San Francisco implementing compost fines

SAN FRANCISCO, July 2 (UPI) -- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom says his city's new mandate on composting food scraps is a localized attempt to help the environment.

The Sacramento Bee Thursday said the composting law signed by Newsom in June requires San Francisco residents to properly sort their garbage to aid in composting efforts or face fines.

While city residents and small business will face maximum fines of $100, big firms and apartment owners could be hit with fines of up to $1,000 for not following the new regulations.

The law requires residents and companies to place biodegradable waste such as fish bones or watermelon rinds into compost bins rather than with the remainder of their garbage.

San Francisco claims to successfully recycle 72 percent of its 2.1 million tons of annual waste. Nonetheless, at least one resident was less than thrilled with the new threat of fines.

"I think a fine is a little excessive, especially considering that it will probably be levied on the landlords," city resident David Baird told the newspaper.