Thank you for visiting our website. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Department of Environment office is closed, but employees and staff are working remotely. To reach Department staff, please refer to the following condensed directory:
Front Desk Phone (forwarded): (415) 355-3700
Press Inquiries: [email protected]
General Inquiries: [email protected]
While the Department of the Environment is not serving the public in-person at 1155 Market, it does have several programs that require announced and unannounced site visits and in-person community outreach. Review the Department’s Health and Safety Plan for Outreach for health and safety protocols that will apply to these activities.
Important Messages
Commission Meetings
- Commimission on the Environment meetings have resumed according to their standard schedule.
Refuse Services
- Most refuse services, including collection, continue to be provided by Recology. For updated Recology service information please visit: https://www.recology.com/recology-san-francisco/
Transportation Services
- To support the needs of Essential Workers, the Department of the Environment has launched the Essential Worker Ride Home program, providing a reliable and safe ride home after work for essential employees and helping to fill the gap left by reductions in public transportation services. To learn more about program eligibility and how to apply, visit the Essential Worker Ride Home webpage.
- The Emergency Ride Home program continues to be available and all requests will continue to be evaluated based on the program's eligibility criteria.
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Taxi and public transportation services are essential and will continue to be available. SFMTA is advising people not to ride Muni if you are feeling ill, except as necessary to seek medical care after consulting with your medical provider. For transportation updates, please visit SFMTA's website.
Reusable, Checkout, and Pre-checkout Bag Update
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Previous COVID-19 Health Orders and Directives were rescinded on June 15th, 2021 and replaced entirely by a Safe Return Together Health Order that does not restrict the use of reusable bags. Stores should remove any signs prohibiting reusable bags. Stores are required to charge for bags provided at checkout at the rate of $0.25 per checkout bag, which went into effect July 1st, 2020. The requirement for stores to provide only recyclable paper and certified compostable pre-checkout bags also went into effect July 1st, 2020.
