SAN FRANCISCO -- San Franciscans may soon face stiff fines for not recycling, under a new ordinance proposed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom that would have trash collectors snooping through residents' waste.

The law would require all residents to properly sort their recycling, waste, and compost, placing the items in their correct respective bin. Trash collectors would be responsible for tagging the bins if mismatched waste is found; the bin would then remain as-is, un-emptied.

The fine for a first violation would be $500, increasing to $750 for a second offense within the same year. The fine for a third violation would be $1000.

San Francisco already has the nation’s best recycling participation rates in the country. Diversion, which includes recycling, composting, and re-use, has increased from 35% in 1996, to 70% today. Diversion accounts for 1,415,159 tons of waste, or 70% of the total waste stream.

"San Francisco is making it easier than ever to participate in recycling collection programs, and our new 70% diversion rate is proof of our commitment a zero-waste future," said Mayor Newsom in a statement. "I want to build upon this commitment to waste reduction with legislation that will get us to a 75% recycling rate and ultimately support our 2012 Climate Action Plan goal."