Mission Trail Waste Systems

Mission Trail Waste Systems is a local hauling company based in Santa Clara that services portions of the City of Santa Clara and the entirety of the City of Los Altos. Conducting waste audits at their facility presents a major opportunity to increase awareness and education around proper recycling and organic waste disposal.

These audits directly support compliance with California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), which regulates the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills and aims to significantly reduce methane emissions statewide.

Zero Waste Silicon Valley was contracted by Mission Trail Waste Systems to assess contamination rates in incoming waste streams, as required under SB 1383 regulations. Through hands-on waste characterization studies, our team identifies the percentage of organics, recyclables, and landfill materials in each load. The findings help haulers, jurisdictions, and community members understand where improvements are needed.

Ultimately, these audits provide actionable data that supports better waste sorting practices throughout Santa Clara County, contributing to environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and a healthier community.

Bay Area Schools

Zero Waste Silicon Valley also conducts waste audits at local schools in San Jose and across the broader Bay Area. School waste audits provide a clear snapshot of how materials are being sorted in cafeterias, classrooms, and outdoor spaces.

By analyzing organics, recycling, and landfill streams, we help schools identify contamination trends and uncover opportunities for improvement. This data supports more effective signage, student education campaigns, and operational adjustments that make sorting simpler and more intuitive.

Beyond reducing landfill waste, these efforts create cleaner, more sustainable learning environments. They also empower students and staff to take an active role in environmental stewardship, reinforcing lifelong habits around waste reduction and responsible consumption.

Our Service

Interested in improving waste sorting practices and reducing waste at your school, business, or organization? We offer professional waste auditing services designed to deliver measurable results.

Our team is trained and experienced in conducting audits across multiple waste streams, including organics, recyclables, and landfill waste. Corpsmembers perform the hands-on work of sorting and categorizing materials, carefully identifying where items belong and documenting contamination levels.

Using a combination of on-site waste characterization, bin sort analysis, and material flow tracking, we collect detailed data that provides a comprehensive view of how waste moves through your facility. This process allows us to pinpoint where recyclable and compostable materials are being improperly disposed of and develop practical, actionable strategies to prevent valuable resources from ending up in the landfill.

We provide clear, easy-to-understand reports that highlight key findings, trends, and recommendations. Reports include visual data panels to make insights accessible for leadership and decision-makers. When applicable, we can outline projected landfill diversion impacts, identify potential cost savings, and recommend customized solutions such as staff training, improved signage, or operational adjustments.

By leveraging the expertise of our trained corpsmembers, your organization can increase recycling and composting rates, reduce waste management costs, and demonstrate measurable progress toward sustainability goals. At the same time, you will be supporting workforce development and contributing to broader environmental and regulatory compliance initiatives across the Bay Area.