Regional Compliance Hub: San Francisco, CA — Chemicals, Batteries & Electronics (Thu–Sat)
Regional Compliance Hub: Chemicals, Batteries & Electronics (Thu–Sat), the City’s primary Recology facility.
Since San Francisco enforces the strict Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance and prohibits hazardous waste/electronics from being placed in standard apartment bins,
this facility is the critical “Compliance Hub.”
[1][2][3]
This is the Recology San Francisco Transfer Station & Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility.
[2][4]
Recology SF Transfer Station & HHW Facility (One-Stop: HazMat + Electronics)
The “One-Stop” HazMat Solution: This facility accepts Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (examples: paint, pesticides, solvents, cleaning products) and Electronics (examples: computers, TVs) for San Francisco residents under program rules. [2][4]
- Facility: Recology SF Transfer Station & Household Hazardous Waste Facility[2][4]
- Address: 501 Tunnel Ave., San Francisco, CA 94134[2][4]
- Hours (HHW Facility): Thursday, Friday, and Saturday ONLY — 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed Sun–Wed)[2][4]
- Procedure: You must show proof of San Francisco residency (example: Driver’s License or Utility Bill).[4]
- Accepted HHW (Examples): paint, pesticides, solvents, cleaning products and other HHW per rules/limits.[4]
- Accepted Electronics (Examples): TVs and computer monitors (no charge listed), plus other electronic devices per facility list.[2]
Batteries: Never Put in Black or Blue Bins (Fire Hazard)
Batteries: Do not put batteries in the black (trash) or blue (recycling) bins. Batteries require special handling. Drop them off at the HHW facility, or use approved retail and apartment collection options. [4][5][6]
- Drop-off (Retail): Residents can drop off batteries at Walgreens in San Francisco and most hardware stores (per Recology guidance).[5]
- Apartment Option (Orange Buckets): In multi-family buildings, ask your property manager to request a FREE orange battery collection bucket from Recology (manager-requested program).[6]
- Safety Tip: Tape over contacts on lithium batteries before transport, as recommended by Recology/SF programs.[5]
Bulky Items (Self-Haul): Mattresses & Furniture
Bulky Items (Self-Haul): If you can’t wait for a scheduled pickup, you can haul mattresses and furniture to the Recology SF Transfer Station.
Dump/disposal fees generally apply for loads brought to the transfer station (minimum fee and per-ton rates apply per Recology’s posted fee table).
[2]
Resident tip: If your property management provides a voucher/coupon program for self-haul, bring it—otherwise expect to pay posted disposal fees.
Crucial Rights: Bulky Item Recycling (BIR) — “Free Pickup” (Manager-Scheduled in 6+ Unit Buildings)
The Rule: Each unit in a multi-family building (6 units or more) is eligible for one no-charge curbside bulky collection (BIR) per program rules.
Buildings with 5 units or less receive two bulky collections per year at no additional charge.
[7][8]
The Process (6+ units): In large apartment buildings, the Property Manager typically holds the account and is the party who schedules service.
Action: Do not dump furniture on the sidewalk. Ask your Property Manager to schedule a “Recology Bulky Pickup (BIR)”.
If you need escalation guidance, start with Recology customer service and SF Environment resources.
[8][1]
The “Fantastic Three” (Mandatory Composting): Green / Blue / Black
The Law: San Francisco’s Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance requires everyone to separate materials into the City’s three-stream system. [1][3]
- Green Bin (Compost): You MUST place all food scraps, food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, napkins), and plants in the Green Bin.[9]
- Warning: Putting food in the Black (Trash) bin contradicts San Francisco’s mandatory separation requirements; food scraps belong in compost per the City’s program rules.[1][9]
- Blue Bin (Recycling) — Glass: Glass bottles and jars ARE accepted in the Blue Bin (glass bottles and jars only).[9]
- Blue Bin (Recycling) — Cartons: Milk cartons and soup/juice cartons go in the Blue Bin (recycling), not the green one.[9]
EEAT Sources: [1] SF Environment: Mandatory Recycling & Composting Ordinance (program requirement) | [2] Recology SF: Transfer Station & HHW Facility (address, hours, disposal fees, accepted items) | [3] San Francisco Environment Code: Mandatory Recycling & Composting (Chapter reference) | [4] SF Environment: Household Hazardous Waste drop-off (hours, proof of residency) | [5] Recology SF: Battery drop-off guidance (Walgreens/hardware stores; HHW facility) | [6] SF Environment: Household batteries (special handling; orange bucket via property manager) | [7] Recology SF: Bulky Items eligibility (5 units or less vs. 6+ units) | [8] Recology SF: Apartment Resources (Free Bulky Item Recycling—BIR; scheduling guidance) | [9] Recology SF: What Goes Where (green/blue/black sorting; cartons + glass + food scraps)
San Francisco property owners and community managers: simplify recycling & organics compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with the City & County of San Francisco’s Mandatory Recycling & Composting rules and California state mandates (AB 341 / SB 1383) to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey program.
