CVSan: Eighth Annual Zero Waste Week held for the Community

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan) presented its Eighth Annual Zero Waste Week, February 6th – 11th, with fun and engaging events in the community. Zero Waste Week is a celebration of zero waste practices like Reduce and Reuse and is a significant event as CVSan continues on its path towards the goal of zero waste by 2029.

Reduce Wasted Food: On Wednesday, February 8th and Saturday, February 11th, CVSan provided over 660 silicone food huggers to 330 participants during the Reduce Wasted Food events in front of the Dollar Tree store. Participants learned about produce storage for longer fruit and vegetable life and were directed to additional resources at cvsan.org/Reduce.

STEAM Kits: CVSan coordinated a Science, Technology, Education, Art, and Math (STEAM) Kit project with supplies that would have otherwise been landfilled. Over 400 students from 15 classrooms in Castro Valley worked with supplies such as plastic straws and utensils, polystyrene, and metallic wrapping paper. Selected projects are on display at the Castro Valley Library during March and April.

Just Refill it!: CVSan spread awareness about bulk refill and container reuse with its Just Refill it! event and partnership with the Castro Valley Natural Grocery (CVNG). CVSan sponsored over $150.00 in discounts from CVNG’s liquid soap dispensers for customers during Zero Waste Week. Visit cvsan.org/reuse for a list of Bay Area businesses with various types of bulk goods dispensers.

Reuse is Greater Than Single-Use: CVSan provided over 340 reusable bamboo utensil kits to participants of the Reuse is Greater Than Single-Use event at Starbucks and Castro Valley High School (CVHS). Participants committed to refusing disposable utensils when ordering takeout and carrying their utensil kit in their backpack or car so that it is easily accessible. Single-use disposables contribute to pollution and are not recyclable.

For more information, please visit cvsan.org/ZeroWasteWeek.