Trash-Free San Ramon

Trash-Free San Ramon logo

Photos of reusable foodware

LET'S CREATE A TRASH-FREE SAN RAMON: Choose Reusable

Single-use food packaging is now the number-one listed item found on our beaches and waterways per the Ocean Conservancy’s study of the annual Coastal Cleanup Day’s results in 2019. The key to reducing much of the litter we see in our communities is to make an effort to choose reusable dishware.

Instead of writing a law banning straws or plastic foodware, San Ramon has designed a program meant to encourage, educate, and reward businesses and residents in taking steps toward reducing dependency on single-use foodware.


What Individuals Can Do:

Whenever possible, choose reusable dining items over single-use options:

  • Bring your own cup
  • Bring your own utensils
  • Choose a San Ramon eatery that relies on reusable dishware

Talk to family, friends and neighbors on how each of us can plan to reduce the amount of disposable foodware created during any dining experience – we are all in this together.

For more ideas on how individuals can help to create a Trash-Free San Ramon, please reach out to the Solid Waste & Environmental Programs Division at SREnvironmental@sanramon.ca.gov.

Certified Trash-Free Businesses in San Ramon:

The City of San Ramon is dedicated to educating, encouraging, and rewarding San Ramon businesses that are taking steps to reduce the garbage created by single-use foodware, such as plastic cups and utensils.  

Below is a list of Trash-Free businesses that have shown their commitment to keeping the City of San Ramon Trash-Free. So be on the lookout for a Trash-Free certificate or window cling next time you dine out.

  1. Delarosa
  2. Earthbar (Inside Equinox)
  3. Erik’s Deli
  4. Fieldwork
  5. Indian Hotspot
  6. LB Steak
  7. Marugame Udon
  8. Panera
  9. Ramen Hiroshi
  10. ROAM
  11. Shish Grill
  12. Slanted Door 
  13. Social Affair 
  14. World Wrapps

What Businesses Can Do:

Wherever possible, offer reusable dining items for patrons:

  • Reusable drinkware
  • Reusable utensils
  • Reusable dishes
  • Cloth napkins

To learn how residents and businesses can help create a Trash-Free San Ramon, please reach out to the Solid Waste & Environmental Programs Division at SRSolidWaste@sanramon.ca.gov.


Celebrate Sustainably: A Trash-Free Holiday Guide

 Make this holiday season joyful and Trash-Free! Between gift wrap, packaging, and leftovers, household waste can increase by 25% or more during the holidays. With a few simple choices, you can reduce waste, save resources, and celebrate the Trash-Free way.

Plan Ahead for a Waste-Wise Celebration

  1. Think Reusable: Before the season begins, stock up on reusable bags, dishes, and utensils for gatherings.
  2. Shop Smart: Choose quality items that last, buy in bulk, and look for minimal or recyclable packaging.
  3. Labeled Containers: Set up clearly labeled Recycling, Organics, and Trash stations for guests.
  4. Reduce Food Waste: Plan meals carefully, store leftovers properly, and compost food scraps in your organics cart. Encourage guests to bring containers for leftovers.

 

Rethink Gift Giving

  • Give Experiences: Tickets, memberships, or homemade gifts instead of “stuff.

    Public looking at various fish at an aquarium.

 

 

Picture of gifts wrapped in reusable cloth.

 

 

  • Wrap Creatively: Use scarves, fabric, reusable bags, newspaper comics, or old maps instead of single-use wrapping paper. Recycle Right: Glossy, glittery, or metallic wrapping paper cannot be recycled. Choose plain paper or kraft wrap instead.

  • Skip the Bows:  Ribbons and bows aren’t recyclable—reuse them for next year!

 

Make Joy, Not Waste

A Trash-Free holiday doesn’t mean giving up traditions—it means celebrating them in a way that respects the environment. Small changes made by many can make a big difference. Let’s keep the holidays festive, joyful, and waste-free.

 

Polystyrene Foam Food Packaging and Foodware Ban

Polystyrene foam, also known as Styrofoam  is commonly found in packaging and takeout containers, cannot be composted or easily recycled. In San Ramon, you cannot recycle polystyrene foam through ACI’s curbside programs. Always dispose of it in the trash, not the recycling bin.

Polystyrene foam also breaks into harmful microplastics that animals may mistake for food, causing environmental damage.

As a result, the City has banned polystyrene foam foodware. You can view Ordinance 525: Polystyrene Foam Food Packaging and Foodware here.

A ban on polystyrene foam food packaging and foodware goes into effect in the city of San Ramon on January 1, 2025 and applies to any restaurant or retail food vendor.

The Polystyrene Foam Food Packaging and Foodware Ban applies to restaurants and retail food vendors in San Ramon. Here are some examples:

  • Restaurants (fast-food & full-service)
  • Cafes
  • Delis
  • Boba Shops
  • Grocery and supermarkets (Applicable to their deli and takeout departments.)
  • Food Trucks
  • Movie theaters
  • Convenience stores

Trash-Free San Ramon is invested in reducing single-use foodware and in assisting businesses and the public in making the transition from single-use foodware to reusable foodware and compostable fiber-based foodware. 

Businesses that want to reduce their use of single-use foodware can visit the Polystyrene Foam Food Packaging and Foodware Ban Residents that want to help the City and businesses reduce their use of single-use foodware to be Trash-Free can do the following:

1. Support Trash-Free Businesses

    TFSR logo
  • Shop at Trash-Free Friendly Stores: Frequent businesses that are committed to Trash-Free practices. Look for stores that offer bulk goods, reusable packaging, and sustainable products. Click here for a list of Trash-Free businesses.
  • Choose Trash-Free Products: Opt for products with minimal or no packaging, made from recycled or sustainable materials.

2. Practice Responsible Consumption

  • Bring Your Own Containers: When possible, use your own reusable bags, containers, and utensils instead of single-use items.

Stainless steel water bottle with Trash-Free San Ramon sticker.Glass tupperware with food

  • Avoid Over-Purchasing: Buy only what you need to reduce excess waste. 

3. Advocate and Educate

  • Spread Awareness: Share information about Trash-Free practices and businessesTeenagers volunteering with friends and family to increase awareness and encourage participation.
  • Participate in Community Events: Join or organize events that promote a Trash-Free lifestyle. 

4. Provide Feedback

  • Communicate with Businesses:  Offer feedback to businesses on their Trash-Free practices and suggest improvements. Positive reinforcement can encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices.

     If you notice any vendors still using polystyrene foam foodware and packaging, please report it to City staff here so we can assist them in transitioning to alternative options.

  • Support Businesses in Transition: Encourage and support businesses that are transitioning toTrash-Free practices by being patient and understanding of their evolving processes.

5. Engage in Local Initiatives

  • Participate in Clean-Up Events: Join local clean-up evenKids picking-up litterts to help reduce litter and demonstrate the importance of waste management.

 

 

 

 

  • Support Policy Changes: Advocate for local and national policies that encourage waste reduction and Trash-Free practices.

6. Adopt Trash-Free Habits

  • Remember to Reduce and Reuse: Recycling turns used paper and plastic jugs into new products, but these materials can only be recycled a limited number of times. Equally important are reusing and reducing, which extend the life of your belongings and reduce the amount of waste you generate. Give reusing and reducing a try!metal can with food scraps.
  • Compost: Follow ACI of San Ramon's compost guidelines. Composting organic waste to reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfills. 

 

 

By supporting and following Trash-Free principles, you can encourage businesses to focus on sustainability and make real progress in reducing waste.