The following types of environmental services are available to local businesses and residents in the Los Angeles area:

Environmental Information Services:
EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY
PERMIT ASSISTANCE
POLLUTION PREVENTION
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Waste Management Services:
WASTE EXCHANGE & DONATION
WASTE RECYCLING & DISPOSAL
SELECTED WASTE SERVICES

 

Environmental Equipment & Technology

California EPA Certification List
A list of state-certified technologies and services for environmental measurement, monitoring, and testing and waste treatment, control, and recycling is available from the California EPA.

National Database of Pollution Prevention (P2) Products and Services
Over 400 listings of pollution prevention equipment, products, or services in included in this national data base. Categories include: cleaning/degreasing chemicals, coatings and coating equipment, general equipment, maintenance equipment, parts washers, physical waste reduction equipment, recovery equipment, software/training/education materials, and waste exchanges.

Environmental Permit Assistance

California Environmental Protection Agency
The State operates two local business permit assistance service centers in the vicinity of Los Angeles.  They provide permit assistance information free of charge.  One is in the San Fernando Valley (San Fernando Valley/Central Coast Permit Assistance Center) and another is in Downtown Los Angeles (Business Revitalization Center).  Also, both the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board have representatives at these offices, one day a week.

Regional Environmental Business Resource & Assistance Center -  REBRAC
This center serves both the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.  The REBRAC office is located in Anaheim, California.  If your business qualifies, very affordable fees are charged for basic environmental services (Phase I evaluations, etc.). In addition, financial assistance opportunities are identified and environmental training offered.

Environmental Pollution Prevention (P2) / Waste Minimization

The key to industrial pollution prevention is to prevent pollution before it is created.  In using pollution prevention methods, significant cost savings can occur by designing processes and management practices to reduce raw material use, minimize the amount and toxicity of waste generated, lower energy costs, lower associated disposal costs, and decrease environmental compliance costs.  Businesses are able to comply with regulations and cut costs.

EPA Pollution Prevention Information
Index to P2 information within each EPA program as well as links to non-EPA P2 resources can be found here.

Western Regional Pollution Prevention Network
Information on P2 services, including yellow pages of service providers, research services, publications, internet resources, newsletter, P2 calendar and focus issue information can be found here.

Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Center
Information on research projects, proposal requests, P2 technology, Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) projects, publications, newsletter, and P2 calendar can be found here.

Environmentally Sustainable Business

The EnviroLink Network- Sustainable Business Practices
Web and other Internet resources and services are available to help make businesses more environmentally sustainable. Examples of environmental sustainable methods include: use of energy efficient practices, use of alternate energy sources, water conservation, designing to more easily adapt to future expansion/upgrades, implementing recycling programs, use of materials with one or more of the following characteristics: less toxic components, recycled content, made from renewable resources, made by conserving nonrenewable materials, or use of products that generate less  waste.  Also, sustainability includes conformance with best management practices for pollution prevention, including compliance with hazardous waste, stormwater and wastewater management laws.

Smart Communities Network - Creating Energy Smart Communities
Project of the U.S. DOE that provides businesses with examples and stories of successful practices as well as links to assistance programs offered by both government and non-governmental organizations.

Green Business Program
You can get some useful information for pollution prevention for businesses.

Waste Exchange & Donation

Los Angeles County Material Exchange
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works provides a free service to waste and surplus materials users and generators.  This service attempts to bring together a waste generator and a businesses that can use the waste or excess surplus materials.  A participating business may either place a "want ad" (i.e., describing the waste they want for use) or an "available ad" (i.e., describing the waste or surplus product that is available).

California Materials Exchange (CAL-MAX)
The California Integrated Waste Management Board provides a free State-wide service similar to the local County service described above.  Both the County and the State services include the following material categories:  construction, containers, durable goods, electronics, glass, metal, organics, paint/wax, pallets, papers, plastics, rubber, textiles, and wood materials.  The State Cal MAX service can be reached by calling (916) 255-2369.

Waste and Materials Donation Groups
Waste and surplus products may be donated to non-profit groups that re-use the materials.  Both of the waste exchange programs listed above identify local groups that accept certain types of surplus and waste materials.  Also, the City of Los Angeles has a donation organization directory that indicates the type of materials accepted for donation.  Look for the year 2000 edition of "Put it to Good Re-Use L.A." on the City's Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division (SRCRD) publication list or call (213) 473-8228 for further information.

Waste Recycling & Disposal

HAZARDOUS WASTE - Small Quantities

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Program
If a business generates less than  220 pounds or 27 gallons of hazardous waste per month (e.g., paints, solvent, aerosol cans, waste oil, photographic chemicals, asbestos, etc.), that business may be eligible for the CESQG program.  This is an affordable solution to hazardous waste disposal.  To find out if your business qualifies under the CESQG program, or to obtain an event schedule, or make a drop off appointment contact the City's Bureau of Sanitation at (800) 98-TOXIC.

Household Hazardous Waste Program 
If hazardous wastes were generated at home, this free disposal service is provided by the City and County.  There is a 15-gallon limit per vehicle trip.  

For waste oil generated at home, the above option and two others are also available, as follow:  Option 2) You may take residential waste oil to a "Certified Collection Center" (i.e., check with the certified center for acceptable quantity); or Option 3) You may take the waste oil to a Waste Oil Collection Event (20-gallon limit, when program is active).  No fees are necessary for these options.  For current program information call the City's Bureau of Sanitation at (800) 98-TOXIC.  

