable, recyclable or
compostable
Require all products and packaging sold in Palo
Alto be reusable, recyclable or compostable by
ordinance.
Non-reusable, non-recyclable,
non-compostable products and
packaging
Staff time Long
2-4
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
20.CW3. Reusables for
takeout beverages and
packaging; not single-use
packaging
Require reusables for takeout beverages and
packaging in foodware ordinance. Only allow
single-use items (e.g. cutlery, straws, sauce
packets) to be provided “on request.” Enforce
“front of house” sorting at restaurants and
businesses.
Foodware packaging, including
paper and plastic
Staff time Medium
All disposables (cutlery, straws, sauce packets) provided “on request” (still need
to allow compostables)
Comment noted and will be considered for incorporate into #20 as part of the broader
requirement
Require “front of house” sorting at restaurants and businesses and provide
customized posters
Already required in Palo Alto
Require reusable coffee cups – like in London Included in #20
Support incentive policies and programs encouraging reusables over disposables Included in #20
1.CW4. Color tinted clear
bags
Require all residents and businesses who use
bags to use color-tinted clear plastic bags (blue
tint for recycle, green tint for compost, clear for
garbage) to consolidate materials by ordinance
for better monitoring of materials.
Recyclable and compostable
materials
Staff time Short
Require customers to bag garbage and compostables Not recommended to include in plan
21.CW5. No green or brown
colored non-compostable
produce bags
Ban the sale or distribution of green or brown-
tinted empty produce bags that are not
compostable by ordinance. Clear bags and
produce bagged outside of City (e.g., potatoes
packed in brown bags to reduce oxidation)
would be permissible.
Film plastic, plus organics Staff time Medium
Give free compostable bags to community Not recommended
Require compostable produce bags Not recommended
Should not apply to produce bagged outside of city (e.g., potatoes packed in
brown bags to reduce oxidation)
Included in #21
2.CW6. Statewide packaging
and product design
Advocate for statewide packaging policies
including membership in statewide organizations
(California Product Stewardship Council,
Californians Against Waste) and submitting
testimony to legislative and regulatory
proceedings.
Hard-to-recycle products and
packaging
Staff time
+
membershi
ps
$10k max
Short
2-5
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
Reduce packaging Included in #2
22.CW7. Retailer take-backs
(voluntary, mandatory)
Ask retailers to takeback products and packaging
that they sell to improve convenience for
consumers or to collect materials that are not
acceptable in the curbside recycling program
(e.g., batteries, pharmaceuticals, compact
fluorescent bulbs). Research which items
retailers should be required to takeback by
ordinance. Coordinate with neighboring cities to
adopt ordinances at same time, and/or to take
effect once all neighboring cities adopt.
Universal waste, non-
recyclable products and
packaging
Staff time
Short – Ask retailers to
takeback targeted
products and/or
packaging that they sell.
Medium – Require
retailers to takeback
targeted products and/or
packaging that they sell.
Don’t hurt local businesses. People will go to other cities to buy. Comment noted
3.CW8. Improve green
purchasing
Finalize Environmentally Preferred Purchasing
Policy update and train all City staff regarding
that Policy. Develop standard operating
procedures and education campaign and
include in employee performance review
targets.
Reusable materials, recycled-
content, recyclable and
compostable products, and
compost products
Staff time
Short
9. Product & packaging fees Adopt point-of-sale fees for products that are
toxic, hard to reuse, recycle or compost and/or
certain disposable items to incentivize customer
reuse.
Hard-to-recycle and recyclable
and compostable products and
packaging examples?
Packaging such as Styrofoam
blocks
Staff time
Include in 1
4.CW9. Change from a
diversion goal to a
generation goal
Research additional metrics that focus first on
eliminating and reducing consumption and
wasteful practices, then reusing products and
packaging, and then recycle or compost
remaining discarded materials. Include metrics
that address climate/carbon impacts and
footprints.
