(Spanish Version)

The Sanitation Districts’ green waste program continues to successfully divert significant quantities of green waste for use as mulch and other beneficial uses. State legislation determines how Cities will be able to report greenwaste diversion and recycling toward their mandatory diversion goals. Approximately 80 cities and the County of Los Angeles have implemented separate residential greenwaste collection programs. As of January 1, 2020, the alternative daily cover program was altered due to changes in State Law (AB1594, Bustamante, Statutes 2014) that eliminated the diversion credit for processed green waste materials.

Only clean greenwaste loads that are free of contamination will be accepted, such as brush, tree trimmings, grass and certain other yard wastes.  Contamination includes any materials which the greenwaste diversion contractor cannot accept for diversion.  This includes palm logs/trunks, or loads in which the majority of greenwaste are palm fronds, in addition to other contaminants such as MSW, concrete, dirt, and plastics.

The below images show unacceptable greenwaste loads rejected at landfills:

Procedures for Participating in the Green Waste Program

• Trucks entering the site containing “clean” greenwaste will be charged the hard-to-handle tipping fee.
• Trucks will be directed to the greenwaste unloading area where loads will be inspected by the greenwaste diversion contractor.
• If the inspector for the greenwaste diversion contractor accepts the load as “Pure Greenwaste” (no contamination), the inspector will stamp the receipt with a “PURE GREENWASTE” and the “Segregated Uncontaminated Greenwaste” tipping fee would apply.
• If the inspector determines that the load contains 1 to 3% contamination, the inspector will stamp the receipt with a “GREENWASTE” stamp and the “Contaminated Greenwaste” tipping fee would apply.
• Rejected loads will be processed as MSW at the hard-to-handle tipping fee.
• Please note: all drivers must return to the scales after each dump!

If you have any questions regarding the green waste program, please contact Nick Morell via email or at (562) 908-4288, extension 2444.