About RecycleStuff

Zero Waste Silicon Valley, a program of the San Jose Conservation Corps, strives to tackle two of California’s most significant challenges at once: systemic barriers to employment for transition-age youth and the annual disposal of 30 million tons of waste.

The EPA estimates that 50% of municipal waste in the U.S. is sent to landfills despite the fact that many of those items contain valuable finite resources. Recycling those items allows for materials and intellectual know-how to be reused instead of being taken out of the production cycle forever. Using recycled materials reduces the space on our planet dedicated to landfills as well as toxic runoff and the energy needed to produce new items. Capturing the value in recyclable materials creates economic and learning opportunities while shaping the environmental leaders of tomorrow.

Each corpsmember that goes on to a fulfilling career after the Corps changes their life trajectory for the better, but our impact goes beyond the direct effects on these young people. Our community and environmental services include our work in zero waste as well as responding to emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic and keeping our public spaces safe and accessible. All of this contributes to a community that is more equitable and resilient, making it better suited to bounce back from disasters, confront the climate crisis, and be a pleasant and fulfilling place to live for all.