All Staff time
+ consultant
assistance
$10k max
Short
Climate/carbon metric/footprint
Metric valuing reduce, reuse over disposal
Include in #4
Time urgency: due to climate change, we need to do more/faster Made #4 a short-term item
2-6
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
Community-Wide Programs
23.CW10. Issue waste
reduction grants
Research the feasibility of providing grants to
non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
schools, businesses and/or individuals to assist
the community to implement innovative
reduction, reuse, recycling and composting
programs and to help foster the culture change
needed to achieve Zero Waste. NGOs outside of
the city that provide services within the city
should be eligible for grants (e.g., gleaners).
All Staff time
Medium
NGOs outside of the city that provide services within the city should be eligible for
grants (e.g., gleaners)
Will include in #23
24.CW11. Incentives for reuse,
rental, repair industry
Work with Chamber of Commerce to develop
and promote repair businesses. Offer more
repair cafes. Research the feasibility of providing
incentives for reuse and repair through contract
incentives, material exchanges, wood reuse, and
direct assistance.
Reusable materials
Staff time
Medium
Develop and promote repair businesses (work with chamber) Include in #24
More repair cafes (we are swamped) Include in #24
37.CW12. Market Development
(local, regional, state, national)
Research and promote network of local
businesses that repair, refurbish, market, and
sell used, recycled content or compost products
(through on-line resource guides, outreach and
advertising). Promote local flea markets and
garage sales for sale of reusable items and swaps
for household goods (e.g., clothing, toys).
Used, recycled-content and
compost products
Long
38.CW13. Recycling, reuse &
repair directory
Research adding reuse and repair locations to
RecycleWhere and/or to develop a supplemental
web-based directory specific to reuse and repair.
This new directory could also include Zero Waste
vendors and caterers.
Reusable and repairable
materials
Staff time
Long
Provide on-line resource library for Zero Waste vendors, caterers Linked to #38. Will research at the same time.
2-7
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
39.CW14. Zero Waste Research
Initiative
Work collaboratively with industry, government
and educational institutions to find new
solutions for items that are hard to reuse,
recycle or compost in Palo Alto, connecting with
the latest developments, innovation and
innovative funding (including venture capital).
Work with Stanford University on research,
development, and policies to support
innovations. This is not necessarily a facility,
business or organization.
Particularly focus on hard to
recycle materials (such as
diapers, dirty film plastics,
Mylar and composites), toxic
items, medical wastes, value-
added products, building
products, transportation
products and products that
could be used by Parks &
Recreation
Long
Work with Stanford on 1) research and 2) development and then 3) develop policies Included in #39
Want way to recycle or donate non-recyclable and non-compostable packaging,
(including Single-service, Styrofoam, Mylar and Aseptics), textiles, shoes wood, pet
waste, diapers, repairables, composites, and pressure treated wood
Included in #39
25.CW15. Apply compost to
public lands/parks
Identify areas on public lands and parks where
compost could be applied to sequester carbon to
assist in combating climate change.
Compostable materials,
including food scraps and plant
debris
Medium
26.CW16. Promote access to
goods over ownership
Research how to promote services that provide
short term rentals of reusable goods such as
tools, sports equipment, party equipment
(tables, chairs, serving utensils), as well as
sharing websites. Explore a membership-based
program that promotes community resource
sharing while leveraging communal purchasing
power (e.g., a Tool Library delivers affordable
tool-lending services to individuals, businesses,
and civic or community organizations).
Reusable materials
Medium
Cultural Problem – Problem of affluence Comment noted
This is an interdisciplinary problem – may need to talk to psychologists to figure out
how to get people to reduce waste. Or business development to figure out
incentives.
Comment noted
Need help to do culture change Comment noted
Require Zero Waste events for any event requiring a permit (corporate picnics, etc.) Currently require
2-8
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
Palo Alto permitted events require compliance with a sustainability checklist (see
Stanford event policy)’
Comment noted, will check Stanford’s list
Want lending libraries for Tools, Appliances, and Toys Included in #26
Improve education materials, website and RecycleWhere tool Included in #26
27.CW17. Reusable filling
stations (bulk bins) at stores
and ZW supermarkets
Research the promotion of purchasing items in
bulk bins and bulk packages at local stores.
Promote the expansion of bulk bin sales at local
stores. Promote local and online resources for
Zero Waste lifestyles and Zero packaging.
Promote Zero Waste supermarkets.
Packaging, including film,
containers and bottles
Staff time Medium
Zero Waste supermarket – everything sold in bulk Include in #27
Need more bulk filling stations at stores (bring your own container and fill with the
item you want to purchase – grains, flour, nuts, herbs, shampoo, soap, etc.)
Included in #27
5.CW18. Textile collection for
reuse & recycling
Research ways for residents and businesses to
divert textiles for reuse and recycling. Investigate
feasibility of adding bagged or boxed textiles to
the collection program. Map regional
opportunities.
Textiles and leather Staff time
+ Service
Provider
Proposal
Short
Support textiles collection (71% of respondents) Included in #5
Oppose textiles collection (33% of respondents) – don’t want another bin, don’t
want increased costs, only have them infrequently.
Comments noted and will be considered in future program design.
Want adult and children’s clothing and shoe exchange Comment noted and will be considered in future program design
6.CW19. Collect additional
items (e.g., aseptic, pet waste)
Research and identify strategies to divert hard to
recycle or compost items.
Aseptic Packaging, Sanitary
Products, Diapers and Animal
Feces and Litter
Staff time
+ Service
Provider
Proposal
Short
Support pet waste and/or diapers, and aseptics collection program (71%) Included in #6
Oppose pet waste and/or diapers collection program (33% of respondents) – don’t
want another bin, don’t want increased costs, don’t have these items.
Comments noted and will be considered in future program design.
2-9
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
Community-Wide Facilities
7.CW20. Plastics Conversion Develop pilots to convert non-recyclable plastics
to useful chemicals or products.
Non-recyclable plastics,
including film, composites and
Mylar
Staff time Short
8.CW21. Wood to biochar Research feasibility to produce biochar to apply
on public lands within the City using local tree
trimmings.
Wood, including engineered
wood
Staff time Short
28.CW22. Plastic Recovery
Facility (PRF)
Participate in the development of a regional PRF
with recycling service providers, business
generators, and other communities throughout
the Bay Area.
Hard-to-recycle plastics,
including film packaging and
rigid plastic products
Staff time
Medium
Explore new facilities regionally Comment noted
Comment noted Collect all plastic and let the professionals sort
29.CW23. Improve MSW
processing after source separation
to increase diversion
Use RFP process to pursue more effective
material recovery facilities when SMaRT
agreement ends in 2021. At a minimum, ensure
that residues after processing are further
composted or digested to minimize landfilling.
Recyclable and compostable
materials remaining in the
trash
Staff time Medium
Reinstate Recycle Center Not recommended
Regional Repair Café Building Not recommended
Space for Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital Sale - a great community service Not recommended
Offer SMaRT-type drop off programs locally (could be located at Cubberley High
School site)
Not recommended
Provide local shredding events Not recommended
Add shredding event to 1st Saturday HHW events Not recommended
Residential Policies
2-10
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
30.R1. Mandatory ordinance
enforcement
Don’t mandate, educate first. Pilot providing
posters on carts or inside lids. Research
providing periodic auditing of residential
collection containers and provide outreach and
education to residents to ensure that they are
aware of the mandatory recycling program and
how to comply. Ensure that all customers are
audited once per year with more outreach
provided to residents who require more
assistance. Direct residents to nice looking
compost pails. Research options for shared
containers.
Recyclable and compostable
materials
Staff time Short – Posters
Medium – Shared
containers
Don’t Mandate – educate Included in #30
Direct residents to nice looking compost pails Comment noted
Poster on carts or inside lids – (add language: pilot this in the short term) Included in #30
Research options for shared containers – (add language) Included in #30
Residential Programs
9.R2. Food waste prevention
Zero Waste Lifestyle
Research expanding outreach and outreach
programs to reduce wasting food at home and
choose less wasteful packaging. Learn the
barriers and benefits for Palo Alto residents so
outreach addresses those and leads to
measurable change.
