Race to Zero Waste
Race to Zero Waste is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers zero waste education, mobile four-bin sorting pop-ups, and reuse programs to municipalities, universities, event organizers, and communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersSouth San Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Race to Zero Waste does
Race to Zero Waste (R20W) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in South San Francisco, California, that delivers zero waste education and waste-diversion services to communities, municipalities, educational institutions, and event organizers. The organization operates the Zero Waste Station Pop-Up program — mobile, COVID-safe sorting stations staffed by Zero Waste Specialists that guide participants through a four-bin system (Landfill, Recycle, Compost, and a Fourth Bin for Reuse that collects gently-used items for community partners). Complementary offerings include Zero Waste Education delivered in public spaces, the Zero Waste Trainee and Zero Waste Ambassadors professional development programs, an annual Zero Waste Forum flagship conference rotating regionally, the Zero Waste Month global campaign each October, and the Sustainability in Action Awards introduced in 2023. The organization reports measurable impact including 120+ tons diverted from landfill in 2024, an 85% waste diversion rate at Dolores Park events, and more than 5,000 people educated at Zero Waste Stations during the 2020 pilot season.
The underlying technology is operational rather than software-based: the proprietary elements are the four-bin station methodology and the Fourth Bin for Reuse logistics flow that routes collected items to partners such as Project Homeless Connect, HealthRight 360, and Dispatch Goods. R20W is an affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) and adheres to its peer-reviewed definition of Zero Waste, lending definitional credibility. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: the organization builds local, national, and global campaigns through a coalition of community leaders, conducts in-person pop-ups at parks, beaches, festivals, and university campuses, and delivers virtual programming (Zero Waste Action Hour webinars, Facebook Live expert interviews, YouTube educational content). Customers served include local governments (e.g., the San Francisco Department of the Environment as a grant partner and Dolores Park as a recurring site), higher-education institutions (Ohlone College, Drury University), event organizers, and community-based nonprofits. The business model mixes three revenue streams: tax-deductible donations and fundraising campaigns (e.g., $34,890 raised toward a $50,000 goal), restricted and unrestricted grants (including a 2021–2023 SF Department of the Environment grant), and fee-for-service consulting for communities, institutions, and municipalities. R20W is independently governed by a Board of Directors with no parent company; leadership includes CEO Teresa Bradley, Communications Director Marria Evbuoma, Communications Director/Strategic Development Consultant Hayden Sloan, and Outreach Coordinator Daniella Menendez.
Race to Zero Waste firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Race to Zero Waste
- Legal name
- Race to Zero Waste
- Website
- https://racetozerowaste.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Race to Zero Waste is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers zero waste education, mobile four-bin sorting pop-ups, and reuse programs to municipalities, universities, event organizers, and communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Race to Zero Waste industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Education and Waste Diversion Services
- NAICS
- Solid Waste Collection (562111), Waste Collection (5621), All Other Waste Management Services (56299)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953), Sanitary Services (4950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration (BPAIACAH), E-waste & Universal Waste Collection/Transfer (Electronics, Lamps, Batteries) (EUAIABAG)
Keywords
Where Race to Zero Waste is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- South San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Race to Zero Waste business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Race to Zero Waste is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on public donations. The organization conducts fundraising campaigns including virtual events and direct appeals. Current fundraising campaign shows $34,890 raised toward a $50,000 goal.
- Grants: R20W utilizes grants to carry out zero waste programs. Received a 2021-2023 grant from the San Francisco Department of the Environment to expand Fourth Bin and pop-up programs.
- Fee-for-Service Consulting: The team provides fee-for-service consulting opportunities for zero waste programs to communities, institutions, and municipalities.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Race to Zero Waste product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Race to Zero Waste is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers zero waste education, community engagement, and waste diversion programs through a proprietary Zero Waste Station pop-up methodology. Services are offered to event planners, colleges and universities, local governments, and commercial businesses via fee-for-service consulting, while community-facing pop-ups in the San Francisco Bay Area provide hands-on recycling, composting, and reuse education. The organization also runs the annual Zero Waste Forum conference, the Zero Waste Month campaign, and training programs such as Zero Waste Trainees and Zero Waste Ambassadors.
Product overview
Race to Zero Waste is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of educational programs, training services, and community events centered on zero waste principles and circular economy practices. The core offerings include Zero Waste Education delivered in public spaces and events, the Zero Waste Station Pop-Up Program with mobile sorting stations, the annual Zero Waste Forum conference, the Zero Waste Month campaign each October, and professional development through Zero Waste Ambassadors and Trainee programs. Supporting programs include the Fourth Bin for Reuse initiative and the Sustainability in Action Awards. The organization does not offer a software product or technology platform; all offerings are service and education-based.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Zero Waste Month: Annual campaign held every October, previously called #ZeroWasteActionMonth, encouraging extra effort toward zero waste habits with weekly themes and expert interviews.
