Zero Waste San Diego

What Zero Waste San Diego does

Zero Waste San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 26-1510893) founded in 2007 by Richard and Laura Anthony after attending the California Resource Recovery Association conference in 2006. Headquartered at 3891 Kendall St in San Diego, California, the organization employs approximately 5 staff and is governed by a 7-member board. Its mission is to promote and manage zero waste programs and events, advocate for policy changes that advance a zero waste society, and educate the public on sustainable resource management as a means of climate change mitigation. The organization serves San Diego County residents, local businesses, schools and educational institutions, and a youth segment through programs including the annual Zero Waste Symposium (running since 2013), the SD Fix-It Clinic (since 2016, which has diverted over 30,000 pounds from landfill), and Zero Waste Youth San Diego.

The organization's core offering is a portfolio of educational programming rather than a technology product; there is no proprietary software, API, or mobile application. Flagship assets include the September 2025-launched Reuse & Repair Collective, a brick-and-mortar workshop space at 611 Beech St in downtown San Diego offering a tool library, sewing room, bike repair station, and community workshop area, plus an expanding calendar of skill-building workshops (Learn to Solder at $50, Visible Mending on a donation basis, Collaging Stuff). Distribution is achieved through recurring Fix-It Clinics held at five partner library locations across Carlsbad, Bonita, Valley Center, Ramona, and Rancho Santa Fe; sponsored events such as the Zero Waste Symposium; and a multi-channel digital presence (blog, social media, Constant Contact newsletter). A distinctive feature is Director Richard Anthony's role as President of the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA), through which the organization has delivered advocacy to the United Nations General Assembly and is petitioning for adoption of a peer-reviewed international zero waste definition.

The revenue model combines four streams: charitable donations and contributions (the primary funding source, solicited via a dedicated Donate page, PayPal integration, and Neon CRM); tiered subscription memberships at the Collective ($35-$85/month); workshop and event fees; and corporate event sponsorships (including from Republic Services, EDCO, Dr. Bronner's, and the City of San Diego Office of Sustainability). The customer base is horizontally distributed across individual residents, local businesses, schools, and high school-age youth, with no enterprise anchor customers and no contracted recurring B2B revenue, leaving the organization dependent on donor goodwill and the adoption rate of its newly launched Collective membership.

Name

Zero Waste San Diego

Legal name

Zero Waste San Diego

Website

https://zerowastesandiego.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zero Waste San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 that delivers zero waste education, advocacy, and community repair programming across San Diego County through events, library-based Fix-It Clinics, a youth chapter, and a newly opened membership-based Reuse & Repair Collective workshop space.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Advocacy and Sustainability Education

NAICS

All Other Waste Management Services (56299)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Waste/Materials Reporting (Zero waste, packaging) (EUAHAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

E-waste & Universal Waste Collection/Transfer (Electronics, Lamps, Batteries) (EUAIABAG)

Keywords

• Zero waste education
• Community repair clinics
• Sustainability advocacy
• Recycling workshops
• Nonprofit environmental services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 26-1510893), Zero Waste San Diego relies on charitable donations from individuals and organizations to fund educational efforts and event operations.
2. Reuse & Repair Collective Memberships: Monthly membership fees ranging from $35 to $85 provide access to tool library, workshop space, sewing room, and bike repair station at the downtown San Diego location.
3. Workshop and Event Fees: Fees charged for educational workshops including Learn to Solder Workshop ($50), Visible Mending Workshop (donation-based), and other skill-building classes. Fix-It Clinics are offered free to the public.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support specific events like the annual Zero Waste Symposium and Fix-It Clinics. Sponsorship opportunities are promoted through the Get Involved page.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zero Waste San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes zero waste through community education, advocacy, and hands-on repair programming. Its core offerings include the annual Zero Waste Symposium, recurring SD Fix-It Clinics at library locations, the Reuse & Repair Collective brick-and-mortar membership workshop space, skill-building workshops (soldering, visible mending, collaging), and the Zero Waste Youth San Diego chapter. The organization educates residents on the 8 R's framework (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Repair, Redesign, Regulate, Recycle) and advocates for policy changes promoting sustainable resource management.