Food Staff time
+
contracto
r $20k
Short
Encourage people to choose less wasteful packaging (don’t buy onions cut in half
and wrapped in plastic – cut your own onion)
Comment noted
31.R3. Food donations (food bank,
soup kitchen, gleaning)
Expand Palo Alto’s current residential food
sharing network (gleaning, donations). Prepare
outreach plan and outreach materials. Integrate
with Food Waste prevention efforts.
Food Staff time
Medium
Donate end-rolls from toilet paper (custodians replace before fully empty) Comment noted
2-11
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
40.R4. Every other week trash
collection
[Move to citywide]
Offer with reduced fee if not picked up each
week (or higher fee if picked up weekly). Follow
Strategy SW-2.2 of the 2016 Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan: “As the City moves closer to
Zero Waste, more of the waste materials
collected should be recoverable (recyclable or
compostable), evaluate eliminating separate
collection of garbage, and moving to a two- cart
collection scheme. Moving toward every other
week trash collection is an appropriate next
step.”
All recyclable and compostable
materials
TBD
based on
Service
Provider
Proposal
Medium
Every other week collection with reduced fee if not picked up each week (or higher
fee if picked up weekly)
Linked to #40
Fees are going up. How do we reduce waste and costs? Comment noted
10R5. Collect reusables ahead of
cleanup trucks
[Move to citywide]
Research the addition of reusables to the by-
appointment Clean Up Days for both resident
and businesses and allow non-profits to take
turns collecting those goods the day before the
GreenWaste collection trucks arrive. Update
website and promotional materials and promote
via media releases and across social media
channels.
Reusable materials Staff time
+ TBD
based on
Service
Provider
Proposal
Short
11.R6. Incentives for reusable
and/or compostable diapers
Waste reduction for diapers
[Move to citywide]
Research incentives and requirements for
reusable and/or compostable diapers.
Diapers Staff time
+
consultan
t time
$20,000
per year
Short
Social norming – just try it! Comment notes
The green bin gets pretty nasty when you share with other residents – how about
periodic cleaning by collector?
Cart and bin cleaning is offered as a service by GreenWaste. Free service not
recommended due to costs.
Mandate only small garbage cart (e.g., 16 or 20 gallons) Not recommended
Special programs to assist multifamily Comment noted
Enforcement and outreach for multifamily Included in #11
2-12
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
Require drivers to get out of the collection truck to pick up batteries Doing this now.
Support reusable diaper service program subsidy Included in #11
Commercial Programs
12.C1. Mandatory ordinance
enforcement
Expand and improve outreach and enforcement
of sorting requirements for commercial
customers (including multifamily customers).
Recyclable and compostable
materials
Staff time
+ ½ GW
EOC -
$59,500
Short
32.C2. Food waste prevention Research and expand outreach to grocery stores,
restaurants, school cafeterias and other food
generators on opportunities and practices to
prevent food waste. Work with local business
and regional industry associations to hold Waste
Less Food panels. Incentivize food waste
reduction tools such as Lean Path, etc.
Food Staff time
Medium
18.C3. Food donations (food bank,
soup kitchen, gleaning)
Building on the 2015 Food Rescue Services,
Barriers, and Recommendations in Santa Clara
County, continue participation in County’s Silicon
Valley Food Rescue working group to create a
sustainable food rescue system in Santa Clara
County, where all surplus edible food goes to
food insecure people. Consider policies and
programs applicable in Palo Alto according to the
findings from the county working group.
Integrate with food waste prevention efforts.
Food Staff time
Short
34. Less than every week
trash/residual collection
Strategy SW-2.2 of the 2016 Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan states: As the City moves
closer to Zero Waste, more of the waste
materials collected should be recoverable
(recyclable or compostable), evaluate
eliminating separate collection of garbage, and
moving to a two- cart collection scheme. Moving
toward every other week trash collection is an
appropriate step in that direction.
All TBD –
Service
Provider
Proposal
Medium
Combine this with the
residential one.
