Starting January 1, 2026:

New State Law Bans Plastic Bags

In 2025, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority amended the existing county-wide bag ordinance to align with California state law SB 1053, which bans all types of film plastic bags at checkout.

Starting January 1, 2026, most stores that sell food and/or liquor are prohibited from providing, distributing, or selling a film plastic checkout bag to a consumer at the point of sale, except for recycled paper bags for a minimum 10 cent fee.

For Restaurants and Delivery Services

The Reusable Bag Law for Alameda County includes all eating establishments, delivery services, and ordering platforms. The requirements of the law are as follows:

1. No single-use plastic bags.
2. No charge for paper bags.
3. Protective plastic bags without handles are allowed.
4. Charge 10 cents for reusable bags.

For Retailers

Stores affected by this state law include:

• Grocery stores
• Liquor stores
• Convenience stores and mini marts
• Retail stores with a pharmacy

Requirements for state regulated stores covered under new law:

1. No more plastic bags.
2. Charge at least 10 cents for compliant paper bags.

For more information, call StopWaste, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority at 510-891-6500 or email at bags@stopwaste.org or go to ReusableBagsAC.org.

Livermore Sanitation, Inc., who provides the collection of garbage, recyclable, and compostable materials to the City of Livermore, is now owned by Waste Connections, effective Dec. 1, 2022.

Livermore Sanitation agreed to a transfer of ownership to Waste Connections, the City Council approved Assignment on Nov. 28, 2022, and Waste Connections became the official owner of LSI on Dec. 1. There will not be changes to the Livermore Sanitation logo or staff, and the quality and consistency of current collections services will not change. 

For more information, please contact the City of Livermore’s Environmental Services Division at 925-960-8015.

Effective January 1, 2022, a new California state law (SB 1383) goes into effect requiring that compostable materials be kept out of landfills—including food scraps, paper, cardboard, and plant trimmings—to prevent the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The City of Livermore adopted an ordinance known as the Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (ORRO) to comply with SB 1383. The language can be found in Section 8.08.1030 of the Livermore Municipal Code.

Residents must have curbside compost and recycling collection service and sort materials into the correct bins. Compost and recycling containers are available at no additional cost from Livermore Sanitation.

To learn what goes where, visit www.LivermoreRecycles.org

Businesses, institutions, and nonprofits as well as owners/managers of multifamily properties with five or more units must subscribe to compost and recycling collection service, set up color-coded and labeled indoor bins (multifamily properties: common areas only), ensure proper sorting, and educate employees, contractors, and/or tenants about the law at least annually and during tenant move-in and move-out. 

• Contact Livermore Sanitation at 925-449-7300 to order compost and recycling collection service if you don’t already have it and to request containers.
• To learn what goes where, visit Resource.Stopwaste.org/Curbside.

Food Recovery and Donation is required by some large food-generating businesses, institutions, and all public schools. For more information about which businesses are required to recover and donate edible food and for a list of food recovery organizations in Alameda County, please visit Resource.Stopwaste.org/food-recovery-organizations.

For more information about the ordinance, including free support services and outreach materials, visit www.StopWaste.org/Rules.

Styrofoam® 'to-go' containers are not allowed to be provided by foodservice businesses in the City of Livermore. By switching to recyclable and compostable take-out alternatives, Livermore's businesses are reducing litter and water pollution. If you have questions, please review the information below, email us, or call 925-960-8015.

• Livermore Municipal Code 8.20 Styrofoam® Ban
• Styrofoam® Alternatives Vendor List
• Styrofoam® Ban Flyer

Effective June 1, 2022, AB 1276 requires disposable foodware items only be provided upon request for delivery, take-out, and dining in. 

Disposable foodware items include:

• Straws • Stir sticks • Chopsticks • Utensils • Condiment containers • Cup spill plugs (splash sticks)

The following restrictions apply to on-site dining and orders taken in person or online:

• Disposable foodware items and condiments shall not be provided unless requested  by customer.

• Disposable foodware items and condiments shall not be bundled – customers should  have the choice of taking what they want.

• Restaurants using take-out and delivery services must list disposable foodware items on  their menu.

• Customers must ask for stir sticks, cup spill plugs for hot drinks and straws when they order drinks.

• Non-compliant businesses can be penalized.

• Restaurants may ask drive-through customers if they want disposable foodware items, but may not provide  them without customer consent.

Visit this link for more information:

AB 1276: Single-Use Foodware Accessories Available by Request Only | StopWaste - Home, Work, School