recycLA is a new public private partnership that will offer customer-friendly and efficient waste and recycling services to all commercial and industrial businesses, institutions, and large multifamily buildings. The City of Los Angeles service areas are divided into 11 Franchise Zones; Athens Services is managing the West Los Angeles, North Central, and Harbor zones.
Athens Services is managing recycling and waste services for businesses and large multifamily buildings in the West Los Angeles, North Central, and Harbor zones.
3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 948
Los Angeles, CA 90010
1964 Westwood Blvd., Suite 450
Los Angeles, CA 90025
350 W. 5th St., Suite 210
San Pedro, CA 90731
Athens Services is managing waste services for businesses and large multifamily buildings in the West Los Angeles, North Central, and Harbor zones.
SB 1383 (2016) SHORT-LIVED CLIMATE POLLUTANT REDUCTION
SB 1383 targets the reduction of methane emissions from landfills. The law establishes targets to achieve a 75% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organics waste from the 2014 level by 2025. It also requires that at least 20% of currently disposed edible food be recovered for human consumption statewide by 2025.
Beginning January 1, 2022, all businesses, schools, and multifamily complexes are required to subscribe to an organics collection service and must separate into their green organics container ALL of their green waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper (100% fiber based).
In addition, Edible Food Generators (considered Tier 1 and Tier 2) must recover the maximum amount of edible food that would otherwise be disposed of, arrange for food donation and collection through contracts or written agreements with food recovery organizations or services, and maintain food donation records. Navigate to the Food Donation & Material Reuse section to learn more.
For more information on SB 1383, please visit AthensServices.com/SB-1383.
AB 1826 (2014) MANDATORY COMMERCIAL ORGANICS RECYCLING
This bill requires businesses and multifamily buildings (of 5 or more units) that generate 2 cubic yards or more of solid waste per week to arrange for organics recycling services. As of January 1, 2022, all businesses are required to follow the SB 1383 regulations.
AB 341 (2011) MANDATORY COMMERCIAL RECYCLING
To further California’s recycling efforts, AB 341 established a statewide recycling goal of 75% by 2020. This law requires California commercial or public entities that generate four (4) or more cubic yards of solid waste per week, and multifamily dwellings of five (5) or more units, to arrange for recycling services.
Visit the Signage & Resource Materials page for downloadable signage, Recycling Cheat Sheet, and additional resources.
If empty of liquid and food, the following is acceptable in your blue recycling container.
Plastic:
Paper:
Cardboard: broken down cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, & clean pizza boxes
Glass: bottles & jars only (remove lids)
Metals: aluminum cans, foil, & trays, scrap metal, steel cans & tin cans
Green Waste: branches; flowers; grass clippings; hedge trimmings; leaves; weeds; & untreated/unpainted lumber, plywood, & scrap wood.
Food Scraps: fruits; vegetables; bread; rice; pasta; cheese; dairy; coffee grounds; coffee filters; meat; bones; poultry; seafood; soft shells (e.g. lobster, crab, & shrimp)
Food-Soiled Paper:
100% fiber-based compostable to-go containers & servingware, egg cartons (paper), paper napkins & kitchen towels, plates, packaging, & pizza boxes
All items must be 100% plant-fiber based with NO petroleum based plastic, wax, or bio-plastic coating, liner, or laminate. Must be soiled ONLY with food or drink liquids.
HORSE MANUREThe BROWN container is only for horse manure. No other animal waste, cleaning chemicals, food scraps, green waste, horse related items, medicine, recyclables, or landfill items are accepted. Less than 1% of the population has a brown container.
If you require one, please call (800) 773-2489.
Food Containers: chip bags, compostable “plant-based plastic,” juice pouches, paper coffee cups, snack bar wrappers, tea bags, & tea wrappers
Glass: ceramic, porcelain, & non-food related glass
Paper: bathroom & facial tissues, envelopes (padded & Tyvek), laminated or plastic coated paper, napkins, photographs, & receipts
Plastic: plastics #3, #4, #6, #7; all black plastics; bubble wrap; disposable gloves; foam; garden hoses; empty motor oil containers; plastic bags & film (e.g. dry cleaning bags & cellophane); plastic toys; tarps; & small plastics (e.g. utensils, straws, serving cups, etc.)
Misc.: unusable clothing & fabric; cacti & succulents; cigarette butts; diapers; hard shells (e.g. clams, mussels, & oysters); lint; palm fronds; pet waste; produce stickers; & yucca leaves
BLUE = RECYCLABLES The BLUE container is for the collection of commingled recyclables such as aluminum/tin foil and trays (clean); aseptic containers, juice boxes and milk cartons; cans (aluminum, bi-metal, and tin); cardboard; envelopes; glass bottles and jars; junk mail; magazines; all metal; newspaper; office paper; paperback books; paper grocery bags; all clean plastic bags and film plastic (grocery, dry cleaning, packaging, etc.); plastic containers (1-7); shredded paper (bagged); and wrapping paper (with no metal).
NO FOOD WASTE, GARBAGE, LIQUIDS, PACKAGING PEANUTS, OR YARD TRIMMINGS.
BLACK = LANDFILL The BLACK container is for non-recyclable trash headed for the landfill such as bathroom waste, candy bar wrappers, ceramics/porcelain, chip bags, cigarette butts, diapers, disposable gloves, food scraps (if green container is not available), packaging peanuts, palm fronds, paper or boxes soiled with grease or food residue, pet waste, succulents and cacti, yucca leaves and other solid waste materials considered to be no longer of use.