2-13
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
33.C4. Waste Prevention Technical
Assistance
Expand commercial technical assistance program
(including ReThink Disposable) to include waste
prevention and reuse. Provide tools to identify
and redesign wasteful practices, products and
packaging, incentive policies and programs
encouraging reusables over disposables, how to
recycle and compost, how to right-size
collection, reusable shipping containers and
packaging requirements/program, digital
delivery of all official communications, identify
where materials go, make business case for Zero
Waste, and purchase more environmentally
preferred products. Conduct focus group on how
to make recycling more intuitive.
All Staff time
Medium
Focus group on how to make recycling more intuitive Comment noted
Technical assistance to document diversion & cost savings Included in #33
Technical assistance to make the business case for Zero Waste Included in #33
Easy to find list of what goes where – app or better website Comment noted
Support Reusable shipping packaging requirements/program Included in #33
Promote reusable shipping containers. Included in #33
Digital delivery Included in #33
34.C5. Business outreach
(presentations, door-to-door
outreach, Zero Waste Champions)
Expand outreach and technical assistance to
industrial, commercial and institutional
generators addressing recycling and/or
composting logistics and increasing employee
participation.
All Staff time Medium
41.C6. Reuse exchange Research and develop a clever and convenient
program that encourages and rewards
businesses for institutionalizing internal reuse –
reuse closets for office supplies or tools, surplus
sales to other businesses, remnants, surplus
goods and equipment, donating goods to non-
profits, and, finally, giving items away.
Reusable materials Staff time
Long
Want business reuse exchange Included in #41
2-14
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
38. Reuse collection Add reusables to the by-appointment Clean Up
Days and allow non-profits to take turns
collecting those goods the day before the
GreenWaste collection trucks arrive. Update
website and promotional materials and promote
via media releases and across social media
channels.
Reusable materials TBD –
Service
Provider
Proposal
Short
Combine with the
residential initiative
42.C7. Help Businesses apply for
recognition (certified Green
business, certified Zero Waste
facilities, Business Environmental
Network)
Business recognition
Assess city and non-city recognition and
certification programs active in Palo Alto. Hold
opportunities and challenges meet-ups with
representatives. Develop on-going cooperation
agreements. Work with Chamber of Commerce
and Palo Alto Downtown (PAD), regarding
(re)integrating green priorities and projects into
each group’s mission and vision as per the
Economic Development Policy. Engage with large
janitorial contractors to support “back of house”
recognition. Develop draft multi-year Green
Business Recognition Strategy. Hold quarterly
meet-ups for businesses interested in going
green including all interested parties.
All Staff time
Long
Janitorial or “back of house” recognition Included in #42
Engagement with large janitorial contractors (JLL, ISS) Included in #42
43.C8. Palo Alto businesses product
& and packaging redesign
Launch/participate in a regional initiative to
encourage businesses to use reusable, recycled
content and eco-friendly materials in the design
and redesign of new and existing products and
packaging; collaborate with local economic
development staff to provide assistance and
incentives. Support the San Jose Recycled
Market Development Zone (RMDZ) and
encourage Palo Alto businesses to buy recycled
content products from them.
Products and packaging Staff time Long
2-15
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
41. Incentives/subsidies for
reusable diapers
Provide incentives/subsidies to day care centers,
hospitals and nursing homes for transitioning to
reusable diapers.
Phil asked to incorporate all diaper items into
one initiative
Diapers Scalable
$10,000
per year
Short
Include with 30
Self-Haul Programs
13.SH1. Outreach and technical
assistance
Research outreach and technical assistance to
self-haulers, including householders and
business owners with service exemptions and
service providers that self-haul materials
generated within Palo Alto. Address
requirements, how-to guides (e.g. how to sort
recycle, compost and garbage properly).
Municipal solid waste,
construction debris, reusable
and recyclable materials from
periodic cleanouts and
construction
Staff time,
outreach
materials
$5,000
per year
Short
C&D Policies
14.CD1. Require deconstruction
and source separation of selected
materials
Require deconstruction and source separation
for all construction and demolition projects by
ordinance. Demolishing entire buildings would
no longer be allowed. Require source-separation
at construction and demolition sites for easily
recyclable materials. Research incentives to
encourage remodeling and adaptive reuse of
buildings, including easier permitting and
financial incentives.
