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Recycling


The City manages a comprehensive recycling program that annually collects over 240,000 tons of recyclables and 480,000 tons of yard trimmings. Curbside collection, and both "permanent (S.A.F.E. Centers)" and mobile drop-off centers are available for a variety of recyclable materials. With a goal of surpassing the state mandated 50% target for landfill diversion, the Bureau has developed and implemented effective and economically feasible source reduction, buy-recycled, and reuse programs, activities, and policies for its residential, businesses, and institutional users customers.


Los Angeles Ranked Top Recycler Out of 10 Largest U.S. Cities
A Municipal Recycling Survey in the March 2, 2009 edition of Waste & Recycling News targeted the most populous cities in the United States to gather information about their recycling programs. Cities were ranked based on the recycling of various materials, including but not limited to: Paper, Metal, Plastic, Glass, Bulk and Organic. According to this survey, the City of Los Angeles had the highest recycling rate out of 10 largest U.S. cities.

RECYCLING RATES FOR 10 LARGEST U.S. CITIES*

 

City

Recycling Rate

Population

1

Los Angeles

65.0%**

3,834,340

2

San Jose

60.0%

939,899

3

New York

55.0%

8,274,527

4

San Diego

54.9%

1,266,731

5

Chicago

52.4%

2,836,658

6

Dallas

44.6%

1,240,499

7

Philadelphia

42.0%

1,449,634

8

Phoenix

23.0%

1,155,259

9

Houston

16.7%

2,208,180

10

San Antonio

4.0%

1,328,984

*Source Information: Waste & Recycling News, March 2, 2009 edition
**City of L.A. Rate Update: Los Angeles’ rate increased from 62% to 65% (table data updated June 11, 2009)


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CONTACTS

 

 CITY OF LOS ANGELES
 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
CITYWIDE SERVICES
DIAL 3-1-1
Service Request Hotline-
General Sanitation Information
1-800-773-CITY (2489)
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