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

The Virtual Warehouse (VW) serves to implement the San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 21.03(i) (Disposal of Surplus) and the San Francisco Environment Code Chapter 5 (Resource Conservation Ordinance).

The Resource Conservation Ordinance requires all City departments to:

• Minimize waste
• Reuse materials
• Recycle as much as possible
• Purchase materials made from recycled content

The Surplus Disposal Ordinance requires departments to turn in City property to the Virtual Warehouse. 

The Department of the Environment manages the Virtual Warehouse and follows this 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, such as old or high mileage vehicles, are auctioned off. These items are available to the public through First Capitol Auction.
   
   
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.