Reusable building materials,
including lumber, fixtures,
furniture and appliances,
sheetrock, carpet, asphalt
composition shingles, ceiling
tile, wood, metal, concrete,
asphalt, brick, and stucco.
Staff time
Short
Support ordinance (87% of respondents) Included in #14
Oppose ordinance (19% of respondents) – too costly, can hurt small businesses,
create an incentive instead of a fine, already too many regulations for building in
Palo Alto
Comments noted
Adaptive Reuse of Buildings Included in # 14
Expand requirements for demo permits Not recommended
Create incentives for contractors and property owners having to spend extra time
and costs
Comment noted
Require deconstruction and source separation for all projects Included in #14
2-16
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
15.CD2. Direct mixed C&D
materials to high diversion C&D
recycling facilities
Require that all mixed C&D materials be
delivered to a certified high diversion facility by
ordinance
Building materials and C&D
debris, including wood,
gypsum, paper, plastic, glass,
carpet, and roofing materials
Staff time
Short
16.CD3. Publicly notice pending
demolition to facilitate
deconstruction and salvage in
commercial buildings
Require that any business demolishing a
structure within the City publicly advertise the
hours and dates that materials will be available
for salvage, provide a survey of potentially
salvageable materials, and make such materials
available for at least 10 days.
Reusable building materials,
including lumber, fixtures,
furniture, and appliances
Staff time
Short
46. Required source-separation Require source-separation at construction and
demolition sites for easily recyclable materials by
ordinance.
Sheetrock, carpet, asphalt
composition shingles, ceiling
tile, wood, metal, concrete,
asphalt, brick, stucco
Staff time
Include in 43
Decrease permit time as an incentive Comment noted
Create incentives for property owners Comment noted
C&D Programs
44.CD4. Promote Zero Waste
credits in CalGreen Building Code
(reuse, recycling, composting,
and recycled products)
Participate in Green Building Advisory Group.
Provide information on Palo Alto Zero Waste
policies and programs for construction and
demolition and advocate for statewide
requirements that support Zero Waste in
CalGreen Building Code.
Recyclable building materials,
including sheetrock, carpet,
asphalt composition shingles,
ceiling tile, wood, metal,
concrete, asphalt, brick, stucco
and reusable building
materials, including lumber,
fixtures, and appliances
Staff time Long
35.CD5. Free collection of small
quantities of C&D from residents.
Research providing a reuse and recycling
opportunity for small quantities of building
materials that are generated through home
improvement projects.
Investigate feasibility to collect small amounts of
mixed C&D in a special container.
Recyclable building materials,
including sheetrock, carpet,
asphalt composition shingles,
ceiling tile, wood, metal,
concrete, asphalt, brick, stucco
and reusable building
materials, including lumber,
fixtures, and appliances
Medium
2-17
Initiative Description Targeted Materials Cost Dot Voting Term
17.CD6. Technical assistance Provide technical assistance to contractors and
permittees by publishing information about the
City’s ordinance requirements and providing
referrals to local reuse, recycling and
deconstruction service providers
Building materials and C&D
debris, including wood,
gypsum, paper, plastic, glass,
carpet, and roofing materials
Staff time
+
$5-10K +
½ GW
EOC -
$59,500
Short
C&D Infrastructure
45.CD7. Building Materials Reuse
Center
Investigate the feasibility of creating a Building
Materials Reuse Center in the region for sale of
salvaged building materials. The building
materials would be available for sale to the
public and the Center would provide an outlet
for resale from deconstruction.
Reusable building materials,
including lumber, fixtures, and
appliances
Staff time
Long
Work with East Palo Alto on Building Reuse Center and create jobs Comment noted
Cubberley C&D collection center Not recommended
Need a building materials reuse center Included in #45
General Survey Comments
Reasons for not reducing, reusing, recycling or composting more:
Confusion on what is recyclable
No incentive to sort properly
Inconvenience (there is no recycling container near where material is
generated)
Lack of space
Concern about recycling personal documents
Too busy to separate waste
Zero Waste is not a priority.
