Zero Waste Week in Sonoma Valley
A community celebration of sustainability
Sonoma, California. This fall, the Sonoma Community Center is proud to partner with Zero Waste Sonoma to launch Zero Waste Week 2025 at the Center, a community-wide celebration featuring free and donation-based events, workshops, and activities that focus on building a more sustainable future. Other supporting events include a 6-week upcycling fashion class and a clothing swap.
Sonoma Valley’s Zero Waste Week, October 11th to 18th, is part of an annual global campaign, Zero Waste Month. Sonoma’s events are a part of North Bay Zero Waste Week, a grassroots effort uniting organizations across the area to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of waste and highlight creative solutions through reducing, reusing, recycling, repurposing, and composting.
“We want to expand upon our popular Trashion Fashion events, which showcase the innovative use of recycled and unconventional materials as wearable art, and broaden that into sustainability programming at the Center,” said Molly Spencer, Director of Engagement for the Center. “Starting with clothing swaps and repair fairs, we’re thrilled to partner with Zero Waste Sonoma to bring even more hands-on opportunities for the community to engage in creative, practical, and fun zero-waste living.”
A highlight of the Center’s efforts is Sonoma Valley’s largest free clothing swap, scheduled for October 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sonoma Community Center. The event is organized in partnership with Refill Madness, a local retailer offering plastic-free alternatives and refillable products. Their store, located at 500 West Napa Street, Suite 540, will collect clean unwanted clothes, shoes, and accessories on Monday, September 29th, through Wednesday, October 1st. This event keeps the clothing in circulation and reduces fashion waste, which accounts for 10% of global emissions.
The special programming to be offered at the Center includes “Serve Your ‘Fit,” a free six-week upcycling program for high school students and young adults, Tuesdays, September 23rd through October 28th. Students will flip thrifted finds into one-of-a-kind streetwear and runway-ready looks while learning basic mending, deconstruction, and design techniques.
Other free sustainability classes being offered to all ages include Dyeing with Kitchen Scraps on Saturday, October 11th, Compost Kraut: Fermentation as Food Waste Solution & Climate Action on Wednesday, October 15th, Upcycled T-Shirt Braided Rug Making on Thursday, October 16th, and PRINT LAB: DIY Upcycled Printed Patches on Friday, October 17th. Space is limited and classes may fill up quickly, so it is suggested that students register early.
“The week is not only an opportunity to consider the waste we generate, but also to have fun and learn alongside our community members,” added Sloane Pagal, Zero Waste Program Manager for Zero Waste Sonoma. “It’s an invitation to connect with the material things in our homes and lives, and re-imagine them as resources. The Center has put together a stellar lineup of events in October that will certainly inspire zero-waste action!”
Zero Waste Week celebrates the power of creativity and collaboration in building a more sustainable future. Through the leadership of the Sonoma Community Center and in partnership with Zero Waste Sonoma, Bon Marché Thrift Store, and Refill Madness, this initiative strengthens community connections while advancing a shared commitment to a greener Sonoma Valley.
For detailed information and to register for programming, visit SonomaCommunityCenter.org or call (707) 938-4626. Sonoma Community Center is located at 276 East Napa Street in Sonoma Valley. For all of the events happening during North Bay Zero Waste Week, visit northbayzerowasteweek.org.
About Sonoma Community Center
The Sonoma Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1953 to serve the communities of Sonoma Valley with the mission of cultivating a vibrant community through extraordinary creative, cultural, and learning experiences. Originally built as the Sonoma Grammar School, which opened in 1916, the Center is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Community – Innovation – Creativity – Inclusion – Leadership
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Media Contact:
Molly Spencer, Director of Engagement
Organizer of Trashion Fashion and Zero Waste Week Programs and Events
707-938-4626 ext 4
[email protected]