In San Francisco, separating recyclables (blue), compostables (green), and trash (black) is mandatory under the San Francisco Environment Code, Chapter 19 (established by Ordinance No. 100-09). Large Refuse Generators must also comply with the Refuse Separation Compliance Ordinance (LRG thresholds defined by SF Environment). City & County enforcement is administered by SF Environment with collection service provided by Recology.
San Francisco aims for Zero Waste to landfill, targeting 100% diversion. Multifamily participation is critical, and SF Environment inspects properties for compliance.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Sustainability amenities that increase retention and curb appeal.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling & organics pickup reduces overflow and contamination.
- Compliance Simplified: Aligns with City/County rules plus CalRecycle mandates (AB 341 / SB 1383).
- Code-Backed & Inspector-Friendly: Program design, signage, resident education, and records meet Chapter 19 requirements.
At a Glance: City & County of San Francisco vs State of California (applies in SF)
City & County of San Francisco
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling & Composting (Environment Code Ch. 19; Ord. 100-09). Large Refuse Generator (LRG) compliance for high-volume accounts.
- Applicability Threshold: All properties must provide and use blue/green/black streams. LRG applies to accounts with a roll-off compactor or ≥ 40 cubic yards/week of uncompacted refuse service.
- Owner/Manager Duties (Sec. 1904):
- Provide properly labeled blue, green, black containers; keep streams co-located for equal convenience.
- Resident education: orient new residents within 14 days and re-educate at least annually; train staff/contractors.
- Maintain adequate service levels; keep areas sanitary and containers in good condition with tight-fitting lids.
- Key SF Links: Environment Code Ch. 19 (Chapter index) · Sec. 1904 Owner/Manager Requirements · Ordinance 100-09 (PDF) · Refuse Separation Law (LRG overview) · RSO Regulation SFE-19-01 (PDF)
State of California (applies in San Francisco)
- AB 341 – Mandatory Commercial Recycling: applies to businesses generating ≥ 4 cubic yards/week and multifamily 5+ units (must arrange recycling service).
- SB 1383 – Organics: universal organics collection & color/label standards; local implementation by SF Environment/Recology.
- Key State Links: CalRecycle: AB 341 Overview · CalRecycle: SB 1383 Resources
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
San Francisco actively enforces its recycling and composting mandates through inspections and fines for noncompliance.
- First Violation: Written warning and corrective notice from SF Environment.
- Subsequent Violations: Administrative fines up to $100 for residential accounts and up to $1,000 for commercial or multifamily properties per day of violation.
- Large Refuse Generator Noncompliance: Additional enforcement actions, contamination notices, and required zero-waste audits until corrected.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City & County of San Francisco)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Resources / Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Provide Required Streams | Ensure blue (recycling), green (compost), and black (trash) containers are available and co-located for equal convenience (Sec. 1904). | Sec. 1904 Owner/Manager Duties |
| ☑ Subscribe to Adequate Service | Maintain sufficient collection service with hauler (Recology) for all three streams; keep areas sanitary and containers in good condition. | Ordinance 100-09 (PDF) |
| ☑ Resident & Staff Education | New residents within 14 days of move-in; annual re-education for residents, employees, and contractors; retain records. | Sec. 1904(c) Education |
| ☑ LRG (High-Volume) Compliance | If you have a roll-off compactor or ≥ 40 cu yd/week of uncompacted refuse service, you are an LRG and must comply with the Refuse Separation Law (audits, corrections, potential penalties). | LRG Overview · RSO Regulation (PDF) |
| ☑ AB 341 & SB 1383 Alignment | Confirm recycling service for multifamily 5+ units (AB 341) and universal organics participation & labeling standards (SB 1383). | CalRecycle: AB 341 · CalRecycle: SB 1383 |
Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your San Francisco property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.
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