FISHERMAN’S WHARF COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICT LAUNCHES ZERO WASTE RECOGNITION PROGRAM FOR SF WHARF BUSINESSES
FISHERMAN’S WHARF COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICT LAUNCHES ZERO WASTE RECOGNITION PROGRAM FOR SF WHARF BUSINESSES
1 November 2012 – San Francisco, CA: The Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District (FWCBD) whose goal is to become a waste free zone by 2018, two years ahead of San Francisco’s mandated deadline, has launched a Zero Waste Business Recognition Program to recognize district businesses whom have met this criteria. The Fisherman’s Wharf Zero Waste Program was created to encourage waste prevention and reduction, recycling, and composting at all businesses. The FWCBD will acknowledge neighborhood hotels, restaurants, businesses, and attractions as they achieve this goal, and will promote this recognition to the community and visitors. Details about the Zero Waste Program can be found at www.visitfishermanswharf.com/zero-waste-initiatives/zero-waste-recognition-program.
“Over the past two years, with the aid of the city’s Department of Environment and L2 Environmental, Fisherman’s Wharf businesses have been working hard to make our district a zero waste zone,” said Troy Campbell, FWCBD Executive Director. “In an area of the city that receives over 8 million visitors a year, we want to make sure we are doing everything we can to limit waste and increase our diversion rate. This program allows us to recognize those businesses that have made great strides and have achieved the zero waste goals and continue to maintain them.”
The San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s 679-02 Resolution mandated zero waste by 2020; the FWCBD intends to achieve zero waste by the end of 2017. In November 2010, the FWCBD received a grant from SF Environment to help achieve these goals. Guided by the expertise of a specialized consultant, L2 Environmental, which has developed the Wharf’s Zero Waste Program, the FWCBD is now working with SF Environment, Recology, the Port of San Francisco, and local non-profits (i.e. SF Conservation Corps, SF Job Corps), with the goal of making Fisherman’s Wharf a Zero Waste Zone.
Grant funds have been used for recycling equipment, outreach, and the specialist to work directly with the participants to educate management and employees, develop and maintain the diversion database, and train FWCBD staff to maintain the program, working directly with Recology for participant diversion needs.
By organizing the neighborhood’s residents, retailers, restaurants, landowners, tourist attractions, special events, and the fishing industry, the FWCBD provides an unprecedented opportunity to develop a uniform zero waste program with clearly defined goals.
To receive zero waste business recognition, the following criteria must be met:
– Commitment to the triple bottom line where social, environmental and economic performance standards are met together.
Divert more than 90% of the solid wastes generated from landfill from all facilities.
– Buy reused, recycled and composted whenever possible.
– Edible food donated in accordance with the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
– Encourage source reduction to minimize waste.
– Promote reuse of unwanted items.
After meeting these criteria, FWCBD businesses complete an online application, and submit proof of material disposal and diversion by weight and type for the previous three months. After the application has been approved, a FWCBD team member conducts an on-site evaluation to ensure the business has met all the certification criteria. If achieved, the business will be notified of the recognition award 15 calendar days after the on-site evaluation. If recognition is not approved, the Zero Waste team assists the business in determining ways to increase compliance.
Businesses that achieve Zero Waste recognition earn a Recognition Award from the FWCBD, are able to use the Zero Waste Business logo, receive extra promotion as a Zero Waste Business on the FWCBD website, as well as promotion to the media.
Scoma’s Restaurant is the first Wharf business to receive this recognition of zero waste. In addition, both Pier 39 and the Red and White Fleet have to date achieved a 75 percent or better waste diversion rate. It is anticipated that within the next five years all FWCBD businesses and attractions will be fully compliant with the aims of the program.
For more information visit www.visitfishermanswharf.com