Save the Zero Waste Ordinance

Action Needed Before October 23, 2025!

Zero Waste Gainesville recently learned that the City of Gainesville’s Public Works Department (PWD) is proposing to scale back and remove key elements of the Zero Waste Ordinance. We strongly believe that all sections of the ordinance should remain intact and be fully implemented.

What’s at stake:

The PWD is recommending the removal of composting requirements for commercial businesses, multifamily apartment complexes, and single-family residents. While we recognize that these sections present implementation challenges, they are essential steps toward reducing waste and meeting our community’s sustainability goals.

What you can do:

The Public Works Department plans to bring this proposal before the City Commission on October 23rd. Your voice and presence are critical to show support for the Zero Waste Ordinance.

1. Attend the City Commission meeting on October 23rd and voice your support.

2. Email the support letter (below) to Mayor Ward and all City Commissioners by the end of the day on October 22nd at citycomm@gainesvillefl.gov.

You can find the three ordinances that make up the Zero Waste Ordinance (Solid Waste Ordinance, Commercial Food Waste Ordinance, and Commercial Food Diversion Ordinance) by scrolling to the right side of the Gainesville Zero Waste Initiative website.

Thank you for taking action to keep Gainesville moving toward a sustainable, zero-waste future.

For more information, a copy of the Zero Waste Plan, or any questions, please contact us at zerowaste@repurposeproject.org.

Support Letter Template:

(Please email to citycomm@gainesvillefl.gov by October 22nd)

Subject: Support Gainesville’s Commitment to Zero Waste

Dear Mayor Ward and City Commissioners,

I understand that the City’s Public Works Department is proposing to scale back the Zero Waste Ordinance. I urge you not to support these changes and to keep all sections of the ordinance intact.

The proposed eliminations focus on composting, an essential part of reducing food waste, achieving Zero Waste, and building a circular economy. Composting is also a key component of the Zero Waste Strategy Report and Implementation Plan adopted by the City and County in 2021.

Gainesville’s goal of reaching 90% waste diversion by 2040 depends on these composting systems. The plan’s five guiding principles: keeping resources local, fostering job growth, emphasizing upstream solutions, mitigating climate change, and advancing equity each rely on composting.

Instead of removing critical sections of the Zero Waste Ordinance, let’s strengthen the ordinance through community collaboration, education, and phased implementation that supports all sectors of our city.

Sincerely,

[Community Member Name]

[Affiliation if application]

Zero Waste Gainesville is regularly engaged with City and County Commissioners and staff to provide recommendations and feedback on Zero Waste policy. We keep citizens informed of key local ordinances and activities that involve sustainable waste management, and provide information through our newsletter and social media on how the community can be involved and advocate for Zero Waste. Together, our community has made great strides towards our Zero Waste goals. Here are a few past accomplishments:

• The City has drafted important updates to the Solid Waste Ordinance that establishes a reuse program, bans single-use plastic on city property, improves recycling across the city, and creates a prescription take-back service. The first reading of the ordinance passed unanimously on May 5, 2022.

• The City has drafted a food waste ordinance and food diversion ordinance to ensure edible food is provided to those who need it and establishes residential and business composting. The first reading of the ordinance passed unanimously on May 5, 2022.

• The City and County co-developed the Zero Waste Strategy Report.

• The City and County have hired Sustainability Managers that move local government forward with Zero Waste.

• The City passed an ordinance to ban plastic straws and stirrers which went into effect January 2020.

Curious about what other cities are doing? Eco-Cycle Solutions is a great resource for information about Zero Waste. Click the map below to learn about Zero Waste policies passed by communities around the country. 

Partnerships

Zero Waste Gainesville is proud to partner with the following agencies and organizations:

• The Repurpose Project

• Life Unplastic

• The City of Gainesville

• Alachua County

• Beaten Path Compost

• Sierra Club Suwannee - St. Johns Group

• We Are Neutral

• NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee

• Working Food

• Current Problems

• Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo