What You Didn't Know About Recycling in LA
When people talk about recycling they are discussing the process of converting used goods or waste products into something that can be used again or re-purposed for something else.
There was a time when there was a conception that recycling was limited to items such as paper, glass, aluminum cans and certain kinds of scrap metal. Perhaps that was once true but it certainly is not any longer. Today there is a very large list of items that people use that can be recycled including paper, plastic, Styrofoam, metals, cell phones, computers, ink cartridges, tires and water.
There is no single reason why people choose to recycle. For some it comes from a sense of duty to act as a steward for the earth and the environment. Others choose to do so because of financial incentives that come from turning in goods that can be recycled.
Basic Residential Services
City of Los Angeles
Department of Public Works
Bureau of Sanitation
(213) 485-2230
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According to the Bureau of Sanitation's website, the City of Los Angeles holds the honor of being the number one city for recycling in the United States. That information comes from a 2009 study that found that Los Angeles has the highest recycling rate of the most populous cities in the country.
The recycling program generates "240,000 tons of recyclables and 480,000 tons of yard trimmings" per year. That is a comprehensive program that includes a variety of services such as curbside collection for single units and multi-family residential units.
The Bureau has created a helpful list of what can and cannot be recycled in the blue, green and black Bureau of Sanitation Containers:
Besides handling what's in your regular bins, the Bureau also provides a number of other services including used tire drop-off, yard trimmings, Christmas Tree recycling, horse manure collection and a special moving service that can be used to collect boxes used for the purpose of moving in/out of a home. There are also fixed locations where residents can drop off their hazardous waste.
Wastewater
Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant
6100 Woodley Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 778-4138
The Bureau of Sanitation is also responsible for wastewater services. It uses a number of plants throughout the city to treat and recycle water, which is then used to support various city lakes and irrigation services. The Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant is one example. Located in Van Nuys, the plant was opened in 1985 and now treats 26 million gallons of water per day.
Live tours of the plant can be arranged by calling 818-778-4138.
Japanese Garden
6100 Woodley Ave,
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 756-8166
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On the site of the Tillman plant and benefiting from its water is the Japanese Garden, a wonderful example of a facility that uses the city's wastewater recycling to our benefit. The garden is open to visitors who for a small fee can wander through on a self guided or docent led tour. The grounds hold a "6½ acre authentic Japanese garden fashioned after 'stroll gardens' constructed during the 18th and 19th centuries for Japanese Feudal lords. Our facility is unique in that it incorporates three classical designs: a dry karensansui, a wet garden with promenade chisen, and an authentic tea ceremony garden incorporating a 4.5 tatami mat tea room."
California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act
You probably won't recognize the name of the act but if you purchase beverages in California then you are familiar with it. It refers to the charge that is levied upon applicable beverage purchases at stores. It is a fee that can be recovered by recycling containers at certified centers.
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, administers the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act. It covers beverages in various plastic and glass containers. The beverages fall under the California Redemption Value (CRV), which is 5 cents for containers less than 24 ounces, 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger. The CRV is the minimum refund amount applied to recycled beverage containers. Sometimes a scrap fee may be paid in addition to it.
Under the auspices of The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act there is a requirement that supermarkets with gross annual sales of at least $2 million create a convenience zone around them. That means that unless a store has been provided with an exemption, a recycling center must be located within a half mile radius of the store. Otherwise the store is required to redeem the CRV or pay a daily fee.
rePLANET Recycling Centers
Locations throughout Los Angeles
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rePLANET Recycling Centers owned by a company based in Norway. They are located throughout the state of California and are composed of both staffed and automated recycling units. They are commonly found adjoining supermarkets. They accept aluminum, glass and plastic containers. The site includes a list of what they pay per unit.
C & M Metals
1709 E. 24th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90058
(323) 234-4662
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C & M Metals offers a wide variety of recycling services for various metals. They also serve as a facility that can handle e-waste safely disposing of old computers, printers and other used electronic devices. Here is a handy link that you can use to locate recycling centers that are conveniently located close to your home or office.
Joshua Wilner is a writer and father of two in Los Angeles.
