Recology

In a new study on the environmental sustainability of major cities, San Francisco ranked #1. The rankings were based on environmental policies that examined carbon emissions, energy, land use, buildings, transportation, water, waste, air quality and environmental governance.

SF Has a Perfect Recycling Score

San Francisco ranked near the top in six categories, but stood alone in one area–-recycling. In that category, the city earned 100 points out of a possible 100.

Mayor Edwin Lee said the achievement is “an honor for San Francisco,” which  “is committed to working toward a greener, healthier future.”

The report, conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit and commissioned by Siemens Corp., credited San Francisco’s recycling and composting programs as the city’s “strongest” environmental area.

San Francisco, in 2009, became the first U.S. city to require that all residents and businesses separate recycling and compost materials from normal trash. The report stated that for years San Francisco has been a trailblazer in partnering with the private sector on innovative green initiatives.

The study compared 27 major U.S. and Canadian cities on categories such as environmental governance and performance. In grabbing the mantle of greenest major city, San Francisco topped New York, Seattle, Denver, and Boston.

“The Green Cities Index demonstrates that America’s cities are the driving force behind the nation’s sustainability efforts,” said Eric Spiegel, president and CEO, Siemens Corp.

The study provided some important key findings. Notably, cities that performed best in the rankings are the ones that have comprehensive sustainability plans. San Francisco is working to achieve zero waste by 2020, a goal set by the Board of Supervisors.

We are proud that our good, hard work, in partnership with the city, has contributed to setting an example in the U.S. and Canada.