Goal PFS-7: Minimize the generation of solid waste, increase recycling, and provide for the collection and disposal of solid waste.
Policies in this section support a wide range of programs to reduce and divert waste from landfill, provide for increased recycling opportunities, increase participation in recycling services offered residents and businesses, support the recycling of construction debris, and encourage home composting. These policies are consistent with Hayward’s desire to promote sustainability because recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions through energy savings, and reduced need for landfills. The City will continue to work with the Alameda County Waste Management Authority to reach County-wide diversion targets.
The City shall continue to require weekly solid waste collection throughout the city.

The City shall monitor its solid waste and recycling services franchisee to ensure that services provided are adequate to meet the needs of the community and to meet the provisions of the City’s Franchise Agreement.


The City shall continue to coordinate with the Alameda County Waste Management Authority to ensure adequate landfill capacity in the region for the duration of the contract with its landfill franchisee.

The City shall comply with State goals regarding diversion from landfill, and strive to comply with the provisions approved by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority.

The City shall reduce municipal waste generation by continuing to employ a wide range of innovative techniques, including electronic communications to reduce paper usage and buying products with less packaging and in bulk, where feasible.

The City shall reduce municipal waste disposed by continuing to reuse equipment to prolong their useful life.

The City shall continue to require its franchisee to arrange for regular collection of recyclables and organics from all municipal facilities.

The City shall continue to require its franchisee to provide outdoor recycling collection containers at, and services to, all City parks and related facilities.

The City shall continue to implement the Environmentally Friendly Preferred Purchasing Program by requiring City contractors to use best management practices (e.g., waste prevention, salvage and reuse, recycling and reusing) to maximize diversion of waste from landfills.

The City shall implement the use of recycled products or recycling processes whenever possible as part of any capital project.

The City shall reduce the use of disposable, toxic, or nonrenewable products in City operations.

The City shall require demolition, remodeling and major new development projects to salvage or recycle asphalt and concrete and all other non-hazardous construction and demolition materials to the maximum extent practicable.

The City shall encourage increased participation in residential recycling programs, and strive to comply with the recycling provisions approved by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority Board. The City shall work with StopWaste.org to monitor participation in residential recycling programs and educate the community regarding actual composition of waste sent to landfills.

The City shall encourage increased participation in commercial and industrial recycling programs, and strive to comply with the recycling provisions approved by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority Board. The City shall work with StopWaste.org to provide technical assistance to businesses to implement mandatory recycling.


The City shall encourage residents to reduce yard clippings through at-home composting or use the green waste collection service provided by the City’s franchisee.

The City shall encourage residents and businesses to separate for collection food and food-soiled paper using organics collection services provided by the City’s franchisee.

The City shall advocate for waste management strategies that aim to maximize the value of solid waste by using waste-to-energy generation systems.


The City shall encourage residents and businesses to properly dispose of their e-waste at permitted facilities.

The City shall coordinate with and support regional efforts to develop and implement effective waste management strategies.

The City shall promote and expand the food scraps collection program for single-family homes to minimize organic waste in landfills.

The City shall implement mandatory recycling for commercial and multifamily uses and work with StopWaste.org to increase participation in this program.

The City shall advocate for waste management strategies that maximize the useful value of solid waste, such as using landfill gas to generate electricity.

The City shall education the community about the benefits of reducing overall consumption.
