Cotati’s City Council read a proclamation declaring October as North Bay Zero Waste Week and heard a 30‑minute presentation from Leslie Lukacs, executive director of 0 Waste Sonoma, on local waste‑reduction programs and planned facilities.

Why it matters: 0 Waste Sonoma coordinates countywide recycling, household hazardous waste collection and outreach across 10 jurisdictions. Its programs and the county’s compliance with state rules such as SB 1383 affect how businesses and residents manage organics, electronics, paint and other materials—and influence funding and facility planning in the region.

Leslie Lukacs told the council 0 Waste Sonoma “was formed in 1992” to meet early state recycling mandates and that the agency’s mission is “to empower personal action in waste reduction and materials management by implementing practical solutions to protect our natural resources.” She described several ongoing and planned efforts the agency runs for Cotati residents:

- Public outreach and tools: An online “How do I recycle this?” search tool and a printed Zero Waste Guide that 460 Cotati residents used last year, plus seven local outreach events and Spanish‑language radio education programs.

- Repair fairs and reuse: Partnerships with the Reuse Alliance to host repair fairs and clothing exchanges. Lukacs said repair fairs bring “fixers” (for electronics, bikes, lamps, clothing mending and similar) together with residents to encourage reuse rather than replacement. She said one repair clinic will be hosted in Cotati next year.

- Household hazardous waste (HHW): Free weekday/weekend drop‑off at the Mitcham Road site with a reuse area where residents can pick up usable products and mixed paints that are blended into free colors for graffiti‑abatement and public use. Lukacs said a new, larger HHW facility (site design complete) is planned near Shiloh and U.S. 101 to serve Santa Rosa through Cloverdale.

- Special collections: A solar panel collection program supported by a grant produced 12 events and collected more than 1,000 panels; staff tested panels and found roughly 10% were reusable and were offered to Habitat for Humanity ReStore, farms and a high school engineering class.

- Organics and compost: Lukacs discussed SB 1383 compliance—the state regulation requiring jurisdictions to divert organic material—and said 0 Waste Sonoma helped secure more than $3 million in grants for edible‑food recovery and purchased electric trucks used to rescue food for nonprofits. The agency has installed seven compost hubs (free compost drops) and a 10% rebate program for agricultural buyers of compost. She said a new county compost facility (30% design complete) west of the airport would process up to 65,000 tons a year once permitted.

- Construction and demolition (C&D): 0 Waste Sonoma is pursuing a C&D recycling ordinance and GreenHalo software to collect proof of recycling from construction projects (GreenHalo is launched in Sonoma County; other jurisdictions are evaluating adoption). Council members asked whether the three‑year funding for GreenHalo will require local payment after the grant expires; Lukacs said logistics are still being worked out with city staff and permit departments.

Council members asked about the compost facility’s bird‑attraction risk near the airport and whether the facility is enclosed; Lukacs said the design was coordinated with the FAA and includes an enclosed receiving building and covered static piles modeled on existing facilities such as Napa’s. Council member questions also covered paint repurposing and how 0 Waste Sonoma partners with local ranches for compost distribution.

The council presented the proclamation and invited Lukacs to speak and take a photo with the mayor; there was no formal council vote recorded on the presentation. The agency will continue outreach during North Bay Zero Waste Week and has posted event details online.

Speakers quoted or heard on record: Leslie Lukacs (executive director, 0 Waste Sonoma); Mayor Ford; Council members Sparks, Lemus and Harvey.