Our community is working hard toward its goal of Zero Waste (virtually no waste burned or buried) by 2021.
All sectors of our community – residents, schools, businesses and nonprofits – have taken action to help. We’re all reducing our impact on the environment and paving the way for a Zero Waste future. This section provides information to keep you up to date on our community’s progress and perhaps even help you find more ways to join in the effort.
Quicklinks
How Are We Doing?
Waste Composition
How Is My Neighborhood Doing?
How Are We Doing?
In 2014 our:
- Diversion rate was 80%
- Residents disposed an average of 3.6 pounds of solid waste per person per day (Californians averaged 4.5 pppd)
Our numbers have improved from 2014, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to Zero Waste. Keep up the good work!
While participation in our recycling and composting programs is crucial to reducing our waste, it’s even better to prevent waste from being created in the first place. Reduce your waste by purchasing in bulk, reusing and repairing items, or eliminating junk mail through opt-out lists. Find more information on ways to reduce your waste and your impact on our environment here.
For years we have used Diversion Rate (i.e., material diverted from landfills) as our metric to know how we are doing on our waste reduction and resource conservation goals. However, the state has moved away from this metric and is now using Pounds of Solid Waste per Person per Day. We’re showing both on this page as we transition to the new metric.
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Waste Composition
What's in your garbage?
A new waste composition study was done for Palo Alto in 2013. It found that we have been able to reduce the amount of recyclables in our garbage, but there is room for improvement. Approximately 32% of what the community throws in the garbage is recyclable! Another large section of our waste stream is compostable - approximately 38%. Click here to view our
2013 Waste Characterization Study.
It's up to us to work together to achieve Zero Waste by 2021, and maximizing our current recycling program is an excellent way to start. Go to our
What Goes Where Tools webpage to learn more about our recycling and composting programs and figure out ‘What Goes Where'.
Palo Alto's Garbage Composition 2013
These items were all found in the garbage - NOT the recycling.
Palo Alto's Garbage Composition 2005
These items were all found in the garbage - NOT the recycling.
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How Is My Neighborhood Doing?
We’re all working hard to reduce the amount of stuff we send to the landfill, but have you ever wondered how you compare to your neighbors? This map is designed to give you a pretty good idea. It shows the percentage of households by neighborhood that have put themselves at the forefront of the effort by switching to mini-can garbage service.
We’ve chosen mini-cans to measure our residential progress because Zero Waste efforts include waste prevention, reuse and recycling. As we increase our efforts on all these fronts we will throw fewer and fewer resources in the garbage. Mini-cans are the smallest garbage cans offered, holding only 20 gallons. Subscription to the smallest garbage service level is an indication of how well we are fairing on reducing, reusing and recycling.
Can your neighborhood ‘go green’ (have 50% of the households subscribe to mini-can service)? It’s not as hard as you might think. According to the 2005 Palo Alto Waste Composition Study, approximately 43% of what the community throws in the garbage is recyclable! Paper alone comprises 14% (11, 200 tons). Many residents may be able to change their service level now, just by putting their waste items in the proper cart. Our What Goes Where Tools webpage can help you learn more about our recycling and composting programs and figure out ‘What Goes Where.’
Switching to a mini can will not only reduce the amount of garbage you send to the landfill, you’ll also save money! If you would like to change your service level, contact GreenWaste of Palo Alto by emailing PAcustomerservice@greenwaste.com or by calling (650) 493-4894.
Percentage of Households with Mini-Can Garbage Service by Neighborhood
Updated September 25,2015 - Click to view as a pdf
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Last Updated: Oct 1, 2015
