The Department of Public Works’ Environmental Programs Division (EPD) has been developing and implementing recycling programs for County constituents for several years. EPD manages many environmental programs on behalf of the entire County. Their programs are described at http://www.888cleanla.com.

Plastic Bag and Expanded Polystyrene: the County’s Approach to Reducing Consumption, Disposal and Litter

Every year, approximately 6 billion plastic bags are consumed in Los Angeles County and less than 5% of these bags are recycled. In addition, plastic bags make up about 25% of the litter stream and local governments must spend millions of dollars each year on prevention, cleanup, and enforcement activities to reduce litter. Communities throughout Los Angeles County and around the world are grappling with these issues and searching for ways to reduce the impact of plastic carryout bags on the environment and their quality of life.

On January 22, 2008 the Board of Supervisors took a major step forward in this effort, adopting the landmark Los Angeles County Single Use Bag Reduction and Recycling Program, a comprehensive strategy to reduce the consumption and disposal of plastic carryout bags that brings together the interests of supermarkets and retail stores, environmental groups, the plastic bag industry, local government, and the public. This program will take effect on July 1, 2008 in the County unincorporated areas and partner cities. To keep up to date on the Los Angeles County Single Use Bag Reduction and Recycling Program, click here.

The County is also developing a report which investigates the feasibility of banning the purchase of expanded polystyrene (EPS) food packaging at all County operations beginning August 1, 2008. Recommendations include maximizing the use of durable and reusable goods and implementing the use of non-EPS products such as compostable and recyclable alternatives.

To see a status report on these activities, click here.

Departmental Recycling Programs

The Department of Public Works’ Environmental Programs Division (EPD) has been developing and implementing recycling programs within County facilities for several years. DPW has purchased 8,000 desk-side paper recycling bins for distribution to County employees in buildings that are enrolled in the existing paper recycling program. The desk-side bins emphasize individual recycling and segregation of white paper from other recyclable paper. These bins have been distributed at the Hall of Administration, ISD Headquarters and DPW Headquarters. DPW also purchased beverage container recycling bins and have distributed to County departments.

PW also has provided beverage container recycling bins to County departments. Recycling bins are provided by PW to any requesting County building proprietor. Building proprietors are responsible for the accessibility and cleanliness of their bins. Building proprietors are also responsible for arranging for their own pick up of the recyclables.

Department	Beverage Container Recycling Bins
Beaches and Harbors	50
Board of Supervisors (HOA)	38
Community Development Commision	8
Community and Senior Services	1
Mental Health	19
Public Health	9
Public Social Services	34
Public Works	60
Regional Planning	7
Fire	15
Internal Services	36
Museum of Arts	5
Sheriff	27
Natural History Museum	18
Parks and Recreation	48
Probation	1
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk	35
Small Business Office	3
Superior Court	86

Under County Policy, all County departments should be purchasing paper with a minimum of 30% recycled content. The amounts of recycled content and non-recycled content paper purchases for each department are tracked by the County’s vendor and supplied to DPW each quarter. There are various challenges County departments face when choosing their paper. The report entitled, “Recycled Paper: The Best Choice,” provides information on: reasons to purchase recycled content paper, how recycled content paper prices compare to non-recycled content paper, what actually constitutes recycled content paper, and arguments against the common excuses for not using recycled content paper.

Reports on the progress of installing recycling bins and recycled content paper purchases can be accessed through the Energy & Environmental Dashboard .