County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works

Residential Recycling Program in Unincorporated Areas of the County of Los Angeles

Why     Who     What     How     When     Where

WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE?
The County of Los Angeles Recycling Ordinance (90-0167) requires waste haulers to provide recycling services to all residents in the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles. However, there is no law "requiring" residents to recycle. Recycling is a voluntary activity practiced by many residents and businesses which prevents millions of tons of waste from ending up in landfills.

Today, recycling is easier than ever to do with manufacturers providing easily identifiable recycling symbols on their products. Recycling containers are also easy to obtain from waste haulers in the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles. The following are just some of the ways that you can improve your community and the environment when you recycle:

• Save natural resources
• Save landfill space
• Reduce pollution
• Save energy
• Save money
• Create employment

WHO SHOULD RECYCLE?
EVERYONE should recycle, but especially residents of the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles. Most people living in single-family homes, duplexes, and apartment and condominium complexes have curbside recycling services (excluding some areas in the Antelope Valley).

 

WHAT IF I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT OR CONDOMINIUM?
If you live in an apartment building or condominium complex, contact your building manager or homeowners' association about obtaining recycling services through your waste hauler.

 

WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED?
Newspaper, cardboard, junk mail, magazines, telephone books, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and tin, all plastics numbered 1 and 2 (PET and HDPE), and green waste. Here's a sample listing of recyclable material (please contact your individual waste hauler for detailed information on their recycling requirements).

 

HOW DO I START RECYCLING?
Contact your waste hauler. They will deliver a recycling bin free of charge to residents in the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles. If you live in an apartment building or condominium complex, talk to your building manager or homeowners' association about obtaining recycling services.

 

DO I HAVE TO SEPARATE THE RECYCLABLE ITEMS?
Some areas within the County of Los Angeles utilize commingled collection. In those areas, you are not required to separate your recyclables and green waste from trash. Contact your waste hauler for specific information on how to separate recyclables in your area.

 

ARE THERE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR NEWSPAPER?
Most waste haulers request that newspapers be placed on top of the other recyclable items or alongside the bin, preferably in a paper bag, so that the newsprint doesn't become wet or contaminated.

 

DO I HAVE TO RINSE OUT MY CONTAINER?
Rinsing out is not required, but it may prevent bugs, odors, and sticky residue in your recycling bins.

 

HOW MUCH WILL THIS RECYCLING SERVICE COST?
Your waste hauler is allowed to set a reasonable fee for this service to offset operational and administrative costs. Usually, the charge ranges from fifty cents to three dollars per month.

 

THE WASTE HAULERS MUST MAKE A LOT OF MONEY FROM THE SALE OF RECYCLABLE ITEMS, SO WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A RECYCLING SERVICE FEE?
Your waste hauler is required to provide this recycling service to residents in the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles. The waste hauler incurs many additional operational costs, including additional trucks, drivers, staff, recycling bins, etc. The revenue obtained from the sale of these recyclable items usually does not cover the cost of providing this service.

 

I ALREADY RECYCLE ON MY OWN. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY A RECYCLING SERVICE FEE?
The County Recycling Ordinance, which mandates that your waste hauler provide you with recycling service, also allows the company to set a reasonable fee to offset costs. The fee must be "non-discriminatory," meaning that all of the waste hauler's customers must be charged the same fee whether or not they choose to participate in the program.

 

MY RECYCLING BIN IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD ALL OF MY RECYCLABLES. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
For single-family residents, call your waste hauler and request an additional bin. For multi-family residents, talk to your building manager or homeowners' association.

 

I NOTICED STRANGERS GOING THROUGH MY RECYCLING BIN. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
This illegal activity is called scavenging. By County Ordinance (Section 20.72.196) of the Los Angeles County Code, it is a misdemeanor and is punishable by fine and/or possible jail time. For your own safety, do not confront the scavenger yourself. The County Sheriff's Department is responsible for enforcement of the Ordinance. If you notice scavengers in your neighborhood, please contact your local Sheriff's Department and provide them with any information that would be helpful for their investigation, such as vehicle license plate number, vehicle description, time, day, and any other pertinent details.

 

WHEN AND WHERE SHOULD I PLACE MY RECYCLING BIN?
Place your recycling bin next to your trash on your regular trash collection day. Placing your recycling bin out on the morning of collection rather than the night before may prevent scavenging. If you live in an apartment or condominium complex, place your recyclable materials in the recycling bin(s) in your building.

 

AM I REQUIRED TO GIVE MY RECYCLABLES TO MY WASTE HAULER, OR CAN I GIVE THEM TO SOMEONE ELSE?
You are not required to give your recyclable materials to your waste hauler. These materials are yours and you may place them for collection by your waste hauler, donate them to a local charity/church, or you may personally return these materials to a local recycling buy-back center.

 

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT L.A. COUNTY'S RECYCLING PROGRAM?
Residents can call the County's toll-free recycling hotline at 1(888)CLEAN LA or visit 888CleanLA.com.