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Zero waste is a perception change. It requires rethinking what we have traditionally regarded as garbage and treating all materials as valued resources instead of items to discard. Zero waste entails shifting consumption patterns, more carefully managing purchases, and maximizing the reuse of materials at the end of their useful life. Achieving zero waste entails encouraging San José, its residents, and its businesses to reevaluate what we view as waste.
 The Zero Waste Strategic Plan is a roadmap for achieving Green Vision Goal #5, including analysis of the San José’s current wastestream, and descriptions of the policies, programs and facilities that will be needed to bring the City to zero waste.
Implementation of the Zero Waste Plan
As actions are taken to implement the Zero Waste Strategic Plan, new documents and updates will be posted in the following areas:
Commercial Program
Redesign of commercial program will allow capture of more recyclables and compostables, as well as greater service and rate equity for businesses.
Residential Program
New contracts will provide opportunities to implement program enhancements to capture more materials and compost food waste. See Organics Diversion
Construction and Demolition Program
Large amounts of material and heavy tonnages make improvements to the construction and demolition system a key target for diversion.
Facilities and Conversion Technology
Maximizing sorting and conversion technology will allow the City to capture food and other hard to recycle materials.
Policy and Legislation
Changes to state and local policies are needed to change the material flows and create incentives for diversion.
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San José’s Zero Waste Strategic Plan
Visit the Zero Waste Strategic Plan web page to download the plan, appendices and Staff Report (T&E Memo).
The appendices were generated for San José to inform the development of the Strategic Plan and are linked below:
- Needs Assessment
Projects quantities and characterization of City waste and recommendations for increased diversion.
- Infrastructure Report
Reviews waste management facilities including landfills, transfer stations, and recycling facilities and identifies future needs.
- Financial Analysis
Summarizes City solid waste fees and taxes and identifies alternatives to replace existing revenues.
- Stakeholder Outreach
Describes process for stakeholder involvement to redesign commercial solid waste system and carryout bag policy initiatives.
- Conversion Technology
Evaluates energy conversion technologies for possible future implementation.
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