Building Momentum for Reusables at Ohlone College and Beyond

Laying the Groundwork for Reuse

In the past year, Race to Zero Waste has made significant strides in transitioning Ohlone College in Fremont towards using more reusable foodware and reducing wasteful single-use items. Through a grant from the Altamont Education Advisory Board, we’ve partnered with the college to implement a reusable bowl program, engage students as zero waste ambassadors, and lay the groundwork for expanding reusables across campus.

Working closely with Ohlone’s dining provider, Fresh and Natural, as well as reusable service company Buoy, Race to Zero Waste helped launch a pilot program replacing all 32oz disposable plastic bowls with Buoy’s reusable containers at the main dining hall’s Teriyaki station. Early data shows significant benefits. Over 2.6 tons of greenhouse gas emissions are avoided annually and nearly 2,000 lbs of plastic waste are diverted from landfills yearly.

In addition to Ohlone, Race to Zero Waste has brought on student volunteers at Cal State East Bay in Hayward to begin similar awareness and adoption efforts. We’ve facilitated training sessions and close collaboration on the campuses. Last year, R20W collaborated on Free Fest efforts at CSU East Bay’s move-out day to recover usable items, as well.

Stakeholders and Zero Waste Ambassadors

But the impacts go far beyond just numbers on a spreadsheet. Race to Zero Waste has built an ecosystem of engaged stakeholders from university leadership and facilities staff to passionate student volunteers. R20W has brought on ten students at Ohlone as Zero Waste Ambassadors so far, providing them with training on waste reduction principles, along with a small stipend. They have facilitated eight outreach events that educated over 200 of their peers on signing up for Buoy’s reusable system and properly returning containers. R20W is committed to ongoing student leadership.

Ongoing plans for Reusables at Ohlone

Seeing this momentum, the Ohlone administration allocated funding to purchase the initial batch of reusable bowls from Buoy. With the pilot’s early success, plans are in motion to expand to replacing all disposable foodware with Buoy’s reusables at Ohlone College in Fremont by next year. The team also hopes to grow the program to the college’s Newark campus.

Reusable Alameda

Perhaps most excitingly, the work at Ohlone has contributed to the formation of a reusable coalition spanning the wider Alameda County region. Through the success of the Reusable Oakland coalition, combined with Story of Stuff and Race to Zero Waste’s efforts on campuses in the county, Reusable Alameda recently held its first strategic meeting.

With this grant’s continued support, we aim to replicate the successes at Ohlone across multiple sites. Building a coalition of students, staff, faculty, and vendors all promoting and implementing reuse will allow these programs to become deeply embedded at each institution. The long-term vision is to create a cultural shift where reusables are the default and landfill-bound single-use items become a rarity. Learn more about community coalitions such as Reusable Alameda here.

Committed to a Reusable Future

Stay tuned for more updates as this coalition grows and reuse efforts accelerate across Alameda County. We’re showing that real progress towards zero waste goals is happening right here in our local communities through grassroots partnerships, education, and enabling smart systems.

This post was written by R20W Outreach Coordinator and Project Leader, Daniella Menendez. 

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