Recycling Services

Commercial and Office Recycling Information

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:
Offices, Hotels, Foodservice, Manufacturing, Schools...
We also target the following types of materials:
Paper, Corrugated Cardboard, Food Waste, Yard Trimmings, C&D...

SRCRD will send you information about setting up a recycling program at your business, organization, or school. Ask for the "Mind Your Business: A Recycling Guide for Offices." The free guide provides recycling tips and a list of recycling companies.

Visit our publications page on this link for other business recycling information including Construction and Demolition waste recycling, Restaurant Food Waste, Hazardous Waste (CESQG program for small quantity generators), and technical assistance through Business Waste Assessments.

For resources and lists of recyclers to set up your own recycling program for your office or business, please see Small or Medium Sized Businesses or Large Businesses.

Small and Medium-sized Businesses

What We Can Do For You!

Sometimes small to medium-sized businesses want to recycle, but feel that having additional bins for recycling maybe too costly due to what collection firms consider small amounts of recycling generated per week. The fact is, most businesses in the City are small to medium-sized, so this represents a very large volume when taken as a whole. Everyone’s participation is necessary to help reduce our carbon footprint and achieve the goal of zero waste.

So what are your options?

If your business is small, work with neighboring businesses or commercial tenants in your building to start a recycling program together. Larger volumes of material make recycling programs more cost-efficient and successful. Ask the building management to provide recycling – usually this can save them money on disposal costs because it costs less to recycle than to dispose.

Where can I find recycling service providers? (click to go to that page)

Large Businesses - We want to change the way you look at waste!

Most business waste is made up of materials that are actually recoverable commodities: glass, metals, wood, cardboard, paper, newspapers, plastic film and plastic bottles or containers, steel and aluminum cans. Although the City of Los Angeles does not provide subsidized business recycling collection, all of these can be collected and recycled by private companies.

Businesses often want to recycle, but feel that having additional bins for recycling may be too costly. The fact is – particularly for large businesses where volume tends to be greater – recycling can potentially lead to cost savings on waste disposal or even generate revenue.

All recyclable materials can be put into one bin and if not contaminated by other waste (such as food, wet waste, etc), they can be converted into a reusable commodity. Sometimes large businesses can benefit from separating single materials if they have a high commodity value.

Recycling can often save money on disposal costs because it costs less to recycle than to dispose. After your recycling program has been in place for a while and everyone at your work site is participating, It may be possible to save money by reducing the size of your waste dumpster or the frequency of pickup, since you are displacing a certain amount of material from the waste to the recycling.

Where can I find recycling service providers? (click to go to that page)

What types of commercial recycling programs are there to choose from? (click to go to that page)

Who do You Call?

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

What we Need From You!

For information about business 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.

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., Los Angeles 90015-2213

Phone Numbers and Titles of Contact Persons for Further Information:

Buy Recycled Coordinator
(213) 485-2260, telephone
(213) 485-3671, fax
E-mail: SRCRD@lacity.org