HAZARDOUS WASTE - Larger Quantities

Hazardous Waste Haulers
Per State and Federal regulation, hazardous waste must be hauled by a State-registered hazardous waste hauler, unless it is being transported to a locally permitted collection event, as described above,  The Statewide Compliance Division of the State Department of Toxic Substances Control maintains a full listing of registered transporters organized alphabetically and by City.  

Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs)
A list of permitted hazardous waste TSDF's is available from the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).  Many of these facilities offer both industrial waste recycling and pick-up services.   The list of TSDF's is available from the DTSC library by calling (916) 324-5898.

Disposal Sites  
To find a landfill disposal site in your area, search the Solid Waste Information System (SWIS) data base.  Search for active and permitted landfill disposal sites in Los Angeles County.  Information on the type of wastes accepted is also provided (e.g., waste tires, asbestos, construction and demolition debris, mixed municipal waste, etc.).

Selected Waste Services

AUTO SHOP WASTE - Recycling/Disposal

The HTM Office has published a directory of auto shop waste disposal and recycling services.  Also, included in the directory is background information describing the most cost-effective ways to manage each waste stream (e.g., brake fluid, water-based cleaners, transformer oil, engine oil, parts and engine cleaners, oil filters, paint, antifreeze, batteries, etc.).  A list of suppliers of water based parts cleaning equipment and products has also been prepared.  The HTM Office and others have conducted demonstration projects of various water-based cleaning equipment.  Associated reports are available for review.

BATTERY WASTE - Recycling

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation is a nonprofit public service organization that provides free information as to the closest location to drop off old rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries for recycling.  Beginning January 2001, the program will expand to include rechargeable nickel metal-hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and small sealed lead-acid batteries.  Also, contact the HTM Office for battery management information and to help locate other battery recycling facilities in your area.

COMMERCIAL & OFFICE WASTE - Recycling/Waste Minimization

Commercial and industrial businesses may contact the HTM Office for technical assistance in improving hazardous waste minimization and management methods.  The type of businesses most commonly evaluated include:  auto repair and specialty shops, metal finishers, film processing, jewelry manufacturing, printing, etc.  The City's Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division (SRCRD) also provides a consultation service to local businesses. The types of facilities most commonly evaluated include:  offices, hotels, food services, schools, manufacturers, etc.

COMPUTERS & OTHER ELECTRONIC WASTE - Recycling/Disposal

The City's Bureau of Sanitation coordinates electronic waste recycling events.  This includes computers, monitors, printers, network equipment, cables, telephones, televisions, video games, cell phones, radios, stereos, VCR's and electronic toys.  Further information can be obtained by calling (800) 988-6942 or a large quantity pick up appointment can be made by calling (310) 978-2790.  Also, working computers and other electronic equipment can be donated to nonprofit groups.  Please see the "Waste Exchange and Donation" section of this page.

CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION (C&D) WASTE - Recycling/Disposal

The California Integrated Waste Management Board maintains a C&D recycler database that can be used to find a local C&D recycler.  The HTM Office can help find disposal, treatment and/or recycling opportunities for C&D debris that is considered hazardous (e.g., lighting fixtures, transformers, thermostats, asbestos, drained oils, etc.)  In addition, the City's Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division (SRCRD) provides a C&D information service to local businesses.  The SRCRD provides information on how to properly recycle C&D debris such as asphalt, concrete, slump stone, rebar, wire mesh, concrete block, wood, gypsum board, glass, metal scrap, etc.  Associated guides have been published.

MEDICAL WASTE - Management/Transport

The California Department of Health Services (DHS) oversees the management and hauling of medical waste and they also maintain lists of State-registered medical waste haulers, transfer stations, and treatment facilities.  For further information on medical waste management, look for the revised HTM Office medical waste management fact sheet, coming soon.

MERCURY  WASTE - Management/Transport

The City's Industrial Wastewater Division, Bureau of Sanitation indicates that, in Los Angeles, the largest portion of the mercury waste stream is generated from dental offices.  In conformance with the City's recent resolution to reduce the generation of mercury waste, the HTM Office is working with the Wastewater Division to develop an outreach program to the dental community.  Also, the non-profit group, Physicians for Social Responsibility, is working with BOS and the HTM Office to apply for grant funding to conduct a mercury thermometer and equipment exchange pilot project for selected low-cost clinics in the Los Angeles area.  For further project information, as well as other mercury waste service information (e.g., lighting fixtures, thermostats, thermometers, etc.) contact the HTM Office.

PAINT & SOLVENT WASTE - Management/Recycling

Contact the HTM Office for information on cost-effective management and recycling of water-based paint and rinse water, oil-based paint, and solvents.

PLASTIC WASTE - Recycling

Local plastic recyclers can be identified by using the American Plastic Council database.  The database is organized by the type of plastic accepted and geographic area.

RESTAURANT WASTE - Recycling/Disposal

Contact the HTM Office for waste minimization and management information regarding restaurant oil and grease and the use of less toxic products.  The City's Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division helps with food waste and other recycling and waste minimization programs for the food service industry.

TIRE WASTE - Transport/Recycling/Disposal

Currently, when new tires are purchased, used commercial and residential tires are given to the tire shop for disposal.  The shop will charge an associated tire disposal fee.  Older tires, that were not handled in this way, should be hauled to a recycling plant or local landfill.  If more than five tires are hauled at a time, the tires must be hauled by a State-registered hauler.  For a list of registered tire haulers and tire recycling plants in your area, contact the California Integrated Waste Management Board at (916) 255-3896 or the City of Los Angeles HTM Office.

A resident of the City of Los Angeles may also take up to four old tires to City of L.A., Bureau of Sanitation yards on Saturday.  Proof of City residency will be requested.   For yard locations and hours contact the L.A. City Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation.