San Francisco Residential Compost Collection: Schedule & Accepted Items

Understanding San Francisco’s Green Bin Program

San Francisco leads the nation in urban composting, diverting a significant amount of organic waste from landfills through its innovative green bin program. This initiative not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also creates valuable compost to enrich local soils. For residents, understanding and correctly utilizing the green bin is crucial for the program’s success and environmental health. This guide provides practical steps and clear guidelines to ensure you’re composting efficiently and in compliance with local regulations, making your contribution to a greener San Francisco.

Finding Your Specific Compost Collection Schedule

Knowing your exact compost collection day is the first step to successful waste management. Collection schedules can vary by neighborhood and even by specific address within San Francisco. To accurately determine your pickup day, always refer to official city resources.

How to Find Your Collection Day:

  1. Visit the Official SFRecycles Website: The most reliable method is to use the address lookup tool on the official SFRecycles website. Simply enter your street address, and the site will display your personalized collection schedule for all waste streams, including compost.
  2. Check Your Recology Bill: Your monthly Recology bill often includes information about your collection days or directs you to where you can find this information online.
  3. Contact Recology Customer Service: If you are unable to find your schedule online or have specific questions, Recology San Francisco’s customer service can provide direct assistance.

Ensure your green bin is placed at its designated collection point by 6 AM on your scheduled pickup day to guarantee service.

Accepted Materials: Your Green Bin Go-List

The San Francisco green bin program is designed to accept a wide range of organic materials. Properly sorting these items prevents contamination and ensures the compost created is of the highest quality.

What CAN Go into Your Green Bin:

  • All Food Scraps: This includes fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish (cooked or raw), bones, dairy products, eggs, eggshells, bread, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, and tea bags.
  • Yard Waste: Grass clippings, leaves, small branches (less than 4 inches in diameter and 3 feet long), flowers, and other garden trimmings.
  • Food-Soiled Paper Products: Paper napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes (greasy parts), compostable paper plates (without plastic coating), and coffee filters.
  • Approved “Compostable” Products: Only items explicitly certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and marked as ‘compostable’ in San Francisco’s program, such as some compostable cutlery or containers, are accepted. Look for the BPI certification logo. When in doubt, leave it out.

Prohibited Items: What Stays Out of Your Green Bin

Placing incorrect items in your green bin is a form of contamination that can disrupt the composting process, damage equipment, and degrade the quality of the final compost product. Strict adherence to the prohibited items list is essential.

What CANNOT Go into Your Green Bin:

  • Plastics of Any Kind: This includes plastic bags (even those labeled ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ unless BPI certified for SF’s program and explicitly listed), plastic packaging, plastic bottles, plastic cutlery, and Styrofoam.
  • Liquids: Large quantities of liquids, oils, or grease. Small amounts absorbed by food scraps are fine, but pourable liquids should be avoided.
  • Glass, Metal, and Ceramics: These materials are not organic and belong in the blue recycling bin or the black landfill bin, depending on the item.
  • Diapers and Pet Waste: These items contain pathogens and chemicals that are not suitable for composting.
  • Treated Wood or Lumber: This includes painted, stained, or chemically treated wood.
  • Stones, Rocks, and Dirt: While natural, these materials are not suitable for the industrial composting process.
  • Hazardous Waste: Batteries, light bulbs, electronics, chemicals, and medical waste should never be placed in any curbside bin.

Best Practices for Hassle-Free Composting

Following a few simple best practices can make your composting experience cleaner, easier, and more effective.

  • Use a Kitchen Pail: Keep a small, lidded pail in your kitchen for convenient collection of food scraps throughout the day. Transfer its contents to your green bin regularly.
  • Control Odors: To minimize odors, especially in warmer weather, consider freezing particularly pungent food scraps (like meat or fish) until collection day. You can also layer food waste with drier yard waste or newspaper.
  • Appropriate Liners: Use only BPI-certified compostable bags specifically approved for San Francisco’s program to line your kitchen pail or green bin. Alternatively, use newspaper or plain paper bags.
  • Maintain Your Green Bin: Rinse your green bin periodically with water to keep it clean and prevent residues from building up. Ensure the lid is always securely closed to deter pests and contain odors.

