Starting in October, contractors working on behalf of the San Francisco Environment Department will be checking trash, recycling, and composting containers that are set out for collection in your neighborhood.
What is happening?
State law requires all jurisdictions in California to perform waste-sorting monitoring. One of these processes – known as “lid flipping” – involves checking a sample of containers along collection routes to study how well materials are being sorted into trash, recycling, and composting. As part of the study, contractors will briefly lift the lid of containers to see its contents.
This State-mandated research will be used in the aggregate to understand progress towards the City’s zero waste goals. No information unique to your address will be featured or displayed anywhere. No fines or any other notices of violation will be issued.
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Why is this required?
This initiative is part of compliance with California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), which mandates reducing organic material in landfills and cutting methane emissions. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is created when organic material such as food waste and landscape debris end up in the landfill and breakdown without oxygen, producing methane, which contributes to climate change. Monitoring programs like lid flipping are required to help the state measure progress and ensure local jurisdictions are meeting statewide climate goals.
- How jurisdictions comply with SB 1383 implementation and requirements.
- Learn more about SB 1383 at CalRecycle.
Key information
- What: Visual checks (“lid flips”) of trash, recycling, and compost bins.
- Where: Random sample locations along collection routes in San Francisco.
- When: In October 2025, during regular collection days.
- Why: To track how well materials are sorted and measure progress toward the City’s Zero Waste goals.
- Who: Trained contractors hired by the San Francisco Environment Department.
Privacy and data protection
We understand that privacy is important. Here’s how your information is protected:
- No address-specific data is reported.
- No fines, citations, or warnings will be issued as part of this initiative.
- Data is reported in aggregate only. Results are compiled into neighborhood-specific reporting and insights to meet state reporting requirements.
- Temporary data retention: Any observational notes are stored only long enough to produce required reports and are deleted once reporting is completed.
In short, this monitoring is about improving citywide systems.
How monitoring helps
This process helps the City and State:
- Track progress toward landfill recovery and climate action goals.
- Identify opportunities to improve recycling and composting programs through outreach and educational campaigns for residents.
- Identify steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by landfilled organic waste.
Frequently asked questions
Have questions about how this works? The following answers cover the most common concerns from residents.
Will I get fined if my bin is sorted incorrectly?
No, this program is for research only. No fines, warnings, or violation notices will result from this process.
Do inspectors go through my trash?
No, contractors will lift the lid to take a quick look at the top layer of the contents of your waste. They do not remove materials.
Why is this happening?
California law, SB 1383, requires all cities to monitor how well recycling and composting programs are working. The results help San Francisco meet its Zero Waste goals.
Is my address recorded?
No address-level data will be reported. Observations are grouped by neighborhood into a single set of statistics.
What happens with the data?
Data will be aggregated and reporting will not be connected to individual addresses.
Who is doing this work?
Trained contractors working on behalf of the San Francisco Environment Department.
Is this happening in any other city?
Jurisdictions all around the state, including Oakland, Livermore, and San Jose, are conducting similar research annually in compliance with SB1383.
Resources and support
- Contact: If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
