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November 9, 2009 Section 5: Waste Reduction and Recycling with average waste generation (4.5 Ibs/day per capita), recycling (30 percent), and baseline disposal in a landfill with no gas collection system could increase its recycling rate to 40 percent, it would reduce emissions by more than 3,400 metric tons of COze per year. Composting is a management option for food discards, yard trimmings, and other biogenic materials that significantly reduces the generation of methane in landfills. EPA researchers believe that well-managed compost operations usually do not generate CH4 because they typically maintain an oxygen rich environment. EPA also found that composting results in carbon storage, meaning carbon dioxide is effectively removed from the atmosphere, of approximately 0.05 metric tons of CO2 per ton of organics composted and applied to agricultural soil. As San Leandro works towards a more sustainable future, waste reduction and recycling will be a key component of a comprehensive strategy. For this Climate Action Plan, we are focusing on goals and measures that address the "Three R's": Reduce, Re-use, Recycle (and compost). The City of San Leandro has already established a 75 percent waste diversion goal by 2010. The City may wish to expand on such efforts and adopt a zero waste policy like San Francisco and Oakland have done. 5.1 Goal: Increase recycling and composting in the residential sector San Leandro offers food scrap recycling collection services to residents. The program allows residents to mix food and food soiled paper with yard trimmings for weekly collection. The program is easy, convenient and provided at no additional cost to garbage and recycling collection rates. The City offers food scrap pails and pail liners for free to residents. Traditionally, meat and bones aren't used in composting, but because the city grinds the items, these items are acceptable ~~~~ SAN t~yo Page 39 ~r ~ 1,~. ~~@,. Photo Credit: Kessner Photography