About the Virtual Warehouse

The City and County of San Francisco's Virtual Warehouse facilitates the reuse, recycling, and proper disposal of surplus City materials.

The Surplus Disposal Ordinance establishes a reuse and recycling hierarchy for redistributing surplus City-owned equipment and supplies. 

The Resource Conservation Ordinance requires all City departments to:

  • Minimize waste
  • Reuse materials
  • Recycle as much as possible

The Department of the Environment manages the Virtual Warehouse and follows the Surplus Disposal Ordinance hierarchy when determining what to do with the surplus items.

  1. Reuse by City Departments
    Surplus materials are made available online to City departments.

  2. Public Auction
    Surplus materials that are no longer appropriate for the City's continued use, but have some monetary value are auctioned, such as old or high mileage vehicles.

  3. Donations
    Surplus materials such as excess office furniture are donated to schools and non-profit organizations. These organizations must be certified 501C's.

  4. Recycle Surplus for Salvage Value
    Materials such as scrap metal, are recycled for salvage value.