Here you can get the latest tips and explore new ideas about zero waste.

Zero Waste Essentials During Shelter-at-Home

Posted on April 30, 2020

During this challenging time, moving toward zero waste may not be at the top of our to-do lists. The COVID-19 restrictions — such as reducing trips to the store, the ban on reusable bags and cups, and the closing of drop-off facilities — present multiple challenges to our usual waste reduction habits. But it is still possible — and desirable! — to waste as little as possible as we strive to stay healthy and sane. Below are tips to encourage waste prevention, reuse, and proper recycling as we all shelter at home.

leftovers in containers1. Prevent Food Waste

These days we may be buying more at each trip to the store, so we don’t go as often. We are preparing most, if not all meals, at home. It is more important than ever to shop smart, store food correctly, understand expiration dates, and use up what we have at home before it spoils.

See this page for more tips on food waste prevention.

 

2. Deliver Bags and Boxes to the Right Place

As we order more online and temporarily can’t use our reusable bags at stores, paper and plastic bags and cardboard boxes are piling up! Here’s what you can do:

cardboard boxesStore and reuse bags:

  • Paper bags can hold kitchen scraps for compost.
  • Plastic bags are not recyclable in your curbside cart. Use them to store fruit and vegetables in the fridge and to dispose of pet waste.

  • Many shoppers are choosing, when possible, to just put their items back into their cart or basket without taking a bag, and then pack up items in their car or bicycle.
  •  

Reuse or recycle cardboard boxes:

  • Keep those boxes to store the items planned for donation (see below).
  • Break down delivery boxes and fit into recycling bins, making sure the lid closes.

box of items for donation3. Spring Cleaning? Collect, Sort and Store

After staying at home for weeks, you may be more aware of clutter and be moved to remove! During the shelter-at-home order, many facilities for drop-off and donation are closed or reducing services, including those that collect paint, batteries, bulbs, hazardous waste and e-waste. At this time, it’s best to collect, sort and store your no-longer-needed items to take for reuse, recycling and donation after we get the all-clear.

Goodwill is open for sales online and offers contact-free donation centers in Mill Valley and Novato only. Learn more.

See resources for how to recycle here..

flower pots for donation4. Zero Waste Yard Work

Some of us have more time these days to spend in the yard and garden. Here are some tips:

  • Yard and garden waste, such as clippings, flowers, grass and leaves, can go in your green cart.
  • Maybe now’s the time to start composting at home! See tips here.
  • Time to move along those tired pots or that statue that no longer appeals? Place them in your “to donate” box and find them a new home when the stay-at-home is lifted.
  • Some things never change! Pet waste should always, always go in the garbage.

Hang in there, Marin! Thanks for keeping Zero Waste essential!

New Veggie Box Program Delivers Nutrition, Prevents Waste

Posted on April 16, 2020
While schools are closed, a new veggie box program from the San Pedro School Farm feeds families.

Marin schools are shut down, and so are school lunch programs. But fresh vegetables from the San Pedro School Farm that used to go to school kitchens are still helping Marin families get the wholesome nutrition they need. That’s thanks to a new program by nonprofit Sanzuma, which manages the farm and is now selling boxes filled with freshly harvested organic produce to Marin residents on a subscription basis. The income will enable Sanzuma to continue their core mission of teaching nutrition classes and helping schools grow their own fresh produce once schools reopen.

“In normal times our healthy greens would feed hundreds of students each week, and we know families out there need it,” says Sanzuma’s Executive Director Lori Davis. “This box program is a great alternative to shopping in grocery stores, and is our way to continue to feed our community. Besides, it would be a shame for all these wonderful veggies to go to waste.”

Sanzuma‘s commitment to zero waste extends to packaging as well. Each week’s produce delivery arrives at the pickup location in durable, reusable plastic totes. After customers transfer the contents into their own bags or boxes, the totes go back to Sanzuma to be thoroughly washed and sanitized before the they’re filled again.

zwm bags
Zero Waste Marin supports Sanzuma’s work in low income schools, including nutrition education, school farms and meal programs.

Like most Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, Sanzuma’s boxes contain a mix of whatever produce is currently in season, but with a twist: an occasional wellness gift, like hand-made soaps, teas and flowers. “During this tough time, we need healthy food, but we need something for the soul as well,” says Davis. In addition, one box is donated to a family in need every other week.

The program has already been a huge success, with all subscription slots filled for now. Sanzuma is already thinking about how to scale up and plans to keep the veggie boxes going even when school deliveries are possible again. To get on the waiting list and to learn more about Sanzuma’s work with Marin schools, visit www.sanzuma.org.