Comments noted
3-1
ATTACHMENT 3
ASSUMPTIONS AND CALCULATIONS
Results from the Palo Alto 2017 Waste Characterization Study were used to estimate the
diversion potential for each initiative. This study evaluated samples from each generator sector:
residential, multifamily, and commercial (including commercial front-load, commercial roll-off,
and hospitals). The samples were characterized by material type. The percentages of each
material type and the total tons by material type were estimated for each generator sector.
To estimate the diversion potential of each initiative in this plan, a “capture rate” by material
type was determined. For example, enforcement of the mandatory ordinance for commercial
front-load generators was estimated to divert 25% of the clean flattened cardboard from
commercial garbage to commercial recycling. This would result in an additional 20 tons of
material diverted from disposal annually. It is possible that implementation of this program will
result in much higher capture rates. However, conservative assumptions were used for these
calculations. The City will be able to refine this analysis once it has fully implemented each
program.
The U.S. EPA Waste Assessment Model (WARM) was used to estimate the potential reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions anticipated to be achieved through implementation of each initiative.
WARM identifies the metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) reduced by material
type for each ton diverted from disposal. For example, the 20 tons of flattened cardboard from
commercial front-load customers that is diverted from disposal annually through enforcement of
the mandatory commercial recycling ordinance is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by 3.4498 MTCO2e per ton or 69 MTCO2e per year.
A sample calculation for commercial front-load generators is included in this attachment.
3-2
GHG
Emissions
Factors
Commercial Front-Load
12.C1. Mandatory ordinance enforcement for commercial
Material
Est. Est.
MTCO2e Percent + / - Tons Capture Rate Tons Captured MTC2e Reduced
Paper 32.4% 1,865
3.4498 Clean, Flattened, Uncoated OCC 1.4% 0.4% 80 25% 20 69
3.4498 Clean, Unflattened, Uncoated OCC 0.7% 0.3% 38 25% 10 33
1.9084 Newspaper 1.0% 0.5% 60 25% 15 29
4.6242 Other Clean Paper 10.2% 1.8% 587 25% 147 678
1.9084 Paper Tissue & Towels 11.9% 1.7% 684 25% 171 326
1.9084 Other Soiled Uncoated Fiber 0.8% 0.3% 47 25% 12 23
3.4498 Coated OCC 0.1% 0.1% 8 25% 2 7
1.9084 Other Coated Paper 1.1% 0.3% 66 25% 16 31
1.9084 Gable Top Cartons 0.2% 0.1% 11 0 0
1.9084 Aseptics 0.2% 0.1% 11 0 0
1.9084 Paper Takeout Containers 0.9% 0.4% 52 25% 13 25
1.9084 Coated Paper Cups 1.9% 0.5% 111 0 0
3.4498 Pizza Boxes 0.2% 0.2% 14 25% 3 12
1.9084 Other Composite Paper 1.7% 0.4% 98 0 0
Plastic 17.0% 977
1.5781 #1 PETE Plastic Packaging 1.2% 0.2% 67 25% 17 27
1.4313 #2 HDPE Plastic Packaging 0.6% 0.2% 32 25% 8 12
1.5781 Expanded #6 Products & Packaging 1.3% 0.5% 72 0 0
1.5781 Other #3-7 Plastic Packaging 1.4% 0.3% 83 25% 21 33
1.5781 Durable Plastic Products 1.2% 0.3% 70 25% 18 28
1.5781 Plastic Takeout Containers 0.4% 0.1% 26 0 0
1.7616 Compostable Plastic Bags 0.1% 0.1% 6 25% 2 3
1.7616 Other Compostable Plastic 0.2% 0.1% 14 25% 4 6
1.7616 Recyclable Film Plastic 2.1% 0.5% 121 0 0
1.7616 Flexible Plastic Pouches 0.1% 0.1% 7 0 0
1.7616 Other Composite Film Plastics 0.2% 0.1% 12 0 0
3-3
GHG
Emissions
Factors
Commercial Front-Load
12.C1. Mandatory ordinance enforcement for commercial
Material
Est. Est.
