Recycling Services

Food Waste Diversion

What We Can Do For You!

Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division (SRCRD) develops and implements effective and cost-effective source reduction, recycling, and re-use programs and policies. SRCRD provides technical assistance to City Departments, private sector businesses, multi-family complexes, and the community. The office fosters public/private recycling partnerships and helps to promote new markets for recyclable materials.

These are the types of businesses we can assist:
Restaurants, Hotels, Food Processors, Caterers...

Food Re-use/Donations
Many Restaurants and other food service establishments are not aware that others can benefit from their left over food. Food can be donated to many different non-profit organizations. Thanks to the State's Good Samaritan Law, donors are released from any liability when donating food to a non-profit organization. See the "Food for Thought" guide for a partial listing of organizations near you.

SRCRD will send you information about food recycling. Ask for "Food for Thought," the free food donation and recycling guide, or "Eliminating Fats Oils and Grease From Our Sewers" for tips on food handling.

Food Waste Recycling
The Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division has developed a program to recruit restaurants for its food waste recycling program aimed at diverting solid waste from landfills and reducing the amount of fats, oils and grease going into the sewer system. Waste studies have shown that over 70% of the waste from restaurants is organic and can be recycled. Restaurants participating in the program are given special containers to separate food waste from other trash. The food waste is then collected by a contracted waste hauler and taken to a processing facility where it is recycled into nutrient rich compost. Compost is a material produced by the biological decomposition of organic matter and has been used successfully by the agricultural communities to improve crop production.
See the list of restaurants participating in the program.
See the "Restaurant Food Waste Recycling" guide for additional information.


This program won the City's Productivity Improvement Award for Environmental Leadership in 2006.

Who do You Call?

Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation
Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division (SRCRD)
(213) 485-2260
SRCRD@san.lacity.org

What we Need From You!

For information about food recycling, please provide:

• Your Name
• Company Name
• Complete Address
• Telephone and Fax Numbers
• The type of information you need.

The Process

• Call, E-mail, or visit our Website.

How Long Will it Take?

Staff are available during business hours, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Who Can You Talk To?

To Contact the...
Department of Public Works,
Bureau of Sanitation,
Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division (SRCRD)

Address for Mail Inquiries:

Bureau of Sanitation
Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division (SRCRD)
1149 S. Broadway St., 10th Floor, Los Angeles 90015-2213

Phone Numbers and Titles of Contact Persons for Further Information:

Organics Section
(213) 485-2260, telephone
(213) 485-3671, fax
E-mail: SRCRD@san.lacity.org