“DISCOVER RECYCLING” 2015 BUREAU OF SANITATION OPEN HOUSE DATES ANNOUNCED
Save the Dates to Learn More about Reducing, Reusing and Recycling
LOS ANGELES (March 6, 2015)—The Board of Public Works announced the annual “Discover Recycling” 2015 Bureau of Sanitation Open Houses today. Each of L.A. Sanitation’s six wasteshed district yards will open to the public in a series of free Saturday events. The Open House program showcases Sanitation’s residential curbside collection programs with the promotion of proper recycling practices and information about bulky item collections. Each event will feature trash truck and equipment demonstrations in addition to facility tours, information booths, recycling games, and refreshments. Last year, nearly 7,000 residents attended the Open Houses with 290 city employees who volunteered their time to “give back” to the neighborhoods they serve.
The L.A. Sanitation Open House dates, times and locations are:
Saturday, May 2, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
East Valley District Yard, 11050 Pendleton St., Sun Valley, CA 91352
Saturday, May 16, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
West Valley District Yard, 8840 Vanalden Ave., Northridge, CA 91324
Saturday, May 30, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
North Central District Yard, 452 N. San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90031
Saturday, June 6, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
South Los Angeles District Yard at The Expo Center, 3990 Menlo Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90037
(Northeast corner of Martin Luther King Blvd. & Vermont Ave.)
Saturday, June 13, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Harbor District Yard, 1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731
Saturday, June 27, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
West Los Angeles District Yard, 2027 Stoner Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025
L.A. Sanitation’s Lopez Canyon Environmental Center will host an activity booth about the city’s green bin recycling program and give away small vegetable plants. Visitors will plant saplings to take home, use mulch and compost made from residential yard trimmings, and learn about “closed loop” recycling. More than 2,200 vegetable plants were potted and given away to residents last year. Sanitation will also partner with “City Plants” to provide 50 fruit and 50 shade trees for adoption by city residents, on a first-come-served basis at each yard, while supplies last. (L.A. city residents must present valid identification with their city address or a current DWP bill to adopt a tree. Note: the limit is one tree per property address.) “Used Tires” from city residents will also be collected, which is provided by a grant from CalRecycle. (L.A. city residents must present valid identification and a current DWP bill to drop off used tires. Note: a maximum of nine passenger and/or light truck tires will be accepted, but tires on rims and used tires from businesses will not be accepted.)
In 2003, the Bureau of Sanitation launched its first Open House at the West Los Angeles district yard. The goal of the program was to reconnect the refuse collection truck operators, on a voluntary basis, with city residents after the implementation of the automated collection program. In 2000, the automated program removed the need for Sanitation collection operators to exit their trucks and manually lift and empty residential trash cans. In the following years, the program grew to promote recycling and proper disposal practices as well as to improve access to L.A. Sanitation services. The program expanded in 2005 to add the East Valley, West Valley, North Central, and South Los Angeles district yards. In 2006, the Harbor district yard was added to provide citywide coverage.
Residents attending the Open Houses have grown with approximately 200 visitors in 2003 to nearly 7,000 in 2014. The popularity of the events can be traced to City and Sanitation leaders as well as city employees who volunteered their time to transform the six yards into fun learning centers. By combining solid waste, wastewater to clean water and recycling education with refreshments, music and games, L.A Sanitation provides the opportunities and partnerships that support a more livable and sustainable city.
For the 2015 Open House flyers, visit www.lacitysan.org/solid_resources/open_house.htm.
About Bureau of Sanitation
As the lead agency for the City’s environmental programs and initiatives, L.A. Sanitation protects public health and the environment through the administration and management of three major program areas: Clean Water, Solid Resources and Watershed Protection. These infrastructure programs collect, treat, test, recycle, and dispose the solid and liquid waste generated by more than four million residents in the nation’s second largest city. Through these essential public service programs, Sanitation delivers a triple bottom line of economic, environmental and social benefits that sustain and protect the quality of life in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.lacitySAN.org.
About City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works
Since 1906, the Department of Public Works has led the way to advance and sustain the foundation of infrastructure facilities, resources and services that enable the City of Los Angeles to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits that serve more than four million residents in a 468 square mile geographic area. Public Works continually focuses on solutions for the infrastructure issues and challenges that invisibly but critically manifest themselves as uninterrupted everyday conveniences. The Board is committed to deliver projects and programs that enhance quality of life, economic prosperity, public health, and the environment. For more information, visit http://bpw.lacity.org.