Trash bin violators beware
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
May 29, 2009
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Out of sorts: A proposed ordinance is intended to help The City boost its rate of recycling above 72 percent. (Cindy Chew/The Examiner)
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SAN FRANCISCO — The “garbage police” could be out within about three months threatening to fine people who do not properly sort their trash.
Homeowners and businesses will be required to provide three different types of trash bins in their buildings — green for composting, blue for recycling and black for other refuse — or face penalties under proposed legislation intended to boost The City’s recycling rate beyond 72 percent.
The Board of Supervisors Government Audit and Oversight Committee voted Thursday to send the legislation to the full board.
Mayor Gavin Newsom proposed the move more than a year ago, but sticking points, such as how it would be enforced, prolonged negotiations among affected stakeholders.
The Chamber of Commerce and Building Owners and Managers Association, among others, signaled their support Thursday for the revised bill.
If approved by the full board, which is expected to vote on it June 9, the law would go into effect within 90 days.
Property owners who do not provide the service of three different bins could race fines of up to $500. They would also face 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.
Penalties of no more than $100 would kick in right away for those producing 1 cubic yard of refuse or less per week. This would include single-family homes, apartment buildings of less then five units and some small businesses.
“The goal is to make recycling and composting mandatory in the same way that trash has been mandatory since 1932,” said Jared Blumenfeld, Department of the Environment director.
How to properly pack your trash
Black cart
Nonrecyclable and noncompostable items
Blue cart
Glass/plastic bottles, cans, foil, paper and cardboard
Green cart
Food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimming
