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, tenant 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.
- Tenant education: orient new tenants 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
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) |
| ☑ Tenant & Staff Education | New tenants within 14 days of move-in; annual re-education for tenants, 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 tenant education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.
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