Product overview

Zero Waste San Diego is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates a portfolio of zero waste education programs and community events rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include the annual Zero Waste Symposium (spotlighting green businesses and policies), the San Diego Fix-It Clinic program (pop-up repair events diverting items from landfills), and the Reuse & Repair Collective (a brick-and-mortar membership-based workshop facility). Supporting programs include Zero Waste Youth San Diego (youth empowerment chapter), Visible Mending Workshop, Learn to Solder Workshop, and general Education Programs covering zero waste principles through the 8 R's framework. The organization functions as an advocacy and educational hub rather than a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zero Waste Youth San Diego: A chapter of the international organization Zero Waste Youth, focused on promoting zero waste principles among students and young professionals through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.

Products and services

• Zero Waste Symposium Annual flagship symposium featuring local, national, and international speakers on zero waste topics including Zero Waste Communities, Zero Waste Businesses, Food Waste Reduction, Surplus Food Donation Resources, and Organics Management. Offers Zero Waste USA associate certification classes at discount rates. Open to attendees from San Diego County and beyond.
• San Diego Fix-It Clinic Pop-up community repair events held at library locations across San Diego County (Carlsbad, Bonita, Valley Center, Ramona, Rancho Santa Fe) with skilled volunteers helping fix broken items including electronics, appliances, bikes, and textiles. Free admission for community members.
• Reuse & Repair Collective Brick-and-mortar community workshop space in downtown San Diego offering San Diego residents access to tools, repair knowledge, and hands-on project space. Features tool shed, sewing room, bike repair station, community workshop areas, and community conference room for rent. Membership tiers range from $35-$85/month with varying access levels (Trial Creator, Curious Creator, Community Fixer, Maker & Mender).
• Zero Waste Youth San Diego Chapter of the international Zero Waste Youth organization focused on empowering students and young professionals through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Seeks high school students to organize zero waste events with 2-5 hour weekly commitment from September to April. Offers committees for Communications & Marketing, Finance & Fundraising, Outreach & Advocacy, and Programs & Logistics.
• Education Programs Comprehensive educational resources covering zero waste principles including the 8 R's (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Repair, Redesign, Regulate, Recycle). Provides resources for businesses, communities, and schools to implement zero waste practices, including decomposition charts, zero waste hierarchy education, and local resource guides for San Diego County.
• Learn to Solder Workshop Beginner-friendly soldering class teaching basic electronics repair and hands-on making skills. Covers soldering fundamentals, safe handling of soldering iron, basic techniques, common mistakes, and safety practices. Participants must be at least 15 years old. $50 registration fee with 10% going to Zero Waste San Diego. Prerequisite for future soldering classes.
• Visible Mending Workshop Monthly workshop held on the second Tuesday at the Reuse & Repair Collective teaching creative techniques for repairing clothing and textiles. Covers basic hand-sewing, decorative patching, and embroidery-inspired repairs to extend the life of belongings and reduce textile waste. Donation-based workshop for all skill levels.
• Collaging Stuff Workshop Creative collaging and craft workshop using magazines and paper materials, hosted by Be Creative Zone at the Reuse & Repair Collective. Part of upcycling-focused crafts program teaching community members to transform waste materials into art.

