Angelika I have already reported once that San Francisco has an extensive recycling program (Rundbrief 02/2006). In the meantime, it has been further improved, and all kinds of container lids, like bottle caps and jam jar lids, now also go into our blue recycling bin. Most plastics as well, so we no longer have to look for the numbers under the plastic containers or bottles.
The green compost bin has also been around for a long time, but until now it was rarely found in larger apartment buildings. However, since mid-October, landlords can no longer avoid setting them up, as a law in San Francisco now requires everyone to separate their waste. Compost goes in the green bin, glass, paper, and plastic in the blue bin, and residual waste in the black bin. The law is considered one of the most comprehensive in the USA.
Those who do not comply will initially receive several warnings, and then fines of $100 will rain down, which can escalate up to $1,000. Currently, city officials are still trying to handle the situation amicably. They are providing information intended to encourage the citizens of San Francisco to properly fill the green bins. The city provides the green bins free of charge. There was even a gift for the kitchen: a well-sealing bucket about 30 cm high with a sticker indicating what can be put inside.
It is amazing what we are allowed to throw into the organic waste bin: the usual items like fruits, vegetables, used coffee filters, eggshells, leaves, but also food scraps and used pizza boxes and paper plates. And on and next to the organic waste bin, there are well structured posters, making recycling as easy as possible even for the biggest environmental grouch.
You don't even need to be able to read to participate, because the posters show photos. This makes perfect sense in a city where many residents don't speak English. Unfortunately, in our building, there seem to be some neighbors who, despite the photos, can't figure out what goes in which bin, because recently Michael opened the green bin in the garage to dispose of our compost and saw plastic bottles. Ahhh!