The Resource Conservation Ordinance, the Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance, Surplus Disposal Ordinance and the 75% Waste Diversion Resolution for City Departments require all City government departments, facilities and parks to conserve resources by implementing the following programs:

• Reusing office supplies, furniture, and computers before buying new;
• Sorting and collecting compostable and recyclable materials;
• Maximizing the purchase of products with high levels of post-consumer recycled content, reduced packaging, and end-of-life management (i.e. product take-back);
• Requiring janitorial crews to consolidate and properly collect recyclables and compostables through contract specifications;
• Purchasing environmentally preferable products (such as non-PVC plastics, remanufactured toner cartridges and rechargeable batteries);
• Setting diversion goals and evaluating success;
• Recruiting and training of departmental Zero Waste Coordinators.

Each department must also conduct an audit to determine the types of waste generated, how best to divert this material from landfill, and report annually on waste and diversion statistics. These provisions have been reinforced by subsequent administrative and legislative action, including the Mandatory Composting and Recycling Ordinance, and a 2008 directive from Mayor Newsom requiring departments to purchase only 100% post-consumer paper.

The Department of Environment provides resources including site visits, audits, signage, containers and equipment, as well as city vendor coordination.

The City maintains a “Virtual Warehouse” to facilitate the exchange of surplus items among its departments. From 2008-2010, departments exchanged over 35,000 surplus items, weighing more than 580 tons, which were valued at approximately $3,872,350.

From 2008-2010, over 15,000 City employees received some form of resource conservation training. Of these, 175 were certified as Zero Waste Coordinators, who ensure compliance within their respective departments.

Only two of many program milestones are noted above. For more information on outcomes, please refer to the Resource Conservation Ordinance Annual Reports.

The city saves nearly $1 million in disposal costs each year by maximizing diversion.