Refuse Collection and Disposal Rates (Garbage Rates)
Please note that all content covering Refuse Rates Administration is moving to the Controller’s Office website. This page will be available until the move is complete. After completion, this page will redirect to the new one.
Under the 1932 Refuse Collection and Disposal Initiative Ordinance, the City and County of San Francisco approves and sets residential refuse (garbage) rates. The Director of San Francisco Public Works is charged with reviewing applications for adjustments in residential refuse rates, holding public hearings, and issuing a report and recommended order on whether rates are just and reasonable.
Recology COLA Calculation for RY2023
Recology Tip Fee for RY2023
Recology Material Mistakes or Errors Disclosure Report
Non-Profit Disclosure Report
- Non-profit Disclosures April 1 – June 30, 2022
- Non-profit Disclosures January 1 – March 31, 2022
- Non-profit Disclosures October 1 – December 31, 2021
- Non-profit Disclosures July 1 – September 30, 2021
- Non-profit disclosure - April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021
Contact Disclosures:
- Contact Disclosures August 1 – 31, 2022
- Contact Disclosures June 1 – 30, 2022
- Contact Disclosures May 1 – 31, 2022
- Contact Disclosures April 1 – 30, 2022
- Contact Disclosures March 1 – 31, 2022
- Contact Disclosures February 1 – 28, 2022
- Contact Disclosures January 1 – 31, 2022
- Contact Disclosures December 1 – 31, 2021 (Amended January 28, 2022)
- Contact Disclosures December 1 – 31, 2021
- Contact Disclosures November 1 – 30, 2021
- Contact Disclosures July 1 – October 31, 2021
Recology Audited Financial Statements
Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective July 1, 2021
- Residential Rates: Single Family and Apartment Rates, 5-Units or Less
- Residential Rates: Apartments of 6 units or more
- Commercial Rates
- Extra Services Price Sheet
- Compactor and Debris Box Rates
- Tipping Fee
Rate Year ending June 30, 2022
Rate Year ending June 30, 2021
- Annual Rate Report – Rate Year Ending June 30, 2021
- Annual Rate Report – Quarter Ending June 30, 2021 (provided on October 13, 2021)
- Quarter 3 Rate Report – Quarter Ending March 31, 2021
- Quarter 2 Rate Report - Quarter Ending December 31, 2020 (provided on May 13, 2021)
- Quarter 1 Rate Report - Quarter Ending September 30, 2020 (provided on January 29, 2021)
As submitted by Recology on the dates identified above and unedited by Public Works.
Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective April 1, 2021
- Residential Rates: Single Family and Apartment Rates, 5-Units or Less
- Residential Rates: Apartments of 6 units or more
- Commercial Rates
- Extra Services Price Sheet
- Compactor and Debris Box Rates
Rate Year ending June 30, 2020
Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective July 1, 2020
- Residential Rates: Single Family and Apartment Rates, 5-Units or Less
- Residential Rates: Apartments of 6 units or more
- Commercial Rates
- Extra Services Price Sheet
- Recology San Francisco Tipping Fee
Approval for Use of ZWIF funds for the Construction and Demolition Materials Reclamation Facility (iMRF)
Recology request for reinvestment of funds for diversion projects using Zero Waste Incentive Funds, Tiers 3 and 4
- As part of the rate approval process for the rates starting in July of 2018, Recology has submitted a proposal to use the unearned portion of Zero Waste Incentive Funds on projects that will improve diversion rates, resulting in less waste going to the landfill.
Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective July 1, 2019
Rate Year ending June 30, 2019
- Annual Rate Report – Rate Year Ending June 30, 2019 - Revised
- Quarter 2 Rate Report - Six Months Ended December 31, 2018
- Quarter 1 Rate Report - Quarter Ending September 30, 2018
Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective July 1, 2018
Rate Year ending June 30, 2018
Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective July 1, 2017
- Residential Rates: Single Family and Apartment Rates, 5-Units or Less
- Residential Rates: Apartments of 6-Units or More
- Compactor and Debris Box Rates
- Commercial Rates
- Extra Services Price Sheet
- Recology SF Tipping Fee
Non-Profit Disclosure Report
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for answers to the questions below.
- Why are the rates increasing?
- But I am paying more than the 14.4% average increase. Why?
- How are the refuse rates set in San Francisco?
- Is there additional appeal process for the rate increase?
- What factors does the City consider in setting rates?
