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Council accepts Climate Smart San Jose '0 Waste' element to align waste reduction with emissions goals
Summary
City staff presented and the council unanimously accepted the "0 Waste" element of Climate Smart San Jose, which sets a 90% landfill-diversion performance measure and emphasizes prevention, composting, recycling, and pilot programs such as a public compost hub and a 0 Waste Innovation Grant.
San Jose—s City Council unanimously adopted the 0 Waste element as part of the Climate Smart San Jose plan after a staff briefing and public comment on Nov. 18.
Environmental Services Director Jeff Provenzano and staff described the element as a bridge between waste management and the city—s greenhouse-gas targets, noting that solid-waste emissions account for about 8% of the citywide total and that the city—s diversion rate for FY24-25 was 62%. The element sets a 90% diversion performance measure and identifies strategies across source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion. Staff highlighted existing pilots, including a free compost hub (launched with state grant funding) and the "oops tag" contamination-reduction program.
Councilmembers asked about textile waste, partnerships with school districts to host reuse/repair events, contamination in public receptacles compared with residential recycling, and enforcement of state rules on single-use utensils and bags. Valerie Osmond, deputy director of Environmental Services, said staff conducts school outreach, evaluates pilot sites for public compost hubs and will continue to expand community education. Councilmember Campos and others urged stronger support for repair, reuse and textiles and proposed partnerships to expand access.
Councilmember 15 (Cohen) moved acceptance of the element; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said future pilot projects, grant applications and RFP strategies aligned to the 0 Waste element will be returned for implementation and budget consideration.
The adoption commits staff to track progress publicly through the Climate Smart data dashboard and pursue pilot programs and grant-funded initiatives to increase diversion and reduce emissions.
