California leads the U.S. in environmental protection and innovation. Various programs and legislation that our state introduces — often in the face of national controversy — later become the norm for the rest of the country. In particular, San Francisco blazes this trail. For example, the City was the first in the nation to offer collection of "compostables" along with regular recycling and garbage pickups. San Francisco now intends to reach a target of 75% recycling of the waste stream by 2010, a goal that surpasses even the 50% recycling law handed down by the state.

Though participation is voluntary, the composting effort is part of the "Fantastic Three" program, a citywide initiative to increase recycling. The name signifies the breakdown of waste collection into three separate components: regular mixed recyclables (blue container); compostables (green container); and regular trash (black container). If you would like to participate in the composting program, call whichever carrier currently handles your trash and/or recycling collection to confirm the availability of "Fantastic Three" in your area: 

• Golden Gate Disposal & Recycling Company, (415) 626-4000, for downtown residences;
  
  
• Sunset Scavenger Company, (415) 330-1300, for the rest of San Francisco. 

Either company can also provide you with the exact details on what may and may not go into your green composting bin. There is no charge for pickup of compostables or recyclables in the city of San Francisco, and you can even request larger carts at no extra charge.

So how does the overall program work? Very simply, you toss your yard trimmings, food scraps and soiled paper into the designated green container. Next, Golden Gate or Sunset Scavenger hauls away the contents, which are trucked to San Francisco's composting facility, Jepson Prairie Organics (JPO). There, they eventually become compost, "a dark, crumbly, sweet-smelling soil conditioner." JPO then sells this compost wholesale to various enterprises, such as local vineyards and organic farms. 

The program is worthwhile and does not entail much effort on the part of residents. If you are concerned about the smell of all those food scraps, branches, leaves and grass, you can buy compostable liner bags at over 80 stores throughout the City. For a list of retail outlets that carry these special bags, visit NORCAL Waste Systems, Inc. online. Composting couldn't be easier. Perhaps soon, green plastic composting bins will be as ubiquitous as the blue recycling ones.