Beginning today, the city of San Francisco will require both businesses and residences to compost food scraps and biodegradable products or risk a fine for not properly sorting their garbage. While other cities require recycling service and participation, the law, which Mayor Gavin Newsom signed into effect in June, is the first nationwide to require the collection of food scraps and other compostables.
A study by the Department of the Environment found that 36 percent of what San Francisco sends to landfills is compostable, primarily food scraps, and 31 percent is recyclable — which is mostly paper. Seeing that SF already has an impressive 72 percent recycling rate, the legislation could send that rate soaring to 90 percent.
To facilitate the program, the city will offer free green compost carts to apartment buildings and businesses, as well as free kitchen pails for renters. Fines will be capped at $100 and are meant primarily to raise public awareness and encourage compliance. Has your city or town made any moves to require composting? Has your city had success with any recycling fines or mandates? Tell me by commenting below!
Source: Flickr User MayorGavinNewsom
Pedro Garcia
I really wish that Atlanta would start doing mandatory recycling. Dekalb is the only Metro county that provides recycling containers & pick-up right now. If Fulton would join in, too, it could mean even more momentum for the cause!
1So I understand how composting works if you live in a house with a backyard or garden, but how on earth do you do it in an apartment building? I see you said "compost carts." does that mean there is a cart of rotting food sitting inside the building somewhere?
2This is great news!
3onlysourcherry, yes, the compost cart/bin looks similar to a large plastic garbage or recycling can, and is closed. When I lived in San Francisco (in a three-story walk-up apt), each household had a sink-side kitchen pail provided for them, and then we emptied our compost into the big green compost bin/cart that was on the side of our building. I'm not sure how they'll deal with the smell factor in larger buildings, but hopefully they have a good plan!
4Awesome. I would totally do that, if Los Angeles offered it everywhere. Right now it's only in test markets.
5I live in San Francisco, and am not super excited about this idea. When I moved in I heard that there was a previous rat problem due to the basement apartment slaughtering fowl. I wonder if this bin will encourage the rats to come back. Also, I worry about the smell. I already have issues with those stupid gnats and some times ants. I think this will make the problem worse. On top of it all, I wonder how much more this is going to cost a city who already has major budget, crime, and homeless issues. I guess time will tell.
6as a san francisco resident, i'm very excited that this law has finally come into effect. we've been composting for several months now in our apartment and it has worked out great. i love living in a progressive city that values our environment and takes measures to protect. just recently, i recently in san jose (just south of sf) and received a styrofoam container for my take out and recoiled in shock because in sf the use of styrofoam has been banned since 2007. oh san francisco, how i love you.
7I'm a San Francisco resident who's all for VOLUNTARY composting but is not happy at all about being forced to do so. I had never seen a cockroach at our house in the 40 years I've lived here until we started collecting food scraps for the compost bin - yard waste is fine, it doesn't attract roaches or mice, but food does. I can't wait until summer when I have a green bin full of maggots thanks to the combination of raw chicken scraps and flies.
8Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.