San Francisco has achieved a 77 percent diversion rate, blowing past its stated 2010 goal of 75 percent diversion. That’s up from 72 percent in 2009. Given the stratospheric recycling rate, a new U.S. record, the city may opt to cut back on trash collection.
“It’s those urban centers that are consuming the vast majority of resources and then disposing them in your backyard, in a landfill near you,’’ said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, praising the new diversion rate at a press event. "Unless we come up with the creative ideas, these cities will be dumping their waste down the road from your playground, down the road from your park.