Welcome and thank you for visiting the City of Los Angeles’ Alternative Technologies website.

The Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation (BOS) is responsible for collecting and processing approximately 3600 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated by Angelenos daily. BOS continues its excellent tradition of solid waste management with programs such as curbside recycling, green waste recycling, household hazardous waste drop-off centers, curbside bulky item collection, construction and demolition (C&D) recycling, and others. These programs help divert 62 percent of solid waste from the landfills, which place the City of Los Angeles in the top ten cities with the highest diversion rates in the United States. Moreover, Mayor Villaraigosa has set a goal of achieving 70 percent recycling by 2015. As the City’s population increases, and as urban landfill space diminishes, we need to further lessen our landfill dependency, and consider other feasible, environmentally friendly, sustainable options, by which resources can be recovered from our waste.

In response to the Mayor’s and Council’s directives to increase landfill diversion of MSW, BOS is actively pursuing state-of-the-art Alternative Technologies with a goal to have a green facility operational by the end of 2010. This innovative approach will provide a unique opportunity to convert non-recyclable daily trash into a renewable resource that is beneficial to our residents and businesses. We believe this project will be a win-win for all of us as it will help to improve the environment and quality of life for all of us, in addition to creating a sustainable, alternative for our non-recyclable MSW.

To achieve this, we simply cannot do it alone. We recognize that your valuable input will move us one step closer to meeting our goal. Accordingly, BOS cordially invites and encourages you to actively participate in the stakeholder process. This website contains public documents and project information related to the BOS’ green Alternative Technologies.

It is my sincere hope that you will find the concept of implementing green Alternative Technologies in the City of Los Angeles as exciting as I do. Please join us in this innovative, progressive, and environmentally sustainable project. Your interest and input is important to us.

Most Sincerely,
Enrique C. Zaldivar, Director