SFCC Recycling Center

Overview

The San Francisco Conservation Corps Recycling Center promotes the skill development and educational achievement of young adults (ages 18-26 called Corpsmembers) by providing hands-on, service experience in the recycling, re-use and environmental education fields. The Team serves San Francisco's citizens and communities by providing much needed recycling, litter abatement and environmental education programs.

Structure

ROT hosts 10 Corpsmembers who work full-time at the Presidio Recycling, Reuse, and Education Center and are responsible for the following:

• Offer recycling services to public agencies, non-profit organizations, small businesses, California State Buildings, recreational areas, and non-residential tenants in the Presidio.
• Manage daily operations at the Presidio Recycling Center, including a public recycling drop-off program, collections, processing and tracking recyclables.
• Provide recycling education to the public and host tours at the Presidio Recycling Center.
• Make classroom presentations about environmental issues.
• Distribute recycling information and provide services at special events.
• Partner with the Presidio Trust and other agencies for various projects.

Program Benefits

As our society searches for ways to respond to major changes in government social policy, the Recycling Outreach Team serves as a model of effective on-the-job training for youth interested in environmental careers. The Recycling Outreach Team offers critical opportunities for members to:

• Improve job readiness and develop a competitive edge in the general job market, as well as in the growing fields of recycling, solid waste management and environmental education.
• Develop a range of professional skills ranging from critical thinking and time management, to public speaking, lesson planning, Class B vehicle and forklift operation.
• Explore career options, and set and pursue career goals.

The program also benefits the City of San Francisco by meeting many of the City's unmet recycling needs. In particular, ROT provides technical assistance, education and comprehensive recycling services to non-profit organizations, Presidio residents, recreational areas and other organizations in San Francisco. The Recycling Outreach Team makes a significant and measurable contribution to San Francisco's efforts to reach its goal of reducing total tonnage to landfills. Between July 2002 and June 30, 2003, ROT collected and sorted over 390 tons of recyclables, including glass, aluminum, PET #1, and HDPE #2 plastics, white and mixed paper, newspaper and cardboard from over 100 accounts and public recreation areas, and our public drop-off recycling center.

For more information, please contact:

Laura McKaughan, Recycling Projects Manager
415.928-7417 x315

Cell: 415.716.7351
E-mail: lmckaughan@sfcc.org