San Francisco Recycling & Curbside Sorting Guide

Public Health and Welfare California 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 06, 2026 Flag of California

San Francisco, California requires residents and businesses to separate recyclables and organics from trash for curbside collection, as part of the citys mandatory recycling and composting program. This guide explains what to sort at the curb, required container placement and labeling, responsibilities for multifamily and commercial properties, and how enforcement and appeals work. It cites official city sources and notes whether fines, forms, or variance procedures are specified on those pages. Readers should check the cited agency pages for service changes; information in this guide is current as of February 2026 unless a page shows a later update.

What to put at the curb

San Francisco separates three primary streams for curbside collection: recyclables, compostable organics, and trash. Use the citys guidance for accepted materials, and rinse containers when required.

  • Recyclables: paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles, and rigid plastics identified by the city recycling list.
  • Organics: food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste for composting.
  • Not accepted at curb: hazardous waste, electronics (special drop-off), and bulky items unless scheduled.

For full accepted materials lists and exclusions, see the Department of the Environment guidance [1].

Place materials loose or in approved containers; do not use plastic bags for organics unless the city authorizes them.

Container, placement and labeling rules

Curbside containers must meet the citys size and labeling rules and be placed by the curb on the designated collection day. Common requirements include using designated blue (recycling), green (organics), and black or gray (trash) containers where applicable and ensuring lids close.

  • Set out time - place containers at the curb no earlier than the evening before collection and retrieve by the end of the collection day unless local rules say otherwise.
  • Labeling - mark containers as required by the city or your contracted hauler; some multifamily properties must use consistent signage.
  • Access - ensure crews can access containers without blocking sidewalks or streets.
Multifamily properties often have specific indoor sorting and storage obligations separate from curbside set-out rules.

Residential, multifamily and commercial responsibilities

Single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and businesses have different operational requirements. Property owners commonly must provide collection service, tenant education, and recycling infrastructure for occupants. Commercial generators may be required to arrange for separate recycling and organics collection under the city program; see the ordinance and department pages for specifics [2].

Penalties & Enforcement

The city identifies enforcement pathways for failures to comply with recycling and composting obligations, typically involving education, notices, and administrative enforcement. Where the controlling ordinance or municipal code lists fines or sanctions it will be on the official ordinance or code page cited below; amounts and escalation are not always summarized on program pages.

  • Fine amounts - not specified on the cited program pages; consult the municipal ordinance or code for monetary penalties [2].
  • Escalation - the city may use warnings, notices of violation, administrative citations, and repeat or continuing violation procedures; specific dollar ranges and per-day calculations are not specified on the cited program summary page [2].
  • Non-monetary sanctions - enforcement can include orders to comply, abatement directions, and referral to administrative hearings or court when compliance is not achieved; exact remedies are outlined in the ordinance or code where available [2].
  • Enforcer - San Francisco Department of the Environment and related city enforcement offices manage compliance, with inspection and complaint intake through official city service portals [1].
  • Appeals and review - appeal and administrative review routes exist for many city-issued notices; time limits for filing appeals are not summarized on the program pages and should be checked on the specific citation or ordinance document [2].
If you receive a notice, follow the steps and deadlines on the citation immediately to preserve appeal rights.

Applications & Forms

The city posts forms for reporting, requesting service adjustments, or applying for variances on department pages. Where no specific form is required the department typically instructs to contact the listed program office. For variance or exemption procedures consult the municipal ordinance or the Department of the Environment page to find published application forms or contact points [1] [2].

Action steps to comply

  • Learn the accepted materials for each stream on the city guidance page [1].
  • Label and provide approved containers for tenants or employees and hold brief sorting training.
  • Report service problems, missed pickups, or violations via the official complaint/contact page for timely resolution.

FAQ

Do I need to separate food scraps from trash?
Yes. San Francisco requires organics separation for most residents and businesses; follow the city guidance on accepted organics and container rules.
What if I dont have space for separate bins?
Contact the Department of the Environment or your property manager to discuss options; multifamily and small-space solutions are addressed on city program pages.
Who enforces recycling rules and how do I appeal?
Enforcement is managed by city agencies such as the Department of the Environment; appeal steps depend on the specific notice and are explained on the citation or ordinance page [2].

How-To

  1. Check the citys accepted materials list and print or save a quick reference for your household or business [1].
  2. Obtain labeled containers for recycling, organics and trash and place them at the curb only on collection days.
  3. Rinse food containers when required, keep contamination out of streams, and collapse cardboard to save space.
  4. If you need a service change, variance, or have a compliance question, contact the Department of the Environment or file a service request through the official portal.

Key Takeaways

  • Separate recyclables, organics, and trash to comply with city rules and avoid enforcement actions.
  • Use approved containers, label clearly, and follow set-out schedules to ensure collection.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] San Francisco Department of the Environment - Mandatory Recycling and Composting guidance
  2. [2] San Francisco Municipal Code - municipal code and ordinance texts
  3. [3] SF311 - city service requests, reporting and customer support

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