Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waste Reduction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff and former DHS commissioner outline waste‑reduction practices as San Francisco aims for zero waste
Summary
A hearing reviewed city efforts to reduce waste; a former DHS commissioner described a departmental reuse and savings program and the Department of the Environment highlighted procurement and compliance actions tied to a mayoral directive to reach city diversion goals.
Committee members received an informational briefing on citywide waste and conservation efforts. Former DHS commissioner Denise De Dionne described a long‑running department program that reduced energy use, recovered furniture and supplies for reuse, recycled hard‑to‑recycle materials and created modest savings that funded staff positions.
Paul Luedesma, the city government recycling coordinator, summarized the mayor’s executive directive reaffirming a 75% diversion goal and outlining measures including double‑sided forms, a virtual furniture/asset warehouse, composting programs, and construction and demolition recycling requirements. Luedesma said achieving a 100% diversion ("zero waste") by 2020 would require full compliance with the Resource Conservation Ordinance, more consistent procurement of reusable and less‑toxic products, and broader producer‑responsibility policies.
Committee members asked about a hotline or mechanism for employees to submit waste‑reduction ideas; staff said the Department of the Environment can stand up channels and work with departments on procurement specifications and compliance.
