San Francisco is widely recognized for its mandatory recycling and composting system, which has helped the city achieve one of the highest landfill diversion rates in North America.
Census data shows that over 40% of commuters use public transit, walking, cycling, or carpooling, far above the national average. Combined with compact land use, this significantly reduces transportation emissions.
What San Francisco Does Well
- Industry-leading waste and composting systems
- Strong transit and cycling adoption
- High concentration of zero-energy and green buildings
Trade-Offs to Know
- Extreme housing costs
- Earthquake risk
- Sustainability increasingly tied to income
