Recycling Legislation - Recology San Francisco
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Recycling Legislation

SF ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES

San Francisco is a progressive city when it comes to mandating recycling and composting initiatives. We work closely with city and state officials to develop legislation that benefits both the customer and the City’s sustainability goals.

Refuse Separation Ordinance: Large Generators and Zero Waste Facilitators

 


Zero Waste Facilitator Tutorial

San Francisco’s Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance

San Francisco’s Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance requires San Francisco residents and businesses to properly separate recyclables and compostables and keep them out of the landfill.

This means that businesses and property owners are required to provide recycling and composting containers in convenient locations for customers and tenants. This also includes educating tenants, employees, contractors, and janitors about the recycling programs available to them.

Businesses and apartment buildings out of compliance with the Mandatory Ordinance may be subject to enforcement penalties. Renters can report unresponsive property managers by using the anonymous form at www.SFEnvironment.org/mandatory.

Mandatory Construction and Demolition Recycling Ordinance

The City and County of San Francisco’s mandatory ordinance applies to all commercial and residential indoor and outdoor construction projects including repairs, improvements, additions, remodeling, and demolitions. Under the C&D Ordinance in the City and County of San Francisco, C&D debris must:


CALIFORNIA STATE LAW

AB 341

Mandatory Commercial Recycling
Mandatory Commercial Recycling was among the first measures identified and adopted in the AB 32 Scoping Plan by the California Air Resources Board pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The Mandatory Commercial Recycling Measure focuses on increased commercial waste diversion from landfills as a method to reduce GHG emissions. It is designed to achieve a reduction in GHG emissions of 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents in the State.

A business (including public entities) that generates four cubic yards, or more, of commercial solid waste per week, or is a multifamily residential dwelling of five units or more, shall arrange for recycling services. Businesses can take one, or any combination of, the following in order to reduce, reuse, recycle, compost or otherwise divert solid waste from disposal:

In San Francisco, businesses and public entities are able to subscribe to our composting and recycling services or self-haul materials to the SF Transfer Station. Property owners of a commercial business or multifamily residential dwelling may also require tenants to source separate their recyclable materials to aid in compliance.

AB 1826

In October 2014, California passed Assembly Bill 1826 (AB 1826), mandating all businesses and commercial establishments, including multi-family units, to arrange for organics recycling and hauling. Organic waste is defined as food waste, green waste, landscaping and pruning waste, non-hazardous wood waste, and food soiled paper waste that is mixed with food waste.

Summary of AB 1826:

A business that meets the waste generation threshold shall engage in one of the following organic recycling activities:

Additional points related to businesses:

More information on the organic recycling requirements can be viewed here.