City Hall Watch: ‘Big Brother’ composting law approved

SAN FRANCISCO — The “garbage cops” will soon be out patrolling neighborhoods to make sure everyone properly sorts their trash under Mayor Gavin Newsom’s plan to boost San Francisco’s recycling rate.

In a 9-2 vote Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved Newsom’s mandatory recycling law despite concerns that city inspectors would aggressively penalize residents.

Those living in single-family homes, apartment buildings of less then five units and some small businesses could see fines of $100 for failing to sort trash into three different bins — green for composting, blue for recycling and black for other refuse.

“This is just a little too much to take. This is a little too much Big Brother,” Supervisor Sean Elsbernd said. “I just don’t see this as a
priority.”

Elsbernd and Supervisor Carmen Chu voted against the law.

Elsbernd said it would result in numerous citations. He also noted that The City has a large problem of people going into other people’s trash cans, raising questions about how the law would be enforced fairly.

Newsom, in a statement, praised the board’s approval of the law and said San Francisco is the first city to require composting. Others require recycling. The law is meant to boost The City’s recycling rate beyond 72 percent.

Supervisor Bevan Dufty praised the effort.

“I hear constantly from people who wish that they had recycling and composting facilities in their building, whether they are commercial or residential,” he said.

The law goes into effect after 90 days.

Property owners could face fines of up to $500 and an inspection fee of $167 if a building is suspected of not providing adequate service.

Owners of larger apartment buildings and commercial properties would not face any penalties if tenants did not properly sort their trash until at least after July 1, 2011. The City’s director of the environment would be charged with coming up with specific regulations and penalties at that time.

IN OTHER ACTION:

• In an 8-3 vote, an annual $52 fee per unit for one- or two-unit rental homes was approved to offset the cost of city inspections. A similar fee exists for buildings with three or more rental units.
• In an 11-0 vote, a three-year permit with a two-year option was approved for Another Planet Entertainment to hold an annual three-day music festival, Outside Lands, in Golden Gate Park.

How they voted

Members of the Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 to approve Mayor Gavin Newsom mandatory recycling and composting law.
A yes vote supports the ordinance.

    District    Supervisor    Vote
    1    Eric Mar    Yes
    2    Michela Alioto-Pier    Yes
    3     David Chiu     Yes
    4     Carmen Chu    No
    5     Ross Mirkarimi    Yes
    6     Chris Daly     Yes
    7     Sean Elsbernd     No
    8     Bevan Dufty    Yes
    9     David Campos    Yes
    10     Sophie Maxwell    Yes
    11     John Avalos    Yes

jsabatini@sfexaminer.com