Zero Waste Palo Alto

Home
United States
Palo Alto, CA
Zero Waste Palo Alto

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Achieving zero waste together and protecting the environment

10/30/2026

Make your pumpkins rise from the dead! Putting your pumpkins, squash, gourds, and other organic decorations into the green compost container when it’s time to dispose gives them a second life and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Don’t forget to remove candles and non-compostable items first! Find more waste sorting info at, www.paloalto.gov/wgwtools

10/28/2026

Linens, chairs, and electronics galore — don’t throw them out, they can live once more! The next time you’re clearing out the clutter choose to donate instead of dispose to rescue items from the landfill. You can easily search for donation locations and repair stores in our area by visiting the Re:Source tool! Find this wonderful search tool at, resource.stopwaste.org

10/23/2026

From the grocery store to the department store, we buy a lot of STUFF. Look for ways to reduce waste when you shop such as buying from bulk bins, bringing reusable bags, choosing items with less packaging, and purchasing bulk-sized products instead of single-serving sizes. Find more ways you can reduce waste at, www.paloalto.gov/zwliving

10/21/2026

What a wonderful resource for businesses! The City’s waste hauler, GreenWaste of Palo Alto, can help your business or multi-family residence reach Zero Waste requirements by offering free on-site waste sorting training for your staff, waste audits and cost saving assessments, posters and signage, and more! Reach out to GreenWaste of Palo Alto today and schedule free technical assistance for your business at, www.greenwaste.com/palo-alto/commercial

10/16/2026

Get to know your expiration dates. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has established new requirements for expiration date labeling on foods except eggs and infant formula. The term “sell by” can no longer be used. Acceptable date labeling terms include “best if used by” or “best if used or frozen by” which indicate food quality — not safety, meaning they may be safely edible for weeks after the printed date. “Use by” or “use or freeze by” can be shown to indicate when food is no longer safe to eat. See if your food is actually spoiled before throwing it away! Find more food waste reduction tips at, www.paloalto.gov/foodwaste

10/14/2026

Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers — none of these can be disposed of in your curbside collection containers. If you have leftover products that cannot be used, bring them to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Station for safe disposal. We make it easy to do the right thing! Find more info and other ways to help meet the City’s sustainability goals at, www.paloalto.gov/HHW

10/09/2026

Leaf season is here, which means weekly street sweeping is back! Starting on October 19, and continuing through mid-February, streets in Palo Alto will be swept on a weekly basis. Please help keep our streets and neighborhoods clean by:
1. Parking your car off the street on your designated weekly sweep day
2. Placing your leaves and yard trimmings in your green compost cart instead of the street. It is illegal to place leaves in the street
3. Raking leaves off storm drain grates during rains to prevent flooding
Find your street sweeping schedule and more information at, www.paloalto.gov/streetsweeping

10/07/2026

From caped crusaders to spooky spiders, from fairies to firemen—let the costumes rise again! Instead of letting last year’s Halloween gear gather cobwebs, bring it to the Scare Faire to donate, swap, and give those costumes a second life. Preventing these costumes from going to the landfill directly contributes to the City’s sustainability goals. It will be hosted by Transition Palo Alto on Saturday, October 10, 1-3pm. It’s not just for the kids – adult costumes are welcome too! Find more details at, https://bit.ly/scarefaire2026

10/02/2026

It’s Palo Alto’s last free compost basics workshop of the year! Learn how easy it can be to turn your food scraps and yard trimmings into compost in your own backyard on Saturday, October 10, 10am – noon at Eleanor Pardee Community Garden, 851 Center Dr. Pre-registration is required, so don’t hesitate to sign up and learn a valuable skill! Sign up and learn more at, www.paloalto.gov/compost

09/30/2026

This week, September 28 - October 4, is Food Waste Prevention Week! What a great time to incorporate a new practice in your household to reduce food waste and help the City meet its sustainability goals! Got spinach that's looking a little down in the dumps? Don’t dump it — bake it! Fall season is returning and with it a timely way to use those “not-so-fresh” veggies in casseroles, frittatas, or pot pies. Shop your kitchen first and use recipes like these to rescue foods. It's an easy way to cut down on food waste and still enjoy delicious meals! Find more food waste reduction tips at, www.paloalto.gov/foodwaste

Address

P. O. Box 10250
Palo Alto, CA
94303

Telephone

+16504965910

Website

http://www.zerowastepaloalto.org/, http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Zero Waste Palo Alto posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.