Jan. 16 '23 UPDATE: Curbside composting has arrived in Los Angeles! Now all food scraps and food-soiled paper can be placed in your Green 'Organics' Bin, along with yard waste.
Recycle by City
Los Angeles
Blue Bin Recycling Basics:
Empty all containers, no food or liquids allowed.
Flatten cardboard boxes to save space.
Recycle the items below only, keep random stuff out.
BLUE BIN RECYCLING
BLUE BIN RECYCLING
These items are transported to a recycling facility where they are sorted by material, then sold to manufacturers to make new products.
glass jars
(ex: pickle jars, jelly, jams, etc.)
Broken jars are okay to recycle too.
glass bottles
(ex: wine, beer, soda)
Broken bottles are okay to recycle too.
broken bottles and jars
mail & office paper
(ex: fliers, letters, printer paper, postcards, envelopes, etc)
newspaper
phone books, paperback books
Love your paper shredder too much?
Shredding paper is cool for security, but it makes paper less valuable for recycling.
Only shred the necessary stuff.
shredded paper
Only when in a paper bag marked 'shredded paper' or a transparent plastic bag.
Loose shredded paper is forbidden.
gift wrap
No metallic or glittery paper.
magazines
greeting cards and envelopes
No metallic or glittery cards.
sticky notes
(aka: Post It® notes)
Attach them to a larger piece of paper to help them make it through the recycling process.
cartons
ex: milk, juice, broth, soy,
wine, juice boxes, etc.
cardboard
shoe boxes, gift boxes
snack boxes
ex: cereal, pasta, frozen food, snack boxes, etc.
Remove any interior bags/liners and trash those.
cardboard tubes & rolls
ex: toilet paper, paper towel, gift wrap, etc.
cardboard egg cartons
plastic bottles
ex: water, soda pop, shampoo, liquid soap, detergent, etc.
(#1, #2, #5)
plastic jugs
ex: milk, juice, detergent, fabric softener, kitty litter
clamshell containers
ex: berries, snacks, sandwiches, salads
plastic tubs
ex: yogurt, margarine, cottage cheese, etc.
laundry baskets
aluminum cans
ex: beer, soda pop, sparkling water, etc.
steel cans
ex: coffee, soup, vegetables, pet food, etc.
aluminum foil
Collect clean aluminum foil in a ball and recycle it once it's bigger than a tennis ball.
aluminum trays
empty aerosol cans
Must be completely empty so they don't
explode during recycling.
no plastic bags
Plastic bags can recycled at local retailers. Look for the recycling kiosk at the store front.
Updated 2023
no styrofoam
Styrofoam is no longer accepted for recycling and is banned across Los Angeles.
Updated 2023
GREEN BIN
GREEN BIN
Food scraps and food-soiled paper are now accepted along with yard waste in the green bin! The contents of the green bin will be turned into compost. Compost is used by farmers to grow food, which is why it's so important to keep plastic, glass, and metal out.
all food scraps
ex: vegetable, meat, dairy, shells, etc.
Remove all stickers, bands, and ties.
leftovers
cooked and raw
ex: meat, vegetables, nuts, bones, spoiled or stale food, etc.
Cheese and dairy products
Meat and bones
egg shells
napkins and paper towels
coffee filters & grounds
pizza boxes
Compost the greasy parts and recycle the rest.
grass and yard trimmings
leaves
branches
Under 4' long, 4" wide.
bouquets and houseplants
Greasy paper
Parchment paper, fast food bags, etc.
Grease-free paper should be recycled.
popsicle sticks
No stumps/limbs over 4′ long, 4″ wide; no soil
chopsticks
Untreated, unpainted, wood under 4’ long and 4” wide
no plastics
No plastics are accepted including biodegradable and compostable plastics
NO CURBSIDE DISPOSAL
NO CURBSIDE DISPOSAL
These items contain hazardous substances and cannot be disposed of curbside. Safe disposal is provided for each.
household chemicals
Cleaners, solvents, oils, chemicals, pesticides, etc.
drop-off:
Use caution when disposing of broken fluorescent
light bulbs...
BLACK BIN TRASH
BLACK BIN TRASH
This stuff goes straight to the landfills. Please reduce or re-use these items whenever possible.
VHS & cassette tapes
Coffee pods
disposable coffee cups
fast food cups, lids, straws
drink glasses, crystal, Pyrex®, ceramics, windows
incandescent light bulbs
(fluorescent light bulbs cannot be disposed of curbside, please see orange section below).
potato chip bags, candy bar wrappers, coffee bags, etc. with plastic on the outside and foil on the inside.
drink pouches
pet food bags
animal droppings
all biodegradeable and compostable plastics, including utensils
all disposable diapers
paper cups, lids, and cardboard sleeves
polystyrene & styrofoam®
plastic cups
colored and clear
plastic toys
Please donate if they're in usable condition
OTHER CURBSIDE SERVICES
OTHER CURBSIDE SERVICES
The City of Los Angeles provides these additional curbside services.
Bulky Items
Free Pick-up: Call or book online least 24 hours prior to your regularly scheduled trash day.
call:1.800.773.2489
online: Bulky Item Form
Compost your tree!
Remove the stand and ornaments and place your tree next to your bin for pickup.
Fun. Fast. Informative. Take the quiz...
play.Feedback:
© 2023 Civil Agents. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use Privacy Policy