Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot
The Hayward community currently recycles or composts 75% of its waste -- meaning that waste is diverted from the landfill. Less waste going to the landfill means reduced community-wide greenhouse gas emissions. Read on to learn about how your household can help Hayward divert even more waste from the landfill and further reduce our community's carbon footprint.
Did you know that you can cut your garbage bill dramatically by changing your trash service to a 20 gallon trash cart? Follow these steps to get there:
- Reduce – Don’t purchase more than you need
- Reuse – Reuse packaging materials, mugs, and office supplies
- Recycle – Plastic, paper, and glass products go in your recycle bin
- Rot – Food scraps, soiled paper, paper towels, and plant debris go in your organics bin
Have questions? Need help?
It is the mission at StopWaste.org to help you reduce your trash. They have grants, kits, and more.
Recycling Helpline: 1.877.STOPWASTE (786.7927)
StopWaste Office: 510.891.6500
Request assistance from Waste Management
510.537.5500
Csnorthbay@wm.com
City of Hayward Solid Waste Division:
510.583.4700
Recycle@hayward-ca.gov
Tips for Reducing and Reusing
- Skip the Styrofoam: The City has banned polystyrene at restaurants and all other vendors. Learn about the negative health and environmental impacts of styrofoam.
- Reusable Bags: The City, along with the County of Alameda, has banned plastic bags at many stores. Bring your reusable grocery and produce bags to the market.
- Junk Mail: Nearly 100 million trees get used for junk mail in the United States every year. Visit Stop Waste’s Stop Junk Mail site to learn how you can save time and trees.
- Old future, clothes, or other textiles: Check out organizations such as Usagain and Recycle Change to find out where you can donate old items.
- Other items? Stop Waste offers a useful tool called Recycle Where, which allows you to search your item and location to find local places to recycle, reuse, or donate.
Tips for Recycling and Rotting
- Click here to see what can be recycled and composted in Hayward.
- See Waste Management’s Hayward Single Family and Multi-Family websites for information on all recycling and composting services.
- Start your own composting: StopWaste offers a wealth of knowledge on starting your own compost project at home, on their Build Healthy Soil with Compost page.
Ready for more?
There are some people going the extra mile to reduce their waste. Pick up some tricks and be inspired.
Zero Waste Home - Bea Johnson is a blogger and the author of the bestseller Zero Waste Home. She made the news for reducing her family's annual waste to one quart jar.
Story of Stuff - this 20 minute award-winning video is about all the stuff we consume and throw away. Watch with Spanish captions.
