Commission honors Maggie Johnson with Johanna Wald Environmental Service Award

The Commission on the Environment presented the Johanna Wald Environmental Service Award to Margaret "Maggie" Johnson at its June 24 meeting, honoring her career in household hazardous-waste management and public service.

Commissioner Bermejo described Johnson—s role in building one of the nation—s more robust household hazardous waste collection programs and highlighted her work developing San Francisco—s Safe Drug Disposal Stewardship Ordinance in 2015, which now supports year-round disposal at more than 60 drop-off locations. Staff and colleagues from within and outside the department recalled Johnson—s mentorship, technical expertise and longevity in the field; Paolo Haye (Program Manager, Toxics Reduction and Healthy Communities) and others praised her collaboration, innovation and equity focus.

Remote testimonies from colleagues and former managers included personal recollections of mentorship and technical contributions, and Recology—s general manager also offered congratulations and corrected the record on Johnson—s decades of involvement in the field. Johnson spoke briefly to thank colleagues and acknowledge household hazardous-waste technicians at Recology who operate the permanent facility.

The award and remarks were presented as part of the consent/recognition calendar; commissioners and staff emphasized the programmatic achievements and Johnson—s mentor role to incoming staff and interns.