How San Francisco, And Cities Like Yours, Can Achieve Zero Waste
Better known for the Golden Gate Bridge, sourdough bread and Alcatraz, San Francisco is now playing host to mayors and world leaders to show off the city’s new cutting edge recycling plant. As urban populations grow, and world cities become more densely populated, municipalities are forced to explore new ways to deal with growing amounts of waste. San Francisco is spearheading this effort.
Recology, an innovative new recycling plant, is helping the city cope with an ever growing amount of waste and recyclable materials. The plant receives daily deliveries, and the service costs are equal to, or less than, traditional recycling and waste management programs. The new features of the plant include improved sorting, the ability to recycle materials that were previously cost ineffective, and the ability to compost other collected waste. The progress represents how one city can take bold and lasting climate action.
The popularity and success of San Francisco’s recycling program has many around the world trying to follow suit. Already, the city offers a model that leaders in France, Italy, Canada, Switzerland and communities throughout the US are working to duplicate. Mayors in cities like your own can learn to follow San Francisco, and work towards climate solutions, by joining Path to Positive Communities!
San Francisco, ‘the Silicon Valley of Recycling’
By Matt Richtel | The New York Times | March 25, 2016
SAN FRANCISCO — Robert Reed, who is enjoying a surprising career turn as a busy tour guide at the latest hot spot here, stood smiling one recent sunny morning before 10 foreign dignitaries and journalists. They included the mayor of Genoa, Italy, and the general consuls from Italy, Canada and Switzerland.
Each visitor wore a sport coat and tie, and a yellow safety vest to ensure they wouldn’t be run down by garbage trucks.
“It’s always nice to meet new friends from around the world,” Mr. Reed said in his introduction, beaming. “In fact, we’ve had visitors from 58 countries.” Behind him stood a warehouse filled with a 630-ton mountain of refuse being pecked by sea gulls. “Come on,” Mr. Reed continued, “I’ll show you the bottles, cans and paper.”