As most of the City calls it a day, the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Entertainment Commission and Norcal Waste Systems, Inc. have been visiting some of the City’s busiest nightlife spots in an effort to curb the amount of litter, including gum and cigarette butts, that end up on the sidewalks of some of the City’s busiest nightlife districts.
 
Business owners are receiving information from City staff about placing ashtrays and garbage cans at each exit of their business and encouraging their patrons to use them in a litter prevention effort during specially-organized Night Walks conducted by DPW and the Entertainment Commission.
 
“These night walks are a creative way to reach out to business and club owners who we miss during normal business hours,” said Mohammed Nuru, DPW Deputy Director for Operations.  “Most of the businesses we have encountered are eager to help keep the City clean and have become valuable partners.”
 
The team made rounds in 25 neighborhoods from Chestnut Street to the Mission, to North Beach and Haight Street. City staff walked the busy corridors into the late evening to educate 1,000 establishments. The walks resulted in 119 written warnings, five citations, and Norcal Waste Systems identified 84 businesses with no garbage service.