Legislation

SF Environment, the Commission on the Environment, the Board of Supervisors, and the Mayor have all helped create ordinances and resolutions to address the problem of solid waste, including setting the goals of 75 percent landfill diversion by 2010 and zero waste by 2020, various policy initiatives to ensure that government leads by example, and efforts to encourage the private sector to move toward zero waste.

Citywide

Resolution Adopting Zero Waste Goal
Adopted goals of 75 percent landfill diversion citywide by 2010 and zero waste.
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Resolution Setting Zero Waste Date
Set the date of 2020 for zero waste goal.
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Mandatory Recycling & Composting Ordinance
Passed by the Board of Supervisors in June of 2009, this ordinance requires all of San Francisco to separate recyclables, compostables and landfill trash. Learn more with our simple FAQ.
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Adequate Space for Trash, Recycling and Compostable Materials (AB-088)
Provides standards for adequate space requirements and chute design for recycling,
composting and waste handling systems.
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Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility Resolution
Supports statewide efforts to hold producers responsible for product waste and agencies to include producer responsibility language in city purchasing contracts.
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Extended Producer Responsibility Framework Resolution
Urges State to enact an extended producer responsibility framework.
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Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance (2007)
Requires the use of compostable plastic, recyclable paper and/or reusable checkout bags by supermarkets and drugstores.
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San Francisco's Extended Bag Reduction Ordinance (2012)
Requires the use of compostable plastic, recyclable paper and/or reusable checkout bags by all retail establishments starting October 1, 1012 and requires these establishments to charge a minimum of ten cents per bag. The legislation also applies to restaurants starting October 1, 2013. For more information see our factsheet or FAQs.
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Food Service Waste Reduction Ordinance
Requires restaurants and food vendors to not use styrofoam food service ware and instead use food ware that is compostable or recyclable. Learn more with our FAQs.
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Cigarette Litter Abatement Ordinance
Establishes a cigarette litter abatement fee of $0.20 per pack of cigarettes sold in San Francisco to recover the cost of abating cigarette litter from City streets, sidewalks, and other public property.
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Yellow Pages
Requires Yellow Pages distributors to get the approval, or opt-in agreement of all San Francisco residents before delivering phone book directories. Learn more with our FAQs.
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Construction and Demolition (C&D)

City Construction Recycled Content Ordinance
Requires recycled content materials to be used in public works and improvement projects.
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C&D Debris Recovery Ordinance
Requires C&D projects to use city-registered transporters and processing facilities to increase debris recovery.  Learn more about this law with our simple summary.
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C&D Regulation
The regulation adopting the C&D Ordinance.
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Demolition Notice Ordinance
Provides notice of demolition to recycling companies.
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Disaster Debris Recycling Resolution
Policy for City Departments to maximize reuse and recycling of debris in the event of a disaster. 
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City Government

Resource Conservation Ordinance
Requires city departments to reduce waste, maximize recycling, buy products with recycled content and appoint a Zero Waste Coordinator to lead these efforts.
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Mayor's Executive Order on Recycling and Resource Conservation
Summarizes existing zero waste legislation as well as expands on the role of the City's Zero Waste Coordinators and requires defaults on multi function devices to be set to double-sided printing.
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Mayor's Executive Order Enhancing Recycling and Resource Conservation
Requires Departments to purchase 100 percent post-consumer recycled content paper, to reduce paper usage, and to purchase only approved green products.
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Mayor's Executive Order on Bottled Water
Prohibits San Francisco city departments from using public funds to purchase bottled water.
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Precautionary Purchasing Ordinance
Requires city departments to purchase products that maximize postconsumer recycled content and recyclable or compostable materials, and that favor durability, repairability, and reuse.
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Precautionary Purchasing Regulation
Sets recycled content and other guidelines for commodities regularly purchased by city departments.
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Surplus Disposal Ordinance
Establishes a reuse and recycling hierarchy for redistributing excess city equipment and supplies.
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Green Building Ordinance
Requires city construction to manage debris and provide adequate recycling storage space in buildings.
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