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 for our children's future, and reduces the need for new landfills and combustors. What you can do at your school Incorporate waste reduction as part of your school's operations. Doing this results in various cost saving and environmental benefits such as:
- Reduced disposal costs.
- Increased efficiency of school operations.
- Decreased purchasing costs.
- Reduced carbon footprint.
Click here for a list of waste prevention ideas from other schools to assist you in jump starting your waste prevention efforts.
Click here for waste reduction strategies for each department within a school district. For questions or to request assistance in setting up a district wide waste reduction program, please contact your regional representative in the California Integrated Waste Management Board's Local Assistance and Market Development Division.
Waste Disposal Companies in San Francisco
Golden Gate Disposal & Recycling: Serves schools 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 schools 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 buildings 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 building 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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