How to properly donate and dispose of your items in LA

Life in Los Angeles, with its constant hustle and evolving lifestyle trends, often calls for a re-evaluation of possessions. Whether it’s an outdated piece of furniture or electronics moving towards obsolescence, or a decision to embrace the Marie Kondo minimalist lifestyle, there are eco-friendly and socially responsible ways to part ways with your items.

Here’s how you can declutter your space in LA, while also adhering to local disposal regulations and contributing to community welfare.

1. Regular Recycling and Trash Removal
2. Collection Services
3. Four-Bin Collection System
4. Recyclable Materials
5. Large & Abandoned Trash Pick Up
6. Household Hazardous Waste & Electronic Waste Disposal
7. Donating to Thrift Stores or Charity

Regular Recycling and Trash Removal

In LA, the procedures for trash and recycling pickup are structured and organized to maintain cleanliness and promote recycling. The LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) shoulders the responsibility of managing trash removal collection services across 750,000 households, making it an essential player in keeping the city clean and sustainable.

Here are the guidelines and regulations for regular recycling and trash removal in LA:

Collection Services

• Scheduling Pickups: For bulk pickups or in case you miss the designated pickup days, you can schedule a curbside pickup by calling 1-800-773-2489 or using the MyLA311 app. This service helps in scheduling pickups for items not accepted during regular bulk pickups, ensuring a cleaner environment​.
• Trash Collection Days Map: The City of Los Angeles provides a Trash Collection Days Map via the ArcGIS platform. This map outlines the scheduled collection days across different regions in the city to help residents remember when to have their trash ready for pickup​​.
• Special Pickups: In addition to regular pickups, special pickups can be arranged for dead animal pick up, bulky item pick up, and recycling. Requests for new, additional, or replacement refuse, recycling, or yard waste containers can be made one business day prior to the regular collection day. For picking up excessive amounts of trash, tags need to be purchased and placed on the trash bags​​.
• Bulky Item Pick-Up: Bulky items are also given attention in LA. Free pick-up can be arranged at least 24 hours prior to your regularly scheduled trash day by calling 1-800-773-2489 or booking online. This service includes picking up larger items that can’t be disposed of in the regular manner​.
• Trash and Recycling Services: Various local waste and garbage collection services are available near Los Angeles, ensuring a systematic approach to waste disposal and recycling. Residents can easily locate their pickup schedule and information regarding local waste and garbage collection services to promote a cleaner and more organized city​.

Four-Bin Collection System

Navigating through the streets of LA, you’ll find a well-organized four-bin collection system in place. This system categorizes waste into blue bins for recyclables, green bins for yard trimmings and food waste, black bins for residual waste, and brown bins for horse manure, facilitating a streamlined disposal process:

• Blue bins for recyclables

• Green bins for yard trimmings and food waste
• Black bins for residual waste
• Brown bins for horse manure

Recyclable Materials

Before you toss that bottle into the blue bin, ensure it’s emptied of any remaining liquid. The city accepts a wide range of recyclables including glass bottles, plastics, aluminum cans, and much more, making it easier for you to contribute to a greener LA.

Paper

All clean dry paper, including:

• Computer paper
• Ledger paper
• Arts and craft paper
• Unwanted mail
• Flyers
• Telephone books
• Note cards
• Newspaper
• Magazines
• File folders
• Paper bags
• Post-it notes
• Catalogs
• All envelopes, including window envelopes

Cardboard

All cardboard boxes and chipboard, including:

• Cereal boxes
• Tissue boxes
• Dry food boxes
• Frozen food boxes
• Shoe boxes
• Detergent boxes
• Paper towel and toilet paper rolls
• Cardboard boxes (broken down and flattened)

Cartons

All refrigerated, shelf-stable, aseptic packaging, including:

• Fruit juice boxes and cartons
• Orange juice cartons
• Milk cartons
• Wine boxes
• Soy milk, rice milk and almond milk boxes and cartons
• Cereal boxes
• Heavy cream cartons
• Egg substitute cartons

Metals

All aluminum, tin, metal, and bi-metal cans, wiped out if possible, including:

• Soda cans
• Juice cans
• Soup cans
• Vegetables cans
• Pet food cans
• Pie tins
• Clean aluminum foil
• Empty paint and aerosol cans
• Wire hangers

Glass

All glass bottles and jars, wiped out if possible, including:

• Soda bottles
• Wine bottles
• Beer bottles
• Spaghetti sauce jars
• Pickle jars
• Broken bottles

Plastics

All clean and empty plastic numbers 1, 2, and 5 including:

• Soda bottles with caps
• Juice bottles with caps
• Cooking oil bottles with caps
• Detergent containers with caps
• Bleach containers with caps
• Shampoo bottles with caps
• Lotion bottles
• Mouthwash bottles with caps
• Dishwashing liquid bottles
• Milk jugs
• Tubs for margarine and yogurt
• Plastic planters
• Food and blister packaging
• Rigid clamshell packaging

Large & Abandoned Trash Pick Up

Got an old couch or fridge you no longer need? Fret not. LASAN offers free pickup services for items too large for your regular trash bin. And if you stumble upon abandoned items on the street, report it, and LASAN will take care of the rest, ensuring the streets remain clean and clutter-free.

• LASAN offers pickup services for items too large for a normal trash bin free of charge, such as beds, couches, and fridges.
• Residents can report abandoned items on the street for free pickup as well.
• However, automotive parts, construction material, commercial waste, or cardboard are not collected by LASAN​​.

Household Hazardous Waste & Electronic Waste Disposal

From old paint cans to outdated computers, LA provides designated areas for you to drop off household hazardous waste and electronic waste at S.A.F.E. (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics) Collection Centers, ensuring these items are disposed of responsibly.

• Residents can safely drop off household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronic waste (E-Waste) at S.A.F.E. (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics) Collection Centers.
• HHW includes items like paint, motor oil, propane tanks, and needles.
• E-waste includes items like computers, TVs, and microwaves​​.

Donating to thrift stores or charity

There are also a variety of donation centers that would welcome your household items or furniture in reusable condition. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles allows you to schedule a pick-up by calling (424) 246-3637 or dropping off your donations at their Restore locations​. Similarly, the Salvation Army offers a free pick-up service for a variety of items, though it’s advisable to check pick-up availability for your zip code beforehand​​. GreenDrop offers pick-up and drop-off services to LA for items like small furniture and clothing​​. St. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles provides a free truck pick-up service for items like clothing and furniture, which you can arrange by calling (800) 974-3571​. PickUpMyDonation.com also connects you to local donation pick-up providers in the area​, and DonationTown lists charities like AMVETS and Vietnam Veterans of America for online pick-up scheduling​​. For larger items, AMVETS schedules future pick-ups at 1-877-990-8387​.

These organizations provide various convenient avenues for you to donate items in Los Angeles, be it through online scheduling or direct phone calls for pick-up arrangements.

Now you know how you can contribute to the concerted efforts of LA and its residents, which have led to a remarkable landfill diversion rate of 76.4%. By adhering to these disposal guidelines, you’re not only keeping your home and city clean but also significantly contributing to reducing landfill waste.

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