San Francisco Recycling Rate Reaches 80 Percent

San Francisco has increased its record recycling rate to 80-percent landfill diversion.

The city said in a news release it reached the milestone through source reduction, reuse, and recycling and composting programs. The city has partnered with San Francisco-based Recology Inc. to be designated he Greenest City in North America on the 2011 Siemens Green City Index.

The city’s landfill disposal has been reduced by half over the past decade and is at the lowest level on record.

”Recycling alone creates 10 times more jobs than simply sending refuse to the landfill, and I applaud Recology, the Department of Environment and San Franciscans for reaching this record milestone of 80 percent diversion,” said Mayor Edwin Lee.

 “As a proud partner of the city and county of San Francisco, Recology is thrilled that our efforts on behalf of the city and our customers have contributed to this record setting achievement,” said Michael Sangiacomo, Recology president and CEO.