Recology
We began the day with a tour of SF's Recology center--the location where all recycling and trash ends up. Not to be confused with a dump, this location was merely a stepping stone for San Francisco's trash before reaching the Altamont landfill in Livermore, CA. While at the Recology center we learned about some of their current programs which include zero waste, composting, and residency for artists. The zero waste program is a goal set by San Francisco to produce zero waste by 2020. According to current statistics, SF is on track for reaching their goal. Compost created in Recology's facility is used by local farmers to help enrich the soil for their crops and return the nutrients back to the earth. Residency for artists is a program where local artisans are chosen to create artwork from trash found in the Recology Center. Following their four month tenure, the artists will have completed an exhibit that the public can view. In addition to the exhibit, artists can also create a sculpture to put in the sculpture garden. Below is a short slideshow of some of the sculptures from the garden. They also will accept hazardous materials like batteries, paint, mercury light bulbs, construction materials and send them to be recycled or reused. A very unconventional method they had implemented was the use of falconry to deter seagulls from hanging around the trash and therefore preventing the spread of trash and disease to the surrounding communities.
We began the day with a tour of SF's Recology center--the location where all recycling and trash ends up. Not to be confused with a dump, this location was merely a stepping stone for San Francisco's trash before reaching the Altamont landfill in Livermore, CA. While at the Recology center we learned about some of their current programs which include zero waste, composting, and residency for artists. The zero waste program is a goal set by San Francisco to produce zero waste by 2020. According to current statistics, SF is on track for reaching their goal. Compost created in Recology's facility is used by local farmers to help enrich the soil for their crops and return the nutrients back to the earth. Residency for artists is a program where local artisans are chosen to create artwork from trash found in the Recology Center. Following their four month tenure, the artists will have completed an exhibit that the public can view. In addition to the exhibit, artists can also create a sculpture to put in the sculpture garden. Below is a short slideshow of some of the sculptures from the garden. They also will accept hazardous materials like batteries, paint, mercury light bulbs, construction materials and send them to be recycled or reused. A very unconventional method they had implemented was the use of falconry to deter seagulls from hanging around the trash and therefore preventing the spread of trash and disease to the surrounding communities.
In the picture to the left, is a path along the sculpture garden in the Recology Center. What is neat about this path is that it embodies the concept of recycling. The gravel used on the path is rubble/concrete pieces obtained as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The bricks were taken from a building that was demolished in the Mission district. Furthermore, the plants that were chosen are all drought-tolerant native species or plants that were dropped off at the Recology Center.
While traveling around the city, we stumbled upon a bike counter along the side of the designated bike trail. It was amazing to see that already nearly 200,000 cyclists have passed this location and used this bike path this year!
Today we had a private meeting with Shawn Rosenmoss, Senior Environmental Specialist, San Francisco Department of the Environment. Shawn gave us valuable information about San Francisco's road to sustainability, and how the city currently maintains it's original initiatives. I noticed that many of the current sustainability initiatives in San Francisco, like required LEED certified buildings, funds for urban agriculture (community gardens), and Bikeshare, all start with policy. It is much more difficult for cities to implement green initiatives when policy stands in the way. According to Shawn, the support of the community and culture of the city definitely help to establish goals such as SanFran's own Zero Waste program. In addition, she spoke about the importance of collaboration of Non Governmental Organizations (NGO's) within the city, and the significance in catering to the citizens in order to accomplish goals that will benefit the environment as a whole.
Another point Shawn spoke about was making the transition to new laws and policies convenient for the people of San Francisco. People are less likely to cooperate if they have to go out of their way to do so. For example, the three bin system (recycling, composting, and trash), each color-coded, make it simple for restaurants, businesses, and the general public to sort their waste before it makes its way to the Recology center. Convenience makes a notable difference when it comes to community involvement. This is a challenge faced by environmentalists all over, and something to consider for our future in advocating for sustainability back in Raleigh, and especially at State.
An interesting study Shawn mentioned focused on Carbon Sequestration. The study found that applying a thin layer of compost on rangeland significantly increases the soil's ability to sequester harmful carbon from the atmosphere. Applying compost also has numerous other benefits like conserving water and replenishing soil nutrients and structure. Shawn really put an emphasis on this initiative since the study was recently published and could be applied to San Francisco in reducing its carbon footprint. The full article from the San Francisco Chronicle can be found here: http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/A-sprinkle-of-compost-helps-rangeland-lock-up-5832244.php#photo-7018690
Below is a sculpture from the Lobby of the Department of the Environment made out of recycled lattices (material used for the construction of fencing). Go Art!