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Announcements
Los Angeles County's Single Use Bag Reduction and Recycling Program - Learn more about how the County is working on reducing single use bag usage and increasing reusable bag usage and at-store recycling of plastic bags through the Single Use Bag Reduction and Recycling Program.
Tire Collection Event in Antelope Valley and Santa Clarita - Bring your scrap tires to our free tire collection event in the Antelope Valley on Saturday, October 25, 2008. Click here for more information.
Safely Manage Your Home-Generated Sharps Waste - After September 1, 2008, State law makes it illegal for residents to dispose of home-generated sharps waste in the trash. To learn more and find out how to properly dispose of sharps waste, click here.
Franchise Commercial Agreements - Notice of Intent – The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works has prepared a Negative Declaration to assess the proposed impacts of awarding Non-Exclusive Franchise Commercial Agreements for solid waste collection in the unincorporated areas of the County. The public review period will end July 24, 2008. Please click here (PDF, 15 MB) to review this document.
Earth Day Events Attended in 2008 - Click here to see how DPW celebrated Earth Day in 2008!
Don’t Create More Electronic Waste! You Do Not Need To Get Rid of Your Analog TV – After February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only. Residents with an analog TV system that uses a rooftop antenna do not need to purchase a new TV; rather they need a converter box to change the digital signal to analog. To find out more, click here.
No Drugs Down the Drain - If you have a medicine cabinet full of expired or unused medications, don't discard them down the sink! Click here for information on how to safely dispose of unused drugs.
Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOG) - The Department of Public Works is proposing amendments to Title 20 - Utilities of the Los Angeles County Code to incorporate and consolidate requirements for the control of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) in the sanitary sewer system. The link to the Draft Copy of Proposed Ordinance Amending Title 20 can be found here (PDF, 664 KB) (Updated October 6, 2008 – see below for updated parts). The revision better defines the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program as required by the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems. It also revises definitions to conform with the 2007 Uniform Plumbing Code and makes references to the Code of Federal Regulations 40CFR for Environmental Protection.

The public information meeting notice for the ordinance to amend Title 20 can be found here (PDF, 12 KB).

El anuncio con respecto a la reunión de información pública de la ordenanza para modificar el Título 20 se puede encontrar aquí (PDF, 14 KB).

Additional references can be found here:
     LA County Sanitary Sewer Management Plan (SSMP)
     Sources for Definitions in Proposed Revisions to Title 20 (PDF, 19 KB)

Updates on the proposed ordinance will be posted on this website. UPDATED October 6, 2008

The following two parts were updated on the proposed ordinance on October 6, 2008.

20.20.121     Food service establishment.

“Food service establishment” means a facility engaged in preparing food for consumption by the public such as a restaurant, bakery, commercial kitchen, caterer, hotel, school, religious institution, hospital, prison, correctional facility, or care institution.

20.36.310     Permit - required when.

D.     For the purpose of this section, discharges resulting from garbage grinders powered by motors less greater than one and one-half horsepower, in food service establishments in accordance with the provisions of Title 28 of this code and where such facilities are not required by other provisions of this Division 2, are not considered to be industrial waste discharges.

Public Counter To top of page
Public Counter
Visit the Environmental Programs Division Public Counter to get forms, apply for permits, or request technical reviews for industrial waste or underground storage tank plans or methane gas migration protection systems. The Public Counter is located in the Annex Building of the DPW Headquarters Complex (map), phone: (626) 458-3517 and is open Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Trash Collection To top of page
Franchise Solid Waste Collection System
The Franchise Solid Waste Collection System has been implemented in several County unincorporated areas to provide residents with enhanced solid waste and recyclables collection services. Additional areas will be implemented soon.

The Garbage Disposal Districts are unincorporated County areas in which solid waste collection services are provided to residents and businesses by contract waste haulers.

