Increase participation in your building's recycling and composting program with a free on-site or virtual consultation.
Here are some advantages of using the Property Manager toolkit:
- Reduce what you and your building's tenants send to landfill.
- Save money on your refuse bill from Recology.
Browse the sections below for guidance after deciding to use the toolkit:
Communicate the law to your tenants
- Tenant Reminder: Mandatory Recycling and composting letter: Letter about the Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance
- Share SFRecycles.org with your residents so they know what goes where
- Add Recycling and composting requirements to your lease - Zero Waste Lease Addendum
Set up your Zero Waste collection area
- Do you have enough bins to accommodate your building’s recycling, composting, and trash needs? If not, you can visit the Recology website to order or change your recycling and composting services
- Are your waste areas and bins clearly labeled? If not, you can download and print free recycling, composting, and landfill signs.
- Visit the household batteries page on SFRecycles to learn how to safely dispose of your batteries
- Visit this page on our website to find our how you can order free 2-gallon kitchen compost pails for your residents. You can also email [email protected] to submit your request for a free kitchen compost pail.
- Download these free trash chute signs for better labeling:
Still need support?
- Schedule a community presentation or ask us to schedule door to door outreach to your tenants. Contact SF Environment at 415-355-3700 or send us an email at [email protected] to request your free consultation.
- Does your property have a contamination charge on your bill? Or do you have a general lack of participation in your building? Consider hiring a Zero Waste Facilitator. View the list of third parties who do this service here: Zero Waste Facilitators (Recycling Sorters)
Here's what you can do with refuse that can't go in any bin
Visit these SFE resources to find out how to safely get rid of specialty items:
- Schedule a free bulky item pick-up for big items (couches, mattresses, etc.)
- Order FREE Apartment Battery Collection (Orange Bucket) service for your building
- Safely dispose of household hazardous waste left behind by tenants
- Identify which lighting products are hazardous waste
- Understand how to manage and recycle lighting products which are hazardous waste
Related materials and helpful links
Download or save these printable resources for your convenience:
- Letter to San Francisco Property Managers (PDF)
- Multifamily Mailer to Tenants (PDF)
- Zero Waste Multifamily Mailer 2025 (PDF)
Resources from our partners:
- Visit Recology's website for details on residential refuse rates
- View the requirements for refuse storage on the SF Public Work's website
- Visit Recology's website to find out where items go after they're placed in the blue bin