MTCO2e Percent + / - Tons Capture Rate Tons Captured MTC2e Reduced
1.5781 Other Plastic 8.1% 1.3% 465 0 0
Glass 2.6% 152
0.3303 Glass Bottles & Jars 1.6% 0.4% 91 25% 23 8
0.3303 Blue or Red Glass Bottles & Jars 0.0% 0.0% 0 25% 0 0
0.3303 Other Non-Composite Glass 0.9% 1.2% 53 0 0
0.3303 Other Composite Glass 0.1% 0.2% 8 0 0
Metal 2.4% 138
13.7258 Aluminum Cans & Foil 0.5% 0.2% 30 25% 7 102
5.2848 Other Non-Ferrous Metal 0.0% 0.0% 2 25% 1 3
1.835 Steel Cans & Lids 0.5% 0.2% 29 25% 7 13
1.835 Appliances 0.2% 0.3% 9 0 0
1.835 Other Ferrous Metal 0.7% 0.3% 41 25% 10 19
5.2848 Other Composite Metal 0.5% 0.3% 27 0 0
Organics 22.4% 1,293
-0.1468 Plant Trimmings 3.5% 2.4% 200 25% 50 -7
0.8808 Edible Food Scraps 8.0% 1.3% 458 25% 115 101
0.8808 Inedible Food Scraps 8.2% 1.5% 474 25% 118 104
0.8808 Other Compostable Organics 0.5% 0.7% 29 25% 7 6
0.8808 Diapers 1.4% 0.9% 80 0 0
0.8808 Animal Feces & Litter 0.9% 1.1% 52 0 0
0.8808 Other Organics 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
C&D Debris 10.4% 600
1.9451 Clean Wood 1.6% 1.3% 95 0 0
1.9451 Clean Engineered Wood 0.5% 0.5% 27 0 0
1.9451 Painted Wood 0.6% 0.3% 36 0 0
1.9451 Treated Wood 0.2% 0.2% 9 0 0
0.0367 Inerts 2.9% 2.8% 167 0 0
0.0367 Clean Gypsum 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
0.0367 Painted Gypsum 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
0.0367 Roofing 1.0% 1.2% 59 0 0
0.3303 C&D Glass 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
7.2666 Carpet 1.4% 1.9% 80 0 0
3-4
GHG
Emissions
Factors
Commercial Front-Load
12.C1. Mandatory ordinance enforcement for commercial
Material
Est. Est.
MTCO2e Percent + / - Tons Capture Rate Tons Captured MTC2e Reduced
0.3303 Fiberglass Insulation 0.0% 0.0% 1 0 0
0.0367 Other C&D 2.2% 1.9% 126 0 0
Hazardous 4.4% 255
2.3121 Electronics 0.0% 0.0% 1 0 0
Paint 0.0% 0.0% 2 0 0
Batteries 0.0% 0.0% 2 0 0
Non-Empty Aerosol Cans 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
Mercury Lamps 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
Pesticides 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
Cleaning Products 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
Motor Oil 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
Oil & Fuel Filters 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
Untreated Medical Waste 3.1% 1.4% 177 0 0
Treated Medical Waste 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
1.7616 Blue Wrap 0.1% 0.2% 6 0 0
Medicine 0.1% 0.1% 6 0 0
1.7616 Cold Packs 1.0% 0.8% 58 0 0
Other Hazardous 0.0% 0.0% 2 0 0
Other Materials 8.4% 482 0 0
7.2666 Mattresses 0.8% 1.0% 45 0 0
1.9451 Furniture 2.2% 1.9% 124 0 0
1.8717 Tires & Rubber 1.3% 0.8% 78 0 0
7.2666 Textiles & Leather 3.1% 1.3% 177 0 0
1.5781 Non-Metal Appliances 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0
Fines 0.7% 0.2% 40 0 0
Other Materials 0.3% 0.2% 19 0 0
Total 5,762 14% 816 1689
Note that this initiative also addresses multifamily, commercial roll-off and hospital generators, so the total diversion potential of
this initiative is approximately 2070 tons diverted from landfill and 4400 MTCO2e of greenhouse gas emissions reduced per year.