Mayor Gavin Newsom, who seems to be getting a decent amount of ink in the Gray Old Lady these days, says the following about recycling:

It's purposefulness that could otherwise be construed as ego...[y]ou want to be the greatest city. You want to be the leading city. You want to be on the cutting edge. I'm very intense about it.

Well put.

Also, for your enjoyment, some footage of the Gav working it in Tel Aviv, Israel. Oy!