Zero Waste in Berkeley

Navigating Berkeley's mandatory organics collection, foodware and food donation requirements can feel overwhelming, but compliance offers many benefits. Following these ordinances not only helps protect the environment but can also save your business money by reducing waste and cutting costs on single-use items and trash collection. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead and align with both State and City requirements.

Berkeley’s Zero Waste team is here to help get your business in compliance through FREE technical assistance and grants for reusable foodware for dine-in or take-out and dishwashing. Please complete THIS FORM to request free technical assistance and funding.

Heads up! You may see a new StopWaste Regulatory Fee on your garbage bill starting July 1, 2026. It helps fund state-required programs that support composting, recycling, and edible food recovery and donations across Alameda County. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

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SB1383 and Your Business

To reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill, both the State and the City of Berkeley have passed several laws. State law SB1383 mandates that all businesses must subscribe to organics and recycling collection services and provide indoor sorting bins (compost, recycling, landfill) with correct signage, while certain businesses must also reduce food waste and donate any surplus edible food to food recovery organizations.

Mandatory Organics and Signage

All businesses must sign up for compost and collection service or be approved for a waiver. To set up your service, click here.

Prepared food businesses that allow self-bussing must provide color-coded receptacles with signage for customers.

Berkeley’s Zero Waste Team can help you customize your signage. Contact [email protected].

Apply for free indoor compost bins here.

Food Donations

Learn if your business is required to donate food here.

Required to donate? See how to donate properly with this web guide from StopWaste.

Have questions on how to safely donate food? Find industry specific guidelines here.

More questions? Email [email protected] or see additional resources.

Heads up - City staff checking waste bins for sorting accuracy

Each summer, City Zero Waste Recycling staff conduct early morning visual checks of curbside bins to spot common sorting mistakes. They begin as early as 5am and may leave a tag on your waste containers to help educate about misplaced items.

This work helps Berkeley comply with SB 1383, a state law requiring cities to reduce organic waste we landfill and recover edible food to fight climate change. When food scraps and plant debris break down unnaturally in a landfill, they create harmful greenhouse gases including methane, which traps heat in our atmosphere at a rate 28+ times greater than carbon dioxide.

Sorting correctly fights climate change, protects workers, helps turn food waste into compost for farms and gardens, and keeps recyclables in circulation. And it can be confusing! Visit the City’s online Waste Sorting Guide to find local options for reuse, repair, and safe disposal.

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Berkeley's Single Use Disposable Ordinance

Here in Berkeley, we have the Single-Use Foodware and Litter Reduction Ordinance which requires businesses that sell prepared food to serve dine-in customers on reusable foodware, and compostable take-out containers for customers dining away.

Watch this short video to better understand Berkeley’s Single Use Disposable Ordinance and how it pertains to your business.

Here are our free compliance resources to help you and your customers better understand this ordinance. Contact the City of Berkeley to obtain copies or print for your use:

• Berkeley's Foodware Brochure Guide
• Cup Charge Postcard
• Accessory Items Upon Request Postcard

Use this Checklist to track your business’s compliance and access more resources.

To request technical assistance and funding, complete this short form.