- Zero Waste Forum
Products and services
- Zero Waste Station Pop-Up Program Mobile zero waste stations staffed by trained Zero Waste Specialists that guide event attendees and park-goers through proper waste sorting with compost, recycling, landfill, and reuse bins; deployed at parks, beaches, festivals, and community events.
- Zero Waste Education and Consulting Educational programs and fee-for-service consulting delivered to communities, institutions, municipalities, and event planners on recycling, composting, waste reduction, and source reduction; includes public education, policy support, and on-the-ground guidance.
- Zero Waste Ambassadors Professional Development Program Professional development program for university and college students providing training in zero waste implementation, reuse program leadership, and campus sustainability — implemented at partner institutions including Ohlone College and Drury University.
- Zero Waste Trainee Program Bay Area training program where trainees work with the R20W team to sort post-consumer materials, record contamination rates, produce waste diversion reports, and conduct waste audits at events, providing paid professional development pathways into zero waste careers.
- Zero Waste Forum Annual flagship hybrid conference bringing together changemakers, local leaders, and international voices for panels, workshops, networking, and activities advancing zero waste practices; held in different U.S. regions each year (e.g., 2024 San Francisco, 2025 Hollywood FL, 2026 Park City UT).
- Zero Waste Month Campaign Annual October campaign that transforms the zero waste journey into a sprint, encouraging participants to share actions and engage with expert voices through weekly themed activities and a global social media hashtag.
Quantifiable outcome
- 85% average waste diversion rate at Dolores Park events
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Race to Zero Waste
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Race to Zero Waste technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Race to Zero Waste partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- San Francisco Department of the Environment (SFE)coreReceived a 2021-2023 grant from SFE to continue Fourth Bin and pop-up program work and expand reach. SFE is a key municipal partner supporting zero waste initiatives in San Francisco.
- Love Dolores ProjectcoreOngoing partnership to provide educational outreach and landfill diversion at Eco Pop-Ups at Dolores Park on weekends and holidays. Collaboration began during pandemic and continues as signature program.
- Richmond District RisingmajorPartner for Ocean Beach Zero Waste Pop-up implementation, particularly for Fourth Bin donation drives benefiting Project Homeless Connect. Led to successful pilot that secured further funding.
- Project Homeless ConnectmajorCommunity partner receiving donations of gently-used items collected through Fourth Bin program. Partnership addresses both waste reduction and support for unhoused community members.
- Dispatch GoodsminorPartnership to be a collection point for reusable takeout containers, encouraging use of durable goods instead of single-use packaging. Supports upstream waste reduction.
- Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA)coreR20W is an affiliate of ZWIA and adheres to their peer-reviewed internationally accepted definition of Zero Waste. ZWIA provides the foundational definition and hierarchy framework for R20W's work.
- South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL)minorCo-host of Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour 2022. SYRCL runs the festival to inspire environmental activism through film.
- Trash 2 TreasureminorCo-host of Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour 2022 events in San Francisco and Philadelphia, combining zero waste education with community cleanup work.
- Zero Waste Youth InternationalminorInterview guest and collaborating partner during Zero Waste Month campaigns, representing international youth zero waste advocacy.
- Zero Waste SonomaminorRegional zero waste organization listed as a sponsor and partner organization.
- Ohlone CollegemajorBuilding momentum for reusables on campus, working to transition the college to reuse systems with professional development for students.
- Drury UniversityminorUniversity campus where R20W is improving reuse programs as part of campus zero waste initiatives.
- Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)minorZero Waste Month collaborating partner, part of network working to end incineration and promote zero waste solutions.
- Californians Against WasteminorZero Waste Month collaborating partner and advocate for California zero waste legislation.
- Klean KanteenminorCorporate sponsor of Race to Zero Waste, promoting reusable beverage containers as single-use plastic alternatives.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Race to Zero Waste competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Race to Zero Waste social profiles
Digital presenceRace to Zero Waste financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Race to Zero Waste leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Race to Zero Waste funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Race to Zero Waste M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Race to Zero Waste
What does Race to Zero Waste do?
Race to Zero Waste is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers zero waste education, community engagement, and waste diversion programs through a proprietary Zero Waste Station pop-up methodology. Services are offered to event planners, colleges and universities, local governments, and commercial businesses via fee-for-service consulting, while community-facing pop-ups in the San Francisco Bay Area provide hands-on recycling, composting, and reuse education. The organization also runs the annual Zero Waste Forum conference, the Zero Waste Month campaign, and training programs such as Zero Waste Trainees and Zero Waste Ambassadors.
Is Race to Zero Waste a public or private company?
Race to Zero Waste is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Race to Zero Waste founded?
Race to Zero Waste was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Race to Zero Waste based?
Race to Zero Waste is headquartered in South San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Race to Zero Waste make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are grants and fee-for-Service Consulting.
Does Race to Zero Waste have an API?
No public API is recorded for Race to Zero Waste.
What industry is Race to Zero Waste in?
Race to Zero Waste's product category is Environmental Education and Waste Diversion Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAJAL, Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging), with a secondary code of BPAIACAH, Solid Waste & Recycling Services Administration. Its NAICS code is 562111 and its SIC code is 4953.