Congrats, Zero Waste Schools!

Posted on March 25, 2020
teacher with kids in front of recycling bins
Tomales Elementary students learn about their school’s recycling stations as part of the Zero Waste Schools Program.

Twenty-nine of Marin’s 49 public K-12 schools are enrolled in the Zero Waste Schools Program, and more are coming on board every year.

At these schools, students and staff conduct a waste assessment, learn about proper sorting and set up a comprehensive recycling and composting program. Funded by Zero Waste Marin, the Zero Waste Schools Program provides containers for indoor and outdoor discard stations as well as other equipment at no cost to the school. They also train teachers and staff, help with green team coordination and other ongoing zero waste activities. Schools that achieve their goals are certified and awarded with recognition and up to $2,500 in cash. To date, nine schools have been recognized.

Zero Waste School students learn important life lessons and keep waste out of the landfill. For example, Laurel Dell Elementary in San Rafael, one of the first schools to join the program in 2015, has increased the amount of waste that’s recycled or composted from 20% to 50%! That’s a win for the environment and helps reduce the school’s garbage bill. Every dollar not spent on waste is a dollar that can be better used educating our kids.

To learn more about the Zero Waste Schools Program, visit www.ZeroWasteMarin.org/Schools.

Questions and Responses to Zero Waste Strategic Planning and Organizational Assessment RFP

Posted on December 4, 2019

Question 1 of 2: 

We have the 1996 Joint Powers Agreement. Are there any other governing documents that describe the JPA structure, roles, and functions that you can provide?

Response 1 of 2:

There are no additional, significant governing documents.

Question 2 of 2:

The RFP requests three references. Would Zero Waste Marin accept a proposal that includes more than three references?

Response 2 of 2:

We ask that you keep the reference list to your best and most relevant three.

 

Reusable Takeout Container Partnership Launches Dec. 7

Posted on December 3, 2019

Join the City of San Rafael and Whole Foods Market San Rafael to celebrate the launch of a new reusable takeout container program called GO BOX. From noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, you can sign up for the program and try the containers on-site! There will also be perks and prizes, including a $100 Whole Foods gift certificate to one lucky participant. Come be an early adopter and show off your commitment to a Zero Waste goal! Hope to see you at the booth!

What: GO BOX Reusable Container Launch Event

When: Saturday, Dec. 7, noon – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Whole Foods San Rafael, 340 Third Street, San Rafael

DEA National Drug Takeback Day is October 26!

Posted on October 22, 2019

The 2019 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day takes place Saturday, October 26, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. See below for Marin County locations.

PARTICIPANTS NAME COLLECTION SITE ADDRESS CITY STATE, ZIP
If you do not find a collection site near you, please check back frequently, sites are added every day.
FAIRFAX POLICE DEPARTMENT FAIRFAX POLICE DEPARTMENT 144 BOLINAS RD FAIRFAX CA, 94930 Map
SAN RAFAEL POLICE DEPARTMENT SAN RAFAEL POLICE DEPARTMENT 1400 FIFTH AVE., SAN RAFAEL CA, 94901 Map
CENTRAL MARIN POLICE AUTHORITY CENTRAL MARIN POLICE AUTHORITY 250 DOHERTY DRIVE LARKSPUR CA, 94939 Map
NOVATO PD NOVATO POLICE DEPARTMENT 909 MACHIN AVE NOVATO CA, 94945 Map
CENTRAL MARIN POLICE AUTHORITY CENTRAL MARIN POLICE AUTHORITY
SAN ANSELMO STATION
525 SAN ANSELMO AVENUE SAN ANSELMO CA, 94960 Map
MARIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MARINWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT 777 MILLER CREEK RD SAN RAFAEL CA, 94903 Map

First Annual Zero Waste Schools Program Awards Event

Posted on October 14, 2019

Please join us for our inaugural Awards Ceremony celebrating the hard work of students, teachers, and staff from many of our Marin schools. These schools are working hard to reduce waste and recycle right. We’d like to thank them!

Click here for more information.

 

Request for Proposal

Posted on July 3, 2019

Zero Waste Marin is seeking qualified applicants to assist with Public Outreach and Education. Please see the attached RFP.

For answers to all submitted questions, please click here.

FREE Recycling & Composting Workshop

Posted on May 8, 2019
Composting.

Please join us at the Corte Madera Community Center from 10:00am to 12:00pm on May 18th.

If you are confused about recycling or want to learn how to compost at home, please join us! Chance to win a compost bin! Click here for more information.