Composting in Multi-Family Housing
Effective November 1, 2009, composting will be offered and formally required at all Lightner Property Group managed properties. This change has been implemented in order to be in compliance with the new San Francisco composting law, which goes into effect October 21, 2009. Composting is currently available to residents at all LPG properties, but is not required.
Lightner Property Group is currently working with the local garbage companies to make sure composting bins are distributed to all residents by mid-December. In the interim which you wait for your free sink-side pail residents may use any suitable composting pail between their visits to the larger building Green bin. For example, residents may purchase their own kitchen green pail, or use a temporary green pail. Any small covered pot, such as a sauce pan, will do the job just fine. Please note, the amount of food garbage is not increasing. These food items are already disposed of by building residents in the existing garbage bins. The only thing that is changing is what BIN these items go into (from Black to Green)!
What this Program Means for Residents:
New Tools:
- You will be receiving a composting pail which will be maintained by each resident at their kitchen sink. These should be delivered to your unit no later than mid-December.
- There will be a large green bin for disposing of your compost. The green bin will be located near the existing black garbage bin and blue recycling bin.
Items that can be Composted:
Many items can be disposed of in the compost bin including food scraps,soiled paper and yard trimmings. Visit this link for a full listing of items that can be composted.
How to Use the New Tools:
- While you will be supplied with a bucket for composting scraps, any bucket or bowl may be used. The complimentary pail is provided for your convenience and is not mandatory.
- Each household will receive an official guide to acceptable food items to dispose of in the green bins.
- Items must be disposed of in designated green compostable bags or paper bags, view this map to see where you can purchase compostable bags in San Francisco.
- Collected green materials should be removed from your kitchen, sealed and disposed of in the green bin at least twice per week or more if your household is engaged in heavy food prep or cooking creating ample amounts of food scraps.
We Strongly Recommend:
- Use paper bags or green composting bags: This is essential to ensure that each building’s green compost material is not rejected. Improper bagging or failure to properly collect only green materials will result in fines.
- Regularly wash your bins: If you do not regularly wash your bin, not only will your kitchen become noticeably smellier, but the building composting Green bin will become unpleasant for everyone.
PDF versions of simple composting instructions can be found in the Lightner Property Group Resident Public Library HERE.
Remember - Not Everything is Appropriate for your Local Bins
Batteries may no longer be disposed of as regular garbage as of 2-8-06.Illegal Household Waste Items
Not all items can be legally disposed of using the regular garbage and recycling pickup.The following items are prohibited from being placed in ordinary household garbage as of February 8, 2006 by state law:
Residents must arrange for the disposal of these prohibited universal waste items personally at their cost and expense. Disposal of prohibited universal waste is not part of normal housing services. Many local hardware stores will accept these items from residents. Contact your local hardware store to determine their store policy regarding the disposal of these items.
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Going Green!
