Neighborhood Clean-Up Reports and Next Steps for a Cleaner Community

This past March, our RHN Clean Up and Smile event coordinated with the SF Department of Environment for their audit of litter by neighborhood. Here are the results of their study, which highlight key findings and opportunities for action:

Common Litter Types

Soiled paper (receipts, napkins) and thin film plastics (food wrappers, packaging) were the most prevalent types of litter.

Cigarette Butts

While cigarette butts were tracked, they were excluded from the data analysis to avoid skewing results, as they far outnumbered other litter types.

Key Recommendations for Food Establishments

The audit suggests improving waste practices by focusing on better bin setups, switching to reusable items, and offering food and beverage accessories only upon request.

FINDINGS BY NEIGHBORHOOD

Insights & Actionable Steps


  • Increase Education: Encourage local businesses, especially food establishments, to adopt better waste practices.
  • Advocate for Reusables: Support the shift from single-use packaging and foodware to more sustainable options.
  • Community Involvement: Participate in the "Bring Your Own Cup" (BYOC) campaign and help reduce single-use cups.


SFE is also scaling their volunteer network and event programming. If you’d like to collaborate or help with outreach, reach out to SFEVolunteers@sfgov.org or kristen.law@sfgov.org.


Together, we can take action for a cleaner, greener neighborhood!