- Does Recology make a profit on its services?
- Was there public outreach conducted?
- Who can I call if I have more questions?
Summary of 2017 Rate Review Process for Rates Effective on July 1, 2017
- On February 10, 2017, the Deputy City Administrator who serves as the Chair of the Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board received an Application from Recology requesting changes to residential refuse collection and disposal rates
- The Chair referred the Application to the Director of Public Works for hearings, reports and recommendations as required by the City’s Refuse Collection and Disposal Ordinance
- In response to Recology’s application, Public Works held a technical workshop for the public on February 28, 2017
- The Director also held nine public hearings in March and April to review Recology’s application. At these hearings, Recology and City staff offered testimony and both parties were offered the opportunity to cross-examine. In this review process, Recology has the burden of proof to demonstrate through evidence on the record that the rate increase it is requesting is "just and reasonable."
- In every Director’s hearings, an independent Ratepayer Advocate offered testimony and conducted cross-examinations. The public was offered time for comment at each hearing.
- The Director issued his report recommending adjustments to the proposed rates and published two recommended rate orders on May 12, 2017.
- Members of the public filed objections to the Director’s Report and Recommended Orders, which resulted in the City’s Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board meetings on June 16, 2017 and June 19, 2017.
- The rate board issued a resolution affirming the Director’s Report and Recommended Orders on June 19, 2017.
Special Meetings of the Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate BoardThis Special Meeting of the City's Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board ("Rate Board") heard and considered objections to the May 12, 2017 Director of Public Works Report and Recommended Orders to increase residential refuse collection and disposal rates (“Report and Recommended Orders”). This Report and Recommended Orders followed the Public Works Director’s 2017 hearings on the Rate Application filed by Applicants Recology Sunset Scavenger, Recology Golden Gate, and Recology San Francisco (“Recology”). As a result of the meetings below, the Rate Board issued a resolution affirming the Director's Report and Recommended Orders.
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Directors Report and Related Documents on the 2017 Rate Application
- Notice of Recommended Orders on Residential Refuse Rates -- 2017
- Director’s Report and Recommended Orders on the 2017 Rate Application of Recology San Francisco, Recology Sunset Scavenger, and Recology Golden Gate -- May 12, 2017
- 2017 Director's Hearing Exhibit List
- 2017 Refuse Rate Application -- Staff Report -- April 14, 2017
Any person may file an objection to any part of the Director's Report and Recommended Orders. The Rate Board must receive your objection in writing no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Objections must be stated clearly and specifically and be based on evidence already in the record. Objections should be addressed to:
Ms. Jennifer Johnston
Chair of the Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 362
San Francisco, CA 94102
Refuse Rate Hearing NoticeThe City’s Refuse Rate Board has received an application from Recology, the San Francisco refuse collection and disposal processing company, for an increase in residential refuse collection and disposal rates for trash, recyclables, and compostables (black, blue, and green bin services). Recology is requesting to rebate surplus revenues to ratepayers and to increase rates, for an effective increase of 16.40% in the first year (or about $5.70 a month for an average single family home), 4.98% in the second year, and 0.62% in the fourth year. Without rebates, rates would increase by an average of 22.96% in the first year. Recology is also requesting to modify the previously approved cost of living adjustment formula. If the increases are approved, the City and Recology anticipate that new rates would go into effect on July 1, 2017. The Director of Public Works will hold a series of public hearings on Recology’s application in San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place, as follows:
The hearings listed above are subject to continuation to later dates, rescheduling, or cancellation. The Director will take public comment regarding the application at the conclusion of each hearing. The public may also submit written comments in advance of any of the hearings by electronic mail to refuserates@sfdpw.org or by regular mail to the Refuse Rate Hearing Officer, c/o Department of Public Works, City Hall, Room 348, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102. If the Director’s Recommended Order is appealed to the Refuse Rate Board, the Rate Board will issue a new notice and hearing schedule. The Rate Board can be reached c/o City Administrator, Room 362, City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102. Copies of relevant documents, including the Recology application, updated hearing schedules, and related documents are available at City Hall, Room 348 for public inspection and online at www.sfpublicworks/refuserates. Rules of Procedure for refuse collection and disposal rate hearing.
Right to Protest the 2017 Rate Application (Proposition 218 Information)Any customer may submit a written protest against the 2017 Rate Application to the Hearing Officer by sending it to:
Refuse Collection Rate Hearing Officer
c/o San Francisco Public Works
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
City Hall, Room 348
San Francisco, CA 94102
Customers may also submit written protests at any of the public hearings on the 2017 Rate Application.