In an effort to reduce the amount of trash from our roads and to prevent it from getting into our storm drain which leads to the ocean, the County has installed trash bins at most bus stop locations within the County unincorporated areas. If you want to report a dirty shelter or excess trash, please call (626) 458-3961.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle To top of page
Recycling
Our C&D Debris Recycling and Reuse Ordinance page provides information on the Ordinance, including forms, resources, and upcoming events.

LACoMAX, the Los Angeles County Materials Exchange, is a free Countywide materials reuse service that can help you find markets for your surplus materials and other usable discards.

The SmartBusiness Recycling Program uses a Recycler Locator to help businesses find where to recycle construction & demolition materials, electronics and computers, food waste, textiles, and many other business wastes. Residents can search for recyclers too! (en Español).

Is your company a manufacturer which uses materials that would otherwise head straight for the landfill? Find out how the Los Angeles County RMDZ Program can help your business by clicking here.

Find out about the County's Residential Recycling Program here (en Español).

Our Junk Mail resource page provides information about reducing unwanted junk mail.

Should every bottle and can get another chance at life? Ever ask a beverage container why you should recycle? The California Department of Conservation has the answers.

Recycling Coordinators List for all 88 cities in Los Angeles County (Maintained by the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County).

Listing of recycling facilities and services by zip code by the California Department of Conservation and Earth's 911 nationwide database.

Conversion Technologies To top of page
Conversion Technologies
Conversion technologies are sophisticated processes capable of converting post-recycled residual solid waste into renewable energy, green fuels and other beneficial products. The County of Los Angeles is at the forefront of evaluating and promoting these advanced technologies.

For more information, including links to download a copy of our Phase II Report, please visit our conversion technology website.
Household Hazardous Waste (en Español) To top of page
Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste is any leftover product labeled toxic, poison, corrosive, flammable, combustible, or irritant, that you want to discard. Find out more at our Household Hazardous Waste website.

Do you have old paint, oil, cleaners, televisions, electronics, or universal waste that you're not sure what to do with? Dispose of these items properly at a FREE Household Hazardous/Electronic Waste (HHW/E-Waste) Collection Event near you - there's one almost every weekend around L.A. County.

The Antelope Valley Environmental Collection Center accepts household hazardous waste and electronic waste for FREE. The Center is open every 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.

Make your own Alternative Household Products (PDF, 855 KB, also en Español) using ingredients found in most household cabinets.

Hazardous waste generated by businesses are not eligible for the free HHW Collection Events. Find a licensed hazardous waste hauler in your local telephone directory or via an online search. Businesses in Los Angeles County may qualify for the Small Quantity Generator Collection Program.

Yard Waste/Smart Gardening To top of page
Yard Waste
Use our Smart Gardening website to reduce and recycle residential yard waste and improve your garden. Attend a Smart Gardening Workshop to learn about composting, worm composting, grass recycling, water-wise gardening and fire-wise gardening.
Tire Recycling/Rubberized Asphalt To top of page
Tire Recycling/Rubberized Asphalt
Find out about the Countywide Waste Tire Recycling Program and free Waste Tire Collection Events.
Industrial Waste To top of page
Industrial Waste
Proper handling and disposal of wastewater is essential to the protection of our environment. The Industrial Waste Unit regulates industrial waste dischargers in the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles and 38 contract cities.
The Department of Public Works is proposing amendments to Title 20 - Utilities of the Los Angeles County Code to incorporate and consolidate requirements for the control of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) in the sanitary sewer system. The link to the Draft Copy of Proposed Ordinance Amending Title 20 can be found here (PDF, 664 KB) (Updated October 6, 2008 – see below for updated parts). The revision better defines the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program as required by the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems. It also revises definitions to conform with the 2007 Uniform Plumbing Code and makes references to the Code of Federal Regulations 40CFR for Environmental Protection.

The public information meeting notice for the ordinance to amend Title 20 can be found here (PDF, 12 KB).

El anuncio con respecto a la reunión de información pública de la ordenanza para modificar el Título 20 se puede encontrar aquí (PDF, 14 KB).

