For Immediate Release

December 22, 2008

Contact: Christine Falvey

Tel: (415) 554-6931

Poor Global Economy Leads to San Francisco Sidewalk Clutter

Public Works Begins Outreach Effort

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - A decline in the value of recycled cardboard, stemming from the economic downturn, has resulted in cardboard piling up on sidewalks outside many businesses in San Francisco neighborhoods.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is reaching out to businesses to eliminate illegal cardboard setouts and reduce sidewalk clutter.

According to industry reports, the price that recyclers can collect for cardboard fell from more than $150 per ton to about $35 per ton prompting illegal recycling haulers, also known as "mosquito fleets," to stop their collections. Business owners, however, have been placing the used cardboard on city sidewalks anticipating its immediate collection.

The situation has caused a great deal of cardboard to appear and remain on city streets.

"This is an issue that affects the cleanliness of our streets. All recyclables, including cardboard, should only be placed out for collection when a licensed hauler is scheduled to pick it up," said Mohammed Nuru, Deputy Director of Operations for DPW.

DPW, Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling Company and Sunset Scavenger Company are working together to educate businesses about proper time and placement for cardboard recycling to mitigate the problem.

Residents may report illegal dumping and sidewalk issues at www.sfgov.org/311 or by calling 311.

DPW is responsible for the care and maintenance of San Francisco's streets and much of its infrastructure. The department cleans and resurfaces streets, plants and maintains city street trees; designs, constructs and maintains city-owned facilities, conducts sidewalk and roadway inspections, constructs curb ramps, provides mechanical and manual street cleaning, removes graffiti from public property, and partners with the diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco to provide stellar cleaning and greening services. DPW serves San Francisco residents, merchants and visitors 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

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