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City unveils "Trash Free San Leandro" initiative to reduce single-use foodware and promote reusables
Summary
Environmental Services Manager Carrie Parker introduced a city initiative to reduce single-use disposable foodware, promote reusables, and pursue outreach and pilot programs. Staff also announced a new management analyst hire and plans to recruit a waste reduction coordinator.
Carrie Parker, San Leandro's new environmental services manager, presented the "Trash Free San Leandro" initiative on April 21, urging residents, businesses and city departments to reduce single-use foodware and adopt reusable alternatives.
Parker explained the rationale with data from coastal cleanups showing the most common litter items are lightweight food-related items such as cigarette butts, beverage bottles, bottle caps and food wrappers. She said jurisdictions cannot "recycle or compost our way out of this" and emphasized upstream reduction: "choose reusables wherever possible."
Parker described past local work (she led Alameda's foodware ordinance) and said the pandemic disrupted progress on replacing single-use items. The initiative will focus on outreach and incentives rather than immediate enforcement; Parker proposed voluntary certification, window clings for participating businesses and pilot projects such as reusable takeout sharing in concentrated commercial areas. She also noted existing partnerships and programs: Sparkle Reusables provides dishware used at the San Leandro Senior Center, and Parker said San Leandro is a member agency of StopWaste and will partner where appropriate. She also referenced state implementation work for SB 1383 related to organic waste requirements.
Staffing and next steps: Parker announced Kimberly Anderson as the newly hired management analyst II (sustainability/climate program oversight) and said the department will recruit a waste reduction program coordinator focusing on recycling and waste-reduction work. Parker said staff will pursue outreach at the Cherry Festival and other events and consider school partnerships and youth engagement.
Public commenters responded positively. Douglas Spalding said San Leandro already has active environmental groups and urged coordination; Ginny Madsen said she uses single-use items multiple times and supported the initiative. Council members encouraged pilot programs, school partnerships and working with StopWaste.
Parker said the program is in early stages and emphasized outreach and partnerships first; staff will return with specific proposals and potential pilot projects for council consideration.
