San Francisco official receives Recycling Champion of the Year award

Sacramento, California-based Californians Against Waste (CAW), a statewide environmental advocacy group, has named San Francisco Department of Environment Director Debbie Raphael its Recycling Champion of the Year. She was recognized at the CAW’s annual event, held in Sacramento, Aug. 11, 2016.

Mark Murray, CAW executive director, said, “Under Debbie’s leadership, San Francisco has not only set ambitious waste reduction and climate targets but [also] has implemented concrete policies to achieve these goals.

“Debbie has set a tremendous example for other communities by blazing a path forward locally on important issues like producer responsibility, ending the blight of plastic pollution and recovering food waste to feed people and sequester carbon," he added.

In a letter announcing the award, CAW highlights Raphael’s “thoughtfulness, commitment and tenacity” as well as her “tireless advocacy” on waste reduction, producer responsibilityand recycling during her public service career with San Francisco (1999-2011) as well as her time as director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (2011-2014).

Under Raphael’s direction, CAW noted, the Department of Environment has continued to implement innovative policies and programs to help San Francisco reach its goal of zero waste.

Further, in June, San Francisco approved the most comprehensive ban on polystyrene foam products in the country; and later this year, the department will oversee the implementation of a producer-funded safe drug disposal program that will make it easier for residents to recycle their unwanted medications.

During the event, the CAW also recognized California State Assemblyman Richard Bloom of Santa Monica as Legislator of the Year.