For the New Year, San Diego is resolving to dramatically increase the amount of waste residents recycle, including advertising mail. An ordinance went into effect on January 1st and applies to virtually everyone and everything in the City. The law requires recycling of plastic, glass, paper, newspaper, metal containers and cardboard at private residences, commercial buildings, and at special events requiring a City permit. Those who ignore warnings can face fines of up to a thousand dollars. City officials hope that a recycling mandate will stretch the time San Diego can use the Miramar landfill, which is nearing capacity and slated for closure around 2017. To make recycling easy, some apartment complexes are conveniently locating recycling bins for residents, including placement next to mail boxes.
At the Colima Linda apartment complex, which got started on the program a couple of months ago, as much as 50 percent of its trash has been diverted to recycling; A good start, but not yet on target if the City is to meet and exceed its diversion goals. Currently, the State of California requires local governments to reduce waste disposed in landfills by 50 percent. In 2008, the City of San Diego achieved 64 percent diversion. City officials are striving to exceed that rate every year. This goal seems doable since about two-thirds of waste headed to the local landfill is recyclable. Go San Diego!
Better yet? Stop the waste at the source and take actions like reducing unwanted mail through Catalog Choice! We’ll soon announce our expanded service addressing other forms of advertising mail to help you and your towns and cities meet waste reduction goals.
How is this San Diego recycling law enforced?
I’m not sure how the City is enforcing the law, but I found a brochure on the recycling ordinance if you’d like to find out more info: http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/ro/pdf/crobrochure.pdf