As an organic gardener, you’re probably pretty much convinced by now that composting is a good idea—but in the city of San Francisco, California, it’s the law. As of October 21, 2009, San Franciscans now have to put out three curb cans for pickup: a brown one for pure garbage, a blue one for recyclables, and a green one for compostable materials.
San Francisco is the first city in the nation to enact a mandatory composting law. While this is a part of a generalized green initiative aimed at getting as close as possible to zero waste, there’s also a purely practical reason: to maximize landfill space. San Franciscans already recycle 72% of their recyclable materials, and with this initiative, it’s believed that they can recycle up to 90%. Another reason for the new recycling law, according to Mayor Gavin Newsom, is the realization that the anaerobic breakdown of food scraps in landfills generates a substantial amount of methane, a greenhouse gas 72 times more potent than plain old carbon dioxide.
The law requires both residents and businesses to separate materials into recyclables, compostables, and unrecoverable garbage, with fines of up to $1,000 for scofflaws who mix compostable materials with their trash. Those already composting have nothing to worry about; the idea is to get everyone else in on the act.
Don’t miss our store section on compost bins to compost in your own yard! Don’t have a yard? Don’t worry. Compost in your kitchen with one of our indoor composters!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
West Hollywood, CA has had this law for years.