Position Available: Executive Director, Zero Waste Marin

Posted on October 28, 2022

position description cover shotThe Executive Director of the Marin Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority (Zero Waste Marin) will report to the twelve-member JPA Board of Directors and ensure communication and coordination are effectively administered between the Board of Directors, member agencies, franchisors, stakeholders, and the community. As a hands on manager, skilled administrator, and leader of people, the position will apply innovation, creativity, and experience in solid waste diversion, zero waste initiatives, and regulatory oversight to advance the vision of the Board, its members, and the Authority.

The position is responsible for developing and implementing the County’s Regional Integrated Waste Management Plan and administering the Marin Countywide Hazardous Waste Management Plan. Through the vision and direction of the Board, the position will lead and oversee the development and administration of programs to reduce disposal in landfills, promote recycling, and promote and support the proper handling of household hazardous wastes.

Application Period closes November 14, 2022
Interviews: Week of December 4-10, 2022

View and download the complete position description and application procedure here.

Celebrate ExtraFood’s Fall Festival, Oct. 23

Posted on September 30, 2022

ExtraFood is an organization working o end hunger and wasted food in the North Bay. They rescue excess fresh food from businesses, schools, and gardens and immediately deliver it to people facing food insecurity. You are invited to:

ExtraFood’s Fall Festival
Sunday, October 23, 2:30pm
Marin Food Mart, 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur

The Festival will be a celebration of community connection, and a chance to grow support of ExtraFood’s critical food recovery and gleaning programs, which rescue and redistribute nearly 1 million pounds of fresh food from local businesses, schools, hospitals, farms, and yards every year.

Tickets include:

  • Delicious food donated by Marinita’s and Insalata’s restaurants
  • Local beer and wine plus a signature cocktail
  • Silent auction items and prizes
  • Kid’s fall craft making
  • Sponsor a Food Rescue Trip
  • Live music
  • Community building, food waste prevention and composting tips, and more.

Purchase tickets here.

FREE Recycling Collection Event, July 30 in San Rafael

Posted on July 14, 2022

Conservation Corps North Bay is holding a FREE Recycling Collection event on July 30th. Items including small electronics and appliances, microwaves, cell phones and “stereo” equipment are accepted for recycling:

Saturday, July 30, 2022 10:00am – 2:00pm
San Rafael High School
150 Third St. San Rafael 94901

NO appointment needed to drop off e-waste.

To drop off used tires, call 707-285-2200 to make an appointment.

NO hazardous waste accepted.
See the full list of accepted items here.

event poster

Let’s Talk Trash on March 15

Posted on March 8, 2022

meetup invite

You are invited to an educational meetup, “Let’s Talk Trash: How to Sort your Waste and Why” on March 15 on Zoom.

On Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30pm, representatives from Mill Valley Refuse and Zero Waste Marin will join Sustainable Mill Valley for a conversation about sorting our waste and minimizing what gets sent to the landfill. We will hear from Gene Della Zoppa, Dave Biggio and Matt Willemsen of Mill Valley Refuse, along with Andrew Shelton of Zero Waste Marin.

To receive the link to the meetup, please RSVP to team@sustainablemillvalley.com

Join the Living Lightly Meetup with Green Change

Posted on February 12, 2021

Would you like to learn how to live sustainably?

Join the Living Lightly Meetup with Green Change on Monday, February 22, from 6 to 7:30pm PT.

This free Zoom event will feature talks by these climate action leaders:

You will learn about simple, low-cost actions you can take in your daily life, such as: eat sustainably, consume less, shop wisely, use less plastic, reduce your waste and walk or bike more.

PLEASE REGISTER HERE:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/living-lightly-green-change-meetup-tickets-136754549539

Green Change will email you the address of this Zoom meetup when you register.

This commmunity event is hosted by Green Change director Fabrice Florin, with Marilyn Price, Bridget Mazzini and Al Grumet. If you have any questions, please email team@greenchange.net.

 

One Marin Business’s Success with Composting Compliance

Posted on December 8, 2020

A new state law, AB 1826, requires all businesses and multi-family residences of 5 or more units producing over 2 cubic yards of solid waste to subscribe to composting. The attached case study shows how Sessions Rise, a 73-unit group of condos, came into compliance with the help of one resident, her HOA and Marin Sanitary Service. Key to the success of the program were clear signage and use of distributed, smaller collection bins to ensure that every resident is just a brief walk from proper disposal.

Download the brief case study below and see additional case studies here: https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/green-business-highlights/

Sessions Rise Case study cover mage

On the Way to Plastic Free! Screening and Discussion

Posted on November 17, 2020

West Marin Climate Action is partnering with Environmental Action Committee, Zero Waste Marin and Black Mountain Beauty to offer a virtual screening of two important films about the expanding plastic industry, the crisis of plastic pollution and the effect it has on the health of people and the planet.

poster for plastic free filmYou are invited to watch at your leisure the films “The Story of Plastic” and “Plastic Wars” between November 28 and December 3. Links to the films will be provided upon registration. Then, join us on December 3 for a safe discussion via Zoom on how to disrupt the consumption of plastic, locally and globally. Come and hear from local experts:

  • Garen Kazanjian of Recology Sonoma Marin, Zero Waste Specialist
  • Eva Holman of Upstream Solutions, Policy Coordinator
  • Martin Bourque of Berkeley Ecology Center, Executive Director (Martin Bourque was featured in “The Story of Plastic”)

Presentations will be followed by time for Q&A. The FREE event will end with a Call to Action discussion and shared resource links.

Register for the event HERE.

Download flyer in English.

Download flyer in Spanish.

Used Motor Oil and Filter Recycling Kit Available

Posted on October 23, 2020

oil filter and drain pan

Español

ZeroWasteMarin’s used motor oil and filter recycling kit is a free, convenient way to recycle used oil and filters and reduce mess during oil changes.

The kit includes a dual filter drainer, a 6-quart drain pan and a shop rag.  A list of all the used motor oil and filter collection centers in Marin County is included. This list can also be found here.

Click here to request your FREE kit today.

Your kit will be delivered to your door within 72 hours.

Available while supplies last. (excludes the City of Novato)


Kit para el Reciclaje de Aceite y Filtros Usados de Motor Están Disponibles

El kit para el reciclaje de aceite y filtros usados de motor que provee ZeroWasteMarin.org ofrece una manera gratuita y conveniente de reciclar el aceite y los filtros usados, y también reduce los derrames que puedan ocurrir al hacer el cambio de aceite.

El kit incluye un drenador de doble filtro, una bandeja de drenaje de 6 cuartos y un trapo para limpiar el aceite derramado. También incluye una lista de todos los centros de recolección de aceite y filtros usados de motor en el Condado de Marin. Esta lista también se puede encontrar aquí.

¡Solicite su kit GRATUITO hoy mismo!

Tu kit será llevado a tu puerta en menos de 5 días laborales.

Disponible hasta agotar existencias (excluye la ciudad de Novato)

calrecycle and oil recycle logos

 

 

Composting Class October 14th, 2020

Posted on September 29, 2020
Worms Make it Happen
This is an online event offered through the Marin County Free Library via Zoom.
See website for more information: http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/

Program: Learn how wiggly little worms will turn your kitchen scraps into wonderful compost and compost tea. If you live in a small space or would like a new composting option, this class will teach you composting in a plastic tub, and other techniques. Make this a family project, children of all ages welcome.

 

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!