San Francisco's Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance (Environment Code Chapter 19, enacted 2009) was the first in the U.S. to require all residents and businesses to recycle and compost. Compliance is mandatory for every person and business in the city.
All recyclable materials must be placed in blue bins and compostable materials in green bins. Accepted recyclables include paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and most plastics. Compostables include food scraps, yard trimmings, and soiled paper products. California SB 1383 (2022 enforcement) adds statewide organics diversion requirements that complement SF's existing program. Commercial food generators must also comply with edible food recovery requirements. The city provides education and outreach to improve sorting compliance.
Contamination of recycling or compost bins may result in rejection, sorting surcharges, and warning notices. Fines for non-compliance range from $100 for residential to $500 for commercial properties per occurrence.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco regulates noise under Police Code Article 29 (Sections 2900-2920), administered by the Department of Public Health and enforced by SFPD. Quiet ...
San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco, CA
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See how San Francisco's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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