5. Divert 100 percent of the waste from our landfill and
convert waste to energy
We want San José to become a zero waste city. Instead of sending
712,000 tons of garbage to our landfills annually, we will work to divert
100 percent of the waste we generate. Currently, we recycle 62 percent
of our garbage and trash citywide. San José residents recycle 286,000
tons each year through the curbside Recycle Plus program alone.
First, we’ll start by reducing the quantity of waste we create. We will
increase the amount we recycle, and we’ll reuse more products. In addition,
San José will become a world leader in adopting cutting-edge
technologies that transform waste into usable energy. Through partnerships
with innovative companies, San José will convert solid waste
and biosolids into biodiesel, methanol, biogas, and electricity that will
power municipal operations and be available to other users.
History of Leadership:
Waste Recycling
1987: Instituted residential
recycling citywide.
1989: Recognized as State
model for recycling.
1991 & 2002: Recognized for
diverting more waste
than any large city in
nation (64 percent).
Present: Continue to divert
more waste than
most other large
cities in the world.
