Mayor Gavin Newsom took his message about mandatory recycling programs to the Op-Ed page of the Sacramento Bee yesterday, aiming in particular at so-called "high temperature disposal technologies" which he calls "just glorified incineration" and not sustainable. Newsom also takes the opportunity to tout the new, large-scale, mandatory composting programs in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Newsom's op-ed follows on the approval of a draft ordinance by the California Integrated Waste Management Board that would allow local governments to fine businesses who were not in compliance with local recycling laws. Also, the ordinance would require local municipalities across the state to enact compulsory commercial recycling programs by 2013.

Meanwhile in San Francisco, curmudgeonly apartment managers and landlords citywide are still trying to figure out which grocery bags are compostable and where to put their take-out containers. [via NBC Bay Area]