Waste reduction Team
The Waste Reduction Team’s goal is to minimize climate pollutants associated with organic and inorganic waste. We work with policymakers and community partners to advocate and educate on actions that will reduce waste and the climate pollutants produced.
Reusable Foodware and Waste Reduction Ordinance
Waste Reduction Team members drafted a Reusable Foodware and Waste Reduction Ordinance aimed at reducing waste and diverting organic waste from landfills. The ordinance was approved by the Climate Action Committee and adopted by the Board of Supervisors for the unincorporated county in November 2024. We’re working on and looking forward to adoption by the cities and towns in 2026.
The County’s ordinance requires restaurants, mobile food, special events, individuals, and any establishment serving retail food to customers to use reusable foodware for dine-in and provide compostable foodware for takeout. The ordinance went into effect on January 1, 2026.
Benefits of Reusable Foodware
- Businesses can save money, as shown in the CA Green Business Network study.
- Environmental benefits include less waste sent to landfills and less litter in our waterways, and the conservation of energy, water, and raw materials used in the production of single-use items.
- Reduction of climate pollutants, including methane, by reducing food waste sent to landfills and by reducing the manufacture of single-use plastic ware from fossil fuels.
Reusable Foodware Grant
Napa Climate NOW! is combining efforts with Napa Valley CanDo to offer food service businesses in Napa County grant money to purchase reusable foodware and begin the transition from disposable (single-use) to reusable foodware. Grants are available for up to $500. After acceptance of grant application, Napa Climate NOW! will conduct a site visit and purchase your desired reusable foodware per your specifications.
To apply click here
Para solicitar en español, haz clic aquí
Teaching Recycling in the Schools
Volunteers visit 4th grade classes in local schools to give an interactive lesson on recycling and reducing landfill waste.
Students are instructed on:
- what goes where- green, blue or black bin
- the adverse effects of single-use plastic and the alternatives
- why composting is SO important
- how to teach others what they’ve learned.
Volunteers spend 1/2 hr. in each classroom discussing trash and the sorting of it. Students work in small groups and go through a bag of items, and decide which waste bin each item belongs in.
Plastic Free Lunch Day
We work with the Napa Valley Unified School District to plan and sponsor a Plastic Free Lunch Day or Week during Earth Week every April. We meet with the Director of Food Services about menus and plateware. We promote the event with information and videos about the national event, and offer resources to families with ideas for how to prepare a plastic-free lunch.
