The Solution
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), more commonly known as trash or garbage, can be managed through source reduction, recycling, and composting. Source reduction involves altering the design, manufacturer, or use of products and materials to reduce the amount and toxicity of what gets thrown away.
Reusing and Recycling diverts useful items, such as paper, glass, plastic, and metals, from the waste stream. These materials are then collected, sorted, processed and emerge as new products.
Composting decomposes organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, with microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi), producing a usable substance-fertilizer.
How does recycling affect Climate Change?
Recycling prevents the emission of greenhouse gases and water pollutants, saves energy, supplies valuable raw materials to industry, creates jobs, stimulates the development of greener technologies, conserves resources, and reduces the need for new landfills and combustors.
What you can do in the office:
There are many ways to reduce your waste stream. A good first step is to devise a waste reduction plan, as follows:
- Identify your waste stream's key components (e.g., food scraps, paper, cans, bottles).
- Organize the list of waste into similar groups, such as paper, plastic, bottles, and foods.
- Match this list to the one below to determine what you can and cannot recycle; highlighting the items that match up
- Contact your local waste disposal company to get a free appropriate receptacle for each type of waste. For example, if you have space, get three bins for your kitchen/breakroom: one for trash, one for recyclables, and one for compostable materials (biodegradable trash bags). It's helpful to keep a list nearby noting which materials go in each bin.
- Stop your junk mail.
- Use ceramic mugs or cups instead of plastic or Styrofoam cups.
- Reuse cardboard boxes.
- Print double sided.
Waste Disposal Companies in San Francisco
Golden Gate Disposal & Recycling: Serves businesses in the Financial District and contiguous neighborhoods, including North Beach, South of Market, South Beach, Fisherman's Wharf and the Marina District. [415.626.4000]
Sunset Scavenger: Serves businesses in neighborhoods stretching from the Golden Gate Bridge to South San Francisco, such as the Sunset and Mission Districts, Bayview, Noe Valley, Glen Park, the Presidio, Haight Ashbury, and Cole Valley. [415.330.1300]
View the San Francisco Department of the Environment's Recycling Guide for more information about items that can be recycled.
Rebate Program
Golden Gate and Sunset Scavenger offer a commercial rate that provides discounts for businesses that are able to divert a significant amount of their waste. The rate consists of a base and variable price that depends on waste volume, and amount of recycling and composting. The variable rate provides a discount in proportion to the percentage of waste your business is able to divert. To be eligible for this rate customers must consistently produce:
1. A stream of mixed, or co-mingled, recyclables (bottles, cans and paper), that is relatively free of contamination.
2. A waste stream of non-recyclable material.
3. If applicable, a stream of compostable material (food scraps or yard trimmings).
Golden Gate and Sunset Scavenger rebate program
Batteries and old light bulbs are considered toxic waste, and should be taken to collection spots, such as Walgreens, for proper disposal. Check your city’s environmental department website for more information. See for example The San Francisco Department of the Environment ; Save the Bay
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