Decision Checklist for San Francisco Composting

  • Have I confirmed my specific collection day and time using the official SFRecycles tool for my address?
  • Is my green bin placed curbside or in the designated collection area by 6 AM on my scheduled collection day?
  • Are all food scraps (including meat, dairy, bones) and yard waste correctly placed in the green bin?
  • Have I removed all plastics, liquids, and unapproved ‘compostable’ packaging from the green bin?
  • Is the lid of my compost bin securely closed to prevent pests, odors, and materials from spilling out?
  • Do I know how to report a missed collection or request a new/repaired bin if needed via official channels?

Common Composting Mistakes to Avoid in SF

  • Placing non-certified ‘compostable’ plastics or bags (even if labeled ‘biodegradable’) in the green bin, causing contamination.
  • Forgetting to verify specific collection days for their address, leading to missed pickups or bins not being out on time.
  • Including significant liquids, oils, or grease in large quantities which can create odor and processing issues.
  • Using regular plastic bags to line kitchen pails or green bins, even when trying to contain compostable materials.
  • Overfilling bins or leaving lids ajar, which attracts pests, creates odors, and risks materials blowing out.
  • Mistaking all paper products (e.g., glossy paper, heavily waxed cardboard, heavily printed paper) as compostable.

Missed Collections & Official Support

If your green bin was not collected on your scheduled day, or if you need to request a new or repaired bin, official channels are available to assist you.

  • Report a Missed Collection: Contact Recology San Francisco directly as soon as possible after your scheduled pickup time. Most missed collections can be rectified within 24-48 hours if reported promptly.
  • Request a New or Repaired Bin: If your bin is damaged, stolen, or if you need to adjust your service level (e.g., larger bin), you can typically submit a request online via the Recology SF website or by calling customer service.
  • General Inquiries: For any other questions about composting guidelines, specific material acceptance, or general waste management, the SFRecycles website and Recology customer service are your primary resources.

How to Verify in San Francisco Today

To ensure you have the most current and accurate information for your San Francisco compost collection, here are practical steps you can take right now:

  1. Check Your Address on SFRecycles.org: Visit SFRecycles.org/what-goes-where and use their ‘What Goes Where?’ tool by entering your specific San Francisco address. This will provide your exact collection schedule and customized material guidelines.
  2. Consult the Recology San Francisco Residential Guide: Locate your most recent Recology bill or visit their website for a link to the current residential guide. These guides often contain detailed lists of accepted and prohibited items, along with local program specifics.
  3. Call Recology San Francisco Customer Service: For personalized assistance or to clarify ambiguous items, dial Recology’s customer service number for San Francisco. (Please search for the current number on their official website, as it can change.) This allows you to speak directly with a representative familiar with local regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions about SF Compost

Q: Can I compost all types of food-soiled paper in San Francisco?

A: Generally, yes, for items like paper towels, napkins, and greasy pizza boxes. However, avoid heavily waxed paper, glossy paper, or paper products that are contaminated with non-compostable materials like plastic liners. Always prioritize plain, uncoated paper.

Q: What should I do if my compost bin smells bad?

A: To reduce odors, make sure the lid is securely closed, rinse your bin periodically, and layer wet food scraps with dry materials like newspaper or yard waste. Freezing particularly smelly items (like meat) until collection day can also help significantly.

Q: Are ‘compostable’ plastic bags always accepted in the green bin?

A: No. Only BPI-certified compostable bags explicitly approved and listed by San Francisco’s program (Recology) are accepted. Many bags labeled ‘biodegradable’ or ‘compostable’ are not suitable for the industrial composting facilities used in SF and will contaminate the stream. When in doubt, use paper bags or no liner at all.