Green = Organics The GREEN container is for the collection of organics waste, such as green waste including yard trimmings and plant matter; food scraps including all fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy; and food-soiled paper products that are 100% fiber based.
NO BUILDING MATERIALS; CACTI, SUCCULENTS, or YUCCA; CONCRETE; DIRT; PALM FRONDS; PET WASTE; SAND; STONES; TRASH; OR TREE TRIMMINGS (LARGER THAN 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER OR 4 FEET IN LENGTH).
Brown = Horse Manure The BROWN container is for horse manure. No other animal waste, cleaning chemicals, food scraps, green waste, horse related items, medicine, recyclables, or landfill items. Less than 1% of the population has a brown bin.
If you require one,
please call:
1-800-773-2489.
Overweight or overfilled containers can result in non-collection or fees (if serviced). If your container(s) has not be collected, please correct the issue below and then contact the City of Los Angeles’ Customer Care Center at (800) 773-2489 (or 311) or visit www.recycLA.com to schedule a pickup. Extra service fees will apply.
Overweight: Containers that cannot be safely moved and/or emptied by personnel and/or equipment are considered overweight. To avoid issues do not place material such as concrete, roof shingles, sand, or other construction and demolition material into your container. To schedule temporary service for construction and demolition projects, click here. If the container is not collected, customers are required to remove inappropriate materials and reschedule their collection.
Overfilled: When container lids do not completely close due to excess material and/or when material is placed outside the container, this is considered overfilled. Place all refuse inside of the container(s) with the lids fully closed. Any refuse placed alongside, on top of, or above the sides of container is considered “overfilled” and will not be collected. To make more room in your container, flatten all boxes prior to disposal. To address overfill issues, consider ordering a one-time pickup when necessary or increase your overall level of service.
State law prohibits the disposal of hazardous material into your containers. For proper disposal options, click here. We also ask that you do not place bulky items, construction debris, electronic waste, or automotive parts in your containers. For bulky items disposal options, click here.
The following is a list of items you should not place in your container:
Athens Services has collaborated with the following nonprofit organizations to help businesses donate their edible food and reusable materials that would otherwise go to waste.
If you need further assistance with food donation and/or material donations, please contact Athens Services at 1-800-327-3807.
For additional information on donating edible food, please visit AthensServices.com/FoodDonation.
Organic material contributes up to 35% of waste in LA’s landfills, which through anaerobic decomposition produces the second largest anthropogenic source of methane in California. Los Angeles is also home to almost 1.5 million food-insecure people, the largest estimated food-insecure population in the United States. Creating a robust, full spectrum organics programs to decrease food waste before it even reaches the dumpster will not only help the City meet its waste diversion goals, it supports the social, economic, and environmental well-being of Angelenos.
5600 Rickenbacker Rd. Suite 2E
Bell, CA 90201
(562) 565-9815
FoodForward.org
Accepts wholesale produce, bulk quantities of fruits and vegetables. Donors should contact them and discuss donations on a case-by-case basis. For immediate requests, contact Leo Paz, Wholesale Recovery Manager at (323) 422-0132.
1835 Hope St.,
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 747-5347
www.sfcla.org
Accepts produce and nonperishable, perishable, and prepackaged prepared foods. Food must not be expired and must meet serv-safe approved standards of care and handling.
6636 Selma Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 897-9696
hello@foodcyclela.org
FoodCyclaLA.org
Accepts all types of food and has no limitations on the amount that can be donated. They work with over 134 different agencies in Los Angeles and are able to match all donations with organizations that need food.
5939 Hollywood Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 462-2032
theexchange@hofoco.org
HoFoCo.org
Accepts all properly handled, unexpired food, including prepared foods from businesses and organizations. They accept unopened and unexpired food from individual donors.
Give unwanted items new life through donation. Not only will you reduce waste to landfill and save resources, you may be helping someone in need. Check your local listing for thrift stores that take used appliances, books, clothing, furniture, working electronics, tools, toys, and more. Schools and day care centers may want gently used toys, books, magazines, computers, office and party supplies, and misc. items for crafts.
For additional information on donating reusable materials, please visit AthensServices.com/MaterialReuse.
(213) 485-1097
Donate@LAShares.org
LAShares.org
L.A. SHARES is a nonprofit materials reuse program. Through their interactive website, they are able to take donations of reusable goods and materials (both new and used) from Los Angeles businesses and then redistribute the items FREE-OF-CHARGE to nonprofits and schools in the City of Los Angeles. To donate or receive material, please register on their website and review what can and cannot be accepted.
Engaging videos for landlords, business owners, tenants, and employees.
Helpful tips on services, recycling resources, upcoming events, and more.
Access signage and additional resources to encourage successful recycling programs at your business and apartment.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities.
En relación con el Articulo II de Acto de Americanos con Incapacidades, la Ciudad de Los Angeles no discrimina en base de incapicidad fisica, y si usted lo pide, la Ciudad proveerá en un nivel razonable igual acceso a sus programas, servicios y actividades.
미국 장애인을 위한 안내문: Americans with Disabilities Act (미국 장애인법) 제II편의 적용을 받는 기관인, 로스엔젤레스 시는 장애에 근거하여 차별을 하지 않으며, 요청할 경우, 시의 프로그램, 서비스 및 활동에 대한 동등한 접근을 보장하기 위한 합당한 편의를 제공합니다.
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Acquisitions & Mergers
Recycling Guide
