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Environment - Recycling & Garbage - Events & Venues

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1. What do events have to do to comply with regulations?

Events in San José of certain sizes and types are subject to requirements established by CA Assembly Bill 2176 (Public Resource Code 42648) and San José Municipal Code Section 9.10.1445. These requirements include pre-event reporting, post-event reporting, recycling requirements and food and beverage product requirements. In addition, merchandize vendors at events are also considered retailers and must comply with the Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance which took effect January 1, 2012. View policies and reporting requirements

2. How do events held on City owned property order dumpsters?

Events need to complete the Zero Waste Event Application 45 days prior to the event date. Go to the Zero Waste Event Application

3. What free resources and grants are available to events offered through the Zero Waste Event Program?

At this time, the Zero Waste Event Program is not offering grants. Instead, free in-kind services for equipment, dumpsters and staffing services are offered to qualifying events that meet the requirements. Qualifying events are events that are held in San José on City property, are open to the public, and expect more than 500 daily attendees. To receive any of these in-kind services, events must implement the following requirements and complete the Zero Waste Event Application at least 45 calendar days prior to the event:

• Vendors, caterers and samplers are required to use the food & beverage products in the Food & Beverage Products: The Do’s & Don’ts of Sustainable Selection.


• Use dumpsters ordered via the Zero Waste Event Application (or receive donated dumpster service from an approved hauler). If choosing donated service, the event is required to submit weight tags within 10 days of the event.


• Use City loaned Eco-stations (order via the Zero Waste Event Application). These are specially designed receptacles for recycling, compost & trash collection.


• Announce the three messages listed in the Stage Announcements at an event stage during each day of your event.

Learn more about qualifying events & requirements

4. How can events borrow Eco-station containers and reusable public litter can covers?

Events need to complete the Zero Waste Event Application 45 days prior to the event date. Go to the Zero Waste Event Application

5. How do events apply for the free in-kind services offered through the Zero Waste Event Program?

Events need to complete the Zero Waste Event Application 45 days prior to the event date. Go to the Zero Waste Event Application

6. How do events complete the required pre-event plan?

Events need to complete the required pre-event plan in the Zero Waste Event Application 45 days prior to the event date. The Zero Waste Event Application is an event's principal means of communicating materials management information to the City and request assistance and equipment. Go to the Zero Waste Event Application

7. What Food & Beverage products are prohibited for event use?

To find out which cups, plates, bowls, utensils, etc. are acceptable for use at events and which ones are not, see our reference sheet, Food & Beverage Products: The Do’s and Don’ts of Sustainable Selection. Go to the Do’s and Don’ts of Sustainable Selection

8. What dumpster service providers can events use?

All events taking place on City property are required to utilize the City's contracted hauler, Green Team of San Jose for all non-donated hauling and processing services. To order these services, complete the Zero Waste Event Application 45 days prior to the event date. Donated dumpster service providers or haulers need to be one of the San José residential haulers (Garden City Sanitation, California Waste Solutions, Green Team of San Jose, or Green Waste Recovery) or the City's commercial hauler, Republic Services. If choosing donated service, the event is required to submit weight tags within 10 days of the event. Go to the Zero Waste Event Application