San Francisco, California: a model city for waste management The United States is the largest producer of waste in the world, consuming 30% of the planet's resources and producing 30% of all its waste. This figure is surprising considering that the United States is home to only 4% of the world's population. As the world modernizes and the population increases, producing more waste, waste management programs need to be improved. Many cite San Francisco because the city has achieved a landfill diversion rate of 80 percent, the highest in the nation. Additionally, the city has set a zero waste goal by 2020, meaning no materials are landfilled or destroyed at high temperatures. Although some specific programs are not suitable or likely to be imitated in other parts of the world, San Francisco has become the nation's leading and model city for waste management and recycling in the United States. due to its unique geographic features, mandatory recycling laws, public participation, and an efficient recycling system. First, San Francisco's unique geographic features allow the city to establish and enforce mandatory recycling programs. San Francisco is densely populated and has a large number of smaller, older multi-unit buildings. “Multi-family housing represents nearly 45% of housing in San Francisco, which is significantly higher than the national average of 16%. » When city housing is made up of structures of five units or less, it is easier for trucks to collect and sort waste. Programs such as "Pay-As-You-Throw," where households are charged for trash collection based on the amount of trash they throw away, can work in San Francisco because they consist largely of single-family apartments or in small units. ...... middle of paper ...... 2014.12. “Ordinance on the reduction of plastic bags”. amlegal.com. April 20, 2007. the web. March 30, 2014.13. “Recycling Programs.” epa.gov. and Web. March 30, 2014.14. Rogers, Heather. Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Waste. New York: New, 2005. Print.15. “San Francisco on its way to becoming a zero waste city.” pbs.org. PBS Newshour, January 25, 2013. Web. March 30, 2014.16. “Waste characterization study”. sfenvironment.org. March 2006. The web. March 30, 2014.17. “Waste management”. sustain.sfsu.edu. and Web. March 30, 2014.18. Wollan, Malia. “San Francisco to Strengthen Strict Recycling Law.” nytimes.com. New York Times. June 10, 2009. the web. March 30, 2014.19. Zborel, Tammy. “Waste reduction: strategies for cities. » ucdenver.edu. and Web. March 30, 2014.20. “Zero Waste FAQ.” sfenvironment.org, nd Web. March 30, 2014.21. “Zero Waste Program.” epa.gov. and Web. March 30 2014.