S.F. composts 620,000 tons of organic waste since 1996

Nov. 24 -- San Francisco residents and business have composted more than 620,000 tons of organic waste through the city’s composting program since its inception in 1996.

Recology, the solid waste management company that serves the city, is out with new details on the program Nov. 24 as the company and the city are encouraging the composting of this week’s Thanksgiving food waste.

Local officials and farmers were scheduled to gather today at the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market to promote the composting push.

San Francisco, by composting the waste, has avoided creating 137,000 tons of methane and sequestered 18,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the years.

ôWe know from experience and from new scientific data that applying compost made from food scraps to the land is exceptionally beneficial to sustainable farming and, therefore, beneficial to everyone’s health,ö said agronomist Bob Shaffer, a soil expert and consultant to dozens of Northern California vineyards.

Recology, formerly known as Norcal Waste Systems Inc., estimates that about 190,000 tons of good waste still could be diverted from the city’s waste stream each year.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at 937-964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com