The Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Source Reduction and Recycling Board provides assistance to businesses in the areas of waste prevention, recycled product market development, technical assistance and public education. By reducing waste and recycling, businesses can reduce waste disposal costs, improve long-term profitability, and improve the bottom-line, while taking practical steps toward a sustainable economy. For more information about any of these programs, please contact Rory Bakke or Meri Soll at (510) 614-1699 or via e-mail at acwma@stopwaste.org

The Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Source Reduction and Recycling Board make the following services free to Alameda County businesses:

• Grants for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Grants range from a few hundred dollars to over $100,000. Call (877) STOP-WASTE (toll-free) for information.
• Loans of $10,000 to $150,000 with rates as low as 5% (maximum 10%). Loans are based on manufacturing with recycled materials, waste diversion from landfills, leveraging other loan funds, and job creation (especially disadvantaged areas). Ten loans have been made to Oakland businesses. The Oakland Business Development Corporation, (510) 763-4297, administers the loan fund.
• Environmental Assessments are available to Alameda County businesses through the Stop Waste Program. The StopWaste Team is ready with expert assistance to help improve your bottom line through cost-effective resource conservation.

StopWaste offers:

• Free, non-regulatory technical assistance
• Cost-cutting recommendations for waste reduction, energy and water efficiency
• Follow-up assistance including help getting loans and rebates
• An opportunity to showcase your company’s accomplishments

For more information about Comprehensive Environmental Assessments, please contact Rory Bakke or Meri Soll at (510) 614-1699 or via e-mail, acwma@stopwaste.org

• Information Resources: The Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Recycling Board can provide businesses with information resources, ranging from such topics as environmental building specifications to workbooks on waste management to where to donate edible food products. These resources are listed on www.stopwaste.org.

Clean Water and Water Conservation Services

Many Oakland businesses served by the East Bay Municipal Utility District have lowered their water and sewer bills and received cash rebates by participating in EBMUD’s free conservation programs. No matter what the size of your business or facility, you can take advantage of EBMUD’s conservation services.

• EBMUD Water Conservation Division provides the following services to interested businesses. For more information
  • Free surveys of water use, including recommendations for increasing
    water use efficiency;
  • Cash rebates for up to half the installed cost of fixtures and
    equipment that improve water use efficiency;
  • Rebates for irrigation upgrades (if landscape water use is
    submetered);
  • Free conservation devices such as faucet aerators and quick-closing
    valves for toilets;
  • $100 per toilet rebate for replacing higher-flow toilets with
    ultra-low-flow toilets.
  • Water Conservation staff also make presentations to business and
    professional associations on conservation for commercial customers.
• EBMUD Pollution Prevention Program keeps pollution out of the Bay by making sure homes, businesses and industries keep them out of the sewers. It also educates cutomers on how to dispose to hazardous waste, how to recycle it and how to use less harmful alternatives. For more information call (510) 287-1380.

Awards, Recognition, and Certification

Customers want businesses to be environmentally friendly. Show them and your neighbors the contribution of your business by participating in the following programs. You may receive window stickers or camera-ready artwork to show recognition of your efforts and/or support through press releases and advertisements.

The following organizations have certification and/or recognition programs:

• Bay Area Green Business Program. Contact East Bay Small Business Development Center, (510) 986-8642 x 917.
• Business Environmental Awards. Contact Business Environmental Network, (650) 962-9876.
• East Bay Municipal Utility District Business to Business Water Conservation Awards. Contact EBMUD Water Conservation Division, (510) 287-0590.
• WRAP (Waste Reduction Awards Program). Contact California Integrated Waste Management Board, (916) 255-2497.