WHAT IS ZERO WASTE?
Zero Waste is a goal which requires the designing and managing of products and processes to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials and to conserve and recover all resources. In the 2008 study issue process, Council ranked the Zero Waste study issue as fourth for the Public Works Department. Staff held several community meetings to get ideas and input, then developed a staff report that went to Council on December 9, 2008. At that meeting, Council adopted the Zero Waste Policy developed by staff and asked staff to move forward with a Zero Waste Strategic Plan which included both a waste characterization study and a long-term plan.

WASTE CHARACTERIZATION PLAN
The cities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View recently coordinated efforts (with the goal of saving costs) on a comprehensive waste characterization study of incoming solid waste from residential, commercial and construction/demolition (C&D) sources from the two cities. The waste was analyzed prior to being sorted out at the SMaRT Station so it doesn’t reflect the additional amount of waste that gets diverted after sorting (18-25%).

Results from the study showed that 76% of the overall waste stream are recyclable or compostable (34% recyclable, 42% compostable) and that the remainer is material that would be very difficult to recycle (i.e., diapers, treated lumber, food service plastic, carpet padding).

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