The Hearing Officer will hold a hearing on the written protests on Wednesday, May 4, 2017, at 9:00 a.m., in Room 416 at City Hall, located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. Protests must be received by the end of the public hearing to be counted. The Hearing Officer will not accept or count protests received after the close of the hearing, even if postmarked prior to that time.
Each protest must identify the subject premises (by street address or refuse collection account number) and include the signature of the customer submitting the protest. The Director of Public Works has issued guidelines for the submission and tabulation of protests to the 2017 Rate Application.
Ratepayer AdvocatePublic Works has hired a “Ratepayer Advocate” to inform and educate the public about Recology’s proposed rate increase, create and provide an easy to understand summary of the request, and let the public know how they can participate in the rate hearings. You can contact the Ratepayer Advocate by calling (415) 324 8477 or sending an email to Info@ratepayeradvocatesf.org. Please visit www.ratepayeradvocatesf.org for more information. Technical WorkshopThere will be a technical workshop on San Francisco Residential Refuse-Collection Rates on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm in San Francisco City Hall, Room 421. At the February 28 technical workshop people can learn more about and weigh in on the proposed rate increase. Representatives from Recology will present an overview of the application, which will be followed by a question and answer period. Staff from Public Works, the Department of the Environment and the Ratepayer Advocate will be present to answer questions.
2017 Final Rate Application
2017 Draft Rate Application
Public Workshop, October 18, 20162016 Intent to File Rate Application
Recology Reports
San Francisco Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board MeetingAugust 17, 2016; 3-5 p.m., City Hall, Room 263; 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board MeetingDecember 16, 2015; 2-5 p.m., City Hall, Room 263; 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place |
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Refuse Collection and Disposal Rate Board Reports |
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Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective July 1, 2016Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective July 1, 2015 |
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Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective July 1, 2014 |
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Refuse (Garbage) Rates effective August 1, 2013 |
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2013 ProceedingsThe director has scheduled six (6) public hearings in April and May on the 2013 rate application filed by Recology. The director has also issued new rules of procedure governing the 2013 rate application process. Staff issued its report on the application May 10, 2013. Hearings will be held on the staff report on May 20 and 22, 2013. |
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Your Right to Protest the 2013 Rate Application (Proposition 218 Information)Any customer may submit a written protest against the 2013 Rate Application to the Hearing Officer by sending it to: Refuse Collection Rate Hearing Officer Customers may also submit written protests at any of the public hearings on the 2013 Rate Application. The Hearing Officer will hold a hearing on the written protests on Friday, June 14, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., in Room 400 at City Hall, located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. Protests must be received by the end of the public hearing to be counted. The Hearing Officer will not accept or count protests received after the close of the hearing, even if postmarked prior to that time. Proposition 218 Public Hearing Notice
Each protest must identify the subject premises (by street address or refuse collection account number) and include the signature of the customer submitting the protest. The Director of Public Works has issued guidelines for the submission and tabulation of protests to the 2013 Rate Application. Guidelines for the Submission and Tabulation of Protests – Public Works Order # 181,253 |
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2013 Final Rate ApplicationOn March 14, 2013, Recology submitted a refuse rate application. The contents of the application are below:
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2013 Draft Rate ApplicationOn December 11, 2012, Recology submitted a draft application for an increase in residential rates. Follow the links below to view various components of the draft rate application.
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2013 WorkshopsPublic Works held a technical workshop on the final application on March 21, 2013. Recology presented information on the final application. A workshop on the draft application was held in January 2013. |
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2013 Ratepayer AdvocateThe San Francisco Office of Contract Administration has selected a “San Francisco Refuse Ratepayer Advocate” to facilitate public participation in the 2013 rate adjustment proceedings. The Ratepayer Advocate is an independent party committed to providing the public with clear information on the proposed new rates and representing the views of ratepayers during public proceedings. |
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Contact InformationFor billing disputes related to garbage service contact: For liens related to garbage service contact: |
Mission
San Francisco Public Works is one of the largest and most complex municipal operations in the City, with a 1,600-member workforce and a $384 million annual operating budget. The department's active capital project portfolio exceeds $3 billion. As one of San Francisco oldest City departments, it is also one of the most forward-thinking. Keeping San Francisco beautiful, safe and sustainable.
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