Additional references can be found here:
     LA County Sanitary Sewer Management Plan (SSMP)
     Sources for Definitions in Proposed Revisions to Title 20 (PDF, 19 KB)

Updates on the proposed ordinance will be posted on this website. UPDATED October 6, 2008

The following two parts were updated on the proposed ordinance on October 6, 2008.

20.20.121     Food service establishment.

“Food service establishment” means a facility engaged in preparing food for consumption by the public such as a restaurant, bakery, commercial kitchen, caterer, hotel, school, religious institution, hospital, prison, correctional facility, or care institution.

20.36.310     Permit - required when.

D.     For the purpose of this section, discharges resulting from garbage grinders powered by motors less greater than one and one-half horsepower, in food service establishments in accordance with the provisions of Title 28 of this code and where such facilities are not required by other provisions of this Division 2, are not considered to be industrial waste discharges.

Underground Storage Tanks To top of page
Underground Storage Tanks
The Underground Storage Tank Program regulates underground tanks in the unincorporated areas and 77 cities in the County of Los Angeles.
Solid Waste To top of page
Solid Waste
Visit the Solid Waste Information Management System (SWIMS) website for a listing of solid waste facilities that are open to the public, disposal tonnage reports, and publications such as the Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Plan.
Solid Waste Committee/Integrated Waste Management Task Force To top of page
Solid Waste Management Committee
The Task Force oversees solid waste management policy in the County of Los Angeles, and is comprised of representatives from local government, the solid waste management and recycling industry, and members of the general public, the business sector, and environmental organizations.
Illegal Dumping To top of page
blank
To learn more or to report large piles of illegally dumped trash, visit our illegal dumping website.
Youth Education To top of page
Youth Education
Plan-it Earth is an exciting environmental study unit for students grades 6 through 9. Participants get classroom sets of the Los Angeles Times and a curriculum. Teachers can download sample lesson plans here.

Our Environmental Defenders program reaches out to elementary school youth to teach them about helping our environment.

The Generation Earth program provides development training and personalized support to secondary school teachers and students. It encourages those who want to make a difference in their local environment by creating campus eco-projects.

Standard-based K-12 teaching curriculum, no cost teacher training workshops, information, and assistance for schools and districts that want to do more to protect the environment (provided by the California Integrated Waste Management Board).

The CIWMB's Environmental Ambassador Pilot Program was designed to bring environmental education home to students and school staff by promoting sustainable elementary and secondary school programs.
Used Oil Recycling To top of page
Oil drop

Why We Should Recycle Used Motor Oil.  Important facts on used motor oil. Recycling your used oil is easy, just follow these simple steps.

Used motor oil and filters should be brought to one of the 650 state-certified used oil collection centers for recycling at no charge.

Stormwater To top of page
Rain water
Visit the Watershed Management Division Website to learn more about the Municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, Standard Urban Stormwater Mitigation Plan (SUSMP), the County's Stormwater Ordinance, watersheds, and related items.
  The Stormwater & Runnoff Pollution Control Program was created to track specific industrial and commercial businesses in the unincorporated County area to determine compliance with the requirements in the provisions of the Municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region.
  To report illegal dumping/discharges anywhere in Los Angeles County, into the County's Storm Drain System, call 1(888)CLEAN LA,  24 hours per day.
  Visit the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Website, see the “Don’t Trash California” campaign, and get more information on keeping our neighborhoods, oceans, and local waterways clean.
  Contact your local Stormwater Coordinator to report a clogged storm drain, request storm drain stenciling, and learn about what your city is doing to improve water quality.
  What you can do to prevent pollution of our neighborhoods and beaches.
  Have an RV? Find a site for the safe disposal of RV sewage in Los Angeles County (en Español).
Water Conservation To top of page
Waves
Conserve our precious water supply. Get more information on water facts and indoor and outdoor conservation.


  Sponsored by the County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Works
Environmental Programs Division
900 S. Fremont Ave, 3rd Floor Annex
Alhambra, CA 91803-1331
Call toll free at 1(888)CLEAN LA

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