We’ve Got a Taste
for Zero Waste
Summer’s here and we’re ready to party! Whether you’re dining al fresco or hosting a mini disco, we’ve got tips to make your gatherings greener:
- Use washable, recyclable or compostable dishes, cups and utensils (just be sure they are truly compostable, made from uncoated paper or wood.)
- Flowers, pinecones, dried fruit and branches make fantastic natural decorations that can be composted in your green organics cart afterwards.
- Skip single-use balloons and opt for paper lanterns and garlands that can be reused, recycled or composted.
- Buy and serve drinks in glass bottles, aluminum cans, or reusable pitchers and glasses to reduce plastic waste.
- Use washable fabric tablecloths and napkins instead of disposable plastic and paper.
- Make the meal itself a centerpiece—a charcuterie board or veggie platter can double as delicious decor!
- Set out clearly-marked containers for guests to place their reusables, recyclables and compostables.
And of course, zero waste also includes food… Get a head count and try not to cook too much food, send leftovers home in recyclable goodie bags (or ask guests to bring containers for leftovers), and put any excess food scraps in your green organics cart. Bonne soirée!
Hot for Compost
Did you know that compost helps reduce weed growth, protects plant roots from sun and wind damage and reduces water runoff from your home?
People often think about compost during the fall (as plants go dormant) or the spring (when you’re planting). But what about summer? Can you compost during the hot months? The answer is yes!
It’s never too late to compost! Start composting during the summer and you will have plenty of organic matter to keep your soil healthy during the winter months, giving your garden a head start come springtime.
So, give composting a try this summer! Create a compost plot in your backyard, or invest in a backyard compost bin—RecycleSmart provides a discount on our website!—and add your fruit, vegetables, bread and pasta food scraps, along with other organic matter like coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells.
When you’re ready to plant new in-season vegetables, fruits or flowers, take your compost and mix it thoroughly with the soil. Your garden will thank you for the boost of nutrients! Learn more at RecycleSmart.org/composting.
Don’t have access to a yard or enough space for a compost plot? Vermicomposting—or using worms to compost—is an excellent option for smaller spaces or multifamily units. Get the dirt on worm composting, at RecycleSmart.org/wormcomposting. You can also ask your property manager to call Republic Services at 925-685-4711 to request FREE 3-gallon kitchen food scraps containers.
Hello Recycling Bin
Did you hear? We have a new on-demand recycling resource available to help you sort smarter. Text “Hello Recycling Bin” to 925-940-5795 about any product you’re not sure how to dispose of. Our binbot will reply with proper sorting instructions.
Recycle and Redeem
Great news! The Concord Recycling Center now accepts wine bottles for California Redemption Value (CRV). This means the Concord Recycling Center will buy back your empty, clean and dry wine bottles and other beverage containers. Visit ConcordRecyclingCenter.com for facility information.
Leftover Creations
Here’s a food waste reduction idea that’s fun for the whole household: Before going grocery shopping, shop around in your fridge or pantry for items that are about to expire, and try to make them into a meal! Dishes where you can really get creative with toppings like pizza, tostadas and tacos, are perfect canvases for your food creations. You can also create easy meals for groups like salads or casseroles.
Feeling Stuck?
Are fruit and vegetable stickers ok to compost? Even though they’re small, those little stickers on your produce can cause big problems if they end up in your green organics cart.
Produce stickers are plastic, which means they don’t break down. Instead, they become microplastics that can get into our soil and food.
Just like you wouldn’t put glass, metal, or coated paper into your green cart, toss fruit and veggie stickers in the trash—or collect them and turn them into art. Thanks to RecycleSmart reader Jennifer L. of Walnut Creek for sharing her sticker creation with us in the photo!
Sorting Summer Drinks
Sorting your drink containers just got easier! Check out our guide to properly sort popular drinks and accessories. Note: You can reduce waste altogether this summer by bringing your reusable mugs and tumblers to your favorite retailers!
Popular drink containers broken down into individual parts for sorting.
Landfill: Coated or lined paper cup, plastic straw, plastic film like on a boba cup, drink carton, juice pouch, coffee pod lid
Recycle: Plastic coffee lid, cup sleeve for hot drinks, empty coffee pods, plastic boba drink lid, plastic cup
Compost: Wood stirrer, paper straw, tapioca balls from a boba drink, coffee grounds
Going Plastic Free in July
This July, RecycleSmart is encouraging our readers to sign up for the global Plastic Free July challenge. You’ll join millions of people around the world in this collective effort to reduce plastic pollution worldwide. Check out PlasticFreeJuly.org for valuable tips to help you minimize your plastic use in July and beyond.
Rose J., Danville
Get Gleaning!
Hi RecycleSmart,
All the rain from the spring has been great for my garden! I have so much fruit falling off my trees—in fact, too much.
So, I registered my fruit trees with Contra Costa Fruit Rescue to harvest the excess fruit for donation!
It was super easy. I went to Forestr.org/fruit-rescue and registered my fruit tree on their website. I received a “welcome” email and sent the team a picture of my tree. After that, I coordinated with trained harvesters to select a date and time for them to come and collect the produce once my fruit tree was ready.
Not only is this service good for my trees, it’s good for my community, too! The rescue team takes the fruit they harvest and delivers it to soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and the local food bank. They’re always looking for volunteers—you can sign up on their website!
Thanks, Rose! You can register your tree or learn how to become a volunteer at the link above!
Do you have any tips you’d like to share?
Send your ideas to Authority@RecycleSmart.org
Congrats Scholarship Winners!
Back in 2015, RecycleSmart initiated our Waste Reduction Student Scholarship program to inspire and reward young leaders who have helped reduce waste at their high schools.
This year we’re celebrating two local scholars:
Marcus Han, a leader of Campolindo’s Green Club, Team CAMPOst, inaugurated an annual “Campo Swap” to reuse school spirit gear. He promoted the event, and a 1000-pound e-waste haul, with fun social media videos (Check them out at @camporedc!). Marcus will head to UC Davis to study Environmental Toxicology.
Maddy Park founded Climate Action Now (CAN) in her sophomore year at Monte Vista High School, and the club now boasts more than 160 active members! During the 23-24 school year, CAN collaborated with RecycleSmart, the school admin, teachers, and janitors to improve efficiency, proper sorting and composting around the school. Maddy’s next move is to the Spieker Undergraduate Business Program at UC Berkeley.
If you or someone you know is a rock star recycling scholar, visit RecycleSmart.org/waste-reduction-scholarships to learn about student scholarships for Spring 2025.
Make it Your Own
You may see RecycleSmart’s and Republic Services’ new photo booth at events this summer. We’ve made the booth art into a coloring page for you!
Look for the RecycleSmart booth at your next community event to ask our team your recycling and composting questions!
