Recycling and composting requirements for businesses

Businesses across San Francisco are meeting the requirement to properly separate recyclables and compostables and keep them out of the landfill. These efforts make the city one of the most sustainable places to do business in. 

Why compost and recycle? 

• Recycling and composting are effective ways to recover resources that avoid the need for new materials and return nutrients into biological or mechanical systems.  
• Recyclables (blue bin) - Materials such as glass, cans, paper, and plastics in your blue bin are collected and made into new bottles, cans, and other products.  
• Compostables (green bin) - Organic material such as food, soiled paper and plants in your green bin are collected and composted into nutrient-rich soil used by local farms. 
  How to recycle and compost  

How to Comply 

For help setting up refuse collection service and other assistance and training on what-goes-where, contact Recology at (415) 330-1300 or customerservice@recologysf.com. 

Commercial property owners and managers must provide: 

• Adequate service of recycling, compost, and landfill service. Refuse service is considered adequate when there is enough space for all the recyclable, compostable, and landfill material generated by the business. 
• Color-coded, labeled bins in convenient locations: blue for recycling, green for composting, and gray/black for trash 
• Education on what-goes-where must be provided at least once a year to tenants, employees, contractors, and janitors. 

Food vendors that provide disposable food service ware or to-go containers must: 

• Provide color-coded, labeled bins for use by customers and visitors in front of house  
• Place bins near a main exit in the establishment 

Save money on your Recology bill 

Properly keeping recyclables and compostables out of the landfill can save your business money on your Recology bill. A diversion discount is available for businesses who have sorted their materials properly. Contact Recology at (415) 330-1300 or customerservice@recologysf.com for more information on how your business can achieve or increase the discount.   

Noncompliant Businesses 

The Environment Department will support you and provide technical assistance to your business.