Quantifiable outcome

• Diverted over 30,000 pounds from the landfill through Fix-It Clinics since 2016
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zero Waste USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero Waste USA is a nonprofit and national affiliate of Zero Waste International Alliance. Zero Waste San Diego collaborates with Zero Waste USA to offer zero waste associates certification classes at Symposium events.
• Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirector Richard Anthony serves as President of ZWIA. The organization uses ZWIA's internationally peer-reviewed definition of Zero Waste and participates in international zero waste advocacy.
• 2025 Zero Waste Symposium SponsorsminorOthersMultiple sponsors including RAA, Republic Services, City of San Diego Office of Sustainability, Nadi Marketing, Dr. Bronner's, HF&H Consultants, EDCO, Allan Company, Green Education, Agriservice, Urban Ore, Goodwill San Diego County, Sierra Club, CRRA, Give 2 Lead, SCS-Engineers, Ware Disposal, EcoNomics, The Zero Waste Family, Waste Note Consulting, Be Creative Zone.
• SD Fix-It Clinic Partner LibrariescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with libraries across San Diego County for Fix-It Clinic events including Georgina Cole Library (Carlsbad), Bonita-Sunnyside Branch Library, Valley Center Branch Library, Ramona Community Library, and Rancho Santa Fe Library.
• Positive PheeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSustainability-focused tenant at Reuse & Repair Collective hosting Sip & Style community events blending fashion and sustainability.
• Be Creative ZoneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSustainability-focused tenant at Reuse & Repair Collective that saves items from landfill for funky folk art and creative upcycling. Hosts Collaging Stuff events.
• TerraCycle CampaignsminorOthersPartnership with TerraCycle for specialized recycling programs including Cigarette Waste Free, Garnier, Gillette, GoGo Squeeze, Hasbro, and Royal Canin recycling campaigns.
• Zero Waste Refill Shops NetworkminorOthersReferenced resource partners including Mighty Bin, The Nada Shop, Earthwell Refill, Sonora Refillery, and Local Scoop for zero waste shopping alternatives.
• Food Waste & Food Donation OrganizationsminorOthersResource partners for food waste reduction including San Diego Food Bank, Feeding San Diego, Kitchens For Good, Heaven's Windows, Food to Soil, and Solana Center for Environmental Innovation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• TerraCycle: Specialized recycling company running brand-sponsored programs (Cigarette Waste Free, Gillette, Hasbro, etc.) — an active ZWSD partner. Comparable focus on hard-to-recycle waste streams but operates commercially rather than as a community nonprofit.

Direct peers

• Repair Café: International foundation supporting volunteer-run community repair events that help residents fix electronics, appliances, textiles, and bikes. ZWSD's SD Fix-It Clinic program is a near-exact functional equivalent of the Repair Café model.
• Zero Waste USA: National nonprofit and ZWIA affiliate that offers zero waste associate certification classes and educational programming. ZWSD partners directly with Zero Waste USA to deliver certification at the annual Symposium, making it the closest operational peer.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Club: Large-scale environmental advocacy nonprofit combining education, grassroots chapters, and policy influence. Significantly larger and broader in scope, but the chapter-based education-and-advocacy structure parallels ZWSD's model.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Reuse-retail network selling donated building materials and home goods to fund Habitat housing programs. Comparable reuse-retail and donation-driven nonprofit model, though focused on building materials rather than consumer goods.
• Surfrider Foundation: Established environmental nonprofit with a chapter-based grassroots advocacy model, combining education, volunteer events, and policy campaigns. Operates at materially larger scale than ZWSD but mirrors its community-led advocacy approach.
• Goodwill Industries of San Diego County: Regional reuse-and-retail nonprofit that resells donated goods and channels revenue into workforce programs. Operates at much larger scale and overlaps with ZWSD's reuse/repair mission and local San Diego donor base.

Others

• The Repair Association: Trade and advocacy organization promoting right-to-repair legislation. Operates as an enabling/ecosystem participant whose policy work (state-level repair bills) directly aligns with ZWSD's repair-focused mission and Fix-It Clinic programming.
• Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA): International body that maintains the peer-reviewed definition of zero waste; ZWSD's director serves as its president. Functions as an enabling umbrella organization rather than a direct competitor.
• California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA): California's statewide recycling and resource recovery association, which awarded ZWSD the 2014 Zero Waste Achievement Award. Acts as a policy/advocacy network peer and convener rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zerowastesd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@zerowastesandiego/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/zerowastesandiego
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zerowastesandiego
• Instagraminstagram.com/zerowasteyouthsd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zero Waste San Diego