San Francisco is a leader in waste management and resource recovery, diverting over 80% of its waste from landfills through innovative programs and partnerships. The city’s success is largely due to the efforts of Recology, a waste management company that has been serving San Francisco for over 100 years.
In This Article
Key Points
- San Francisco diverts over 80% of its waste from landfills through resource recovery programs
- Recology is the primary waste management company in San Francisco, with a long history of service
- The city’s resource recovery system includes a large transfer station, materials recovery facility, and composting operations
Recology: San Francisco’s Resource Recovery Partner
Recology, formerly known as Norcal Waste Systems, is an employee-owned company that provides integrated resource recovery services to San Francisco and other communities in California, Oregon, and Washington. The company’s mission is to create a world without waste by developing sustainable resource recovery practices.
- Recology collects and processes municipal solid waste, reclaiming reusable materials
- The company operates transfer stations, materials recovery facilities (MRFs), landfills, and renewable energy projects
- Recology is the largest organics compost facility operator by volume in the United States
San Francisco’s Comprehensive Resource Recovery System
San Francisco’s garbage disposal system includes the world’s largest solid waste transfer station, a materials recovery facility, and other related facilities that process the one million tons of waste generated annually in the city. Enhanced by waste diversion, reduction, composting, and recycling programs, the system diverts less than 40% of waste to landfills.
- Recology brings solid and residential waste to the Shoreway Environmental Center, a large recycling and materials recovery facility
- The company works closely with SF Environment to achieve the city’s diversion and sustainability goals
- San Francisco has the most comprehensive, cost-effective, long-range solid waste program in the world
Innovative Programs and Initiatives
Recology promotes recycling, composting, and other waste-reduction programs to minimize the amount of materials sent to landfills. The company has implemented several innovative initiatives to support resource recovery:
- The San Francisco Artist in Residence Program, founded by Recology and environmental artist Jo Hanson, allows local artists to create art using materials found in the company’s recovery facilities
- Recology has taken legal action against organized “poachers” who raid curbside recycling containers to sell the contents for scrap
- The company is investing in its employee-owners and expanding its business to realize its goal of a world without waste
Public-Private Partnerships for Resource Recovery
Recology collects approximately 25% of the municipal solid waste generated in San Francisco, while private sector providers and recyclers handle the majority of the remaining waste. The city relies on partnerships with these private companies to provide the collection and processing infrastructure needed to meet the needs of commercial generators.
FAQ
What percentage of San Francisco’s waste is diverted from landfills?
San Francisco diverts over 80% of its waste from landfills through resource recovery programs.
How long has Recology been serving San Francisco?
Recology, formerly known as Norcal Waste Systems, has been serving San Francisco for over 100 years.
What innovative programs has Recology implemented to support resource recovery?
Recology has implemented programs such as the San Francisco Artist in Residence Program, which allows local artists to create art using materials found in the company’s recovery facilities.
What role do public-private partnerships play in San Francisco’s resource recovery system?
The city relies on partnerships with private sector providers and recyclers, who handle the majority of the waste generated in San Francisco, to provide the necessary collection and processing infrastructure.
How does Recology work with the city to achieve sustainability goals?
Recology works closely with SF Environment to achieve the city’s diversion and sustainability goals through its comprehensive resource recovery system and innovative programs.
