County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works

Reducing Your Waste

There are a number of great reasons why reducing the amount of trash you throw away makes sense. Here are a few reasons for starters.

1. Our landfills are filling up
We're running out of nearby landfill space, plain and simple. In Los Angeles County alone, approximately every 10 days we generate enough waste to fill Dodger Stadium. Less landfill space in the County means farther distances to haul our trash and that means higher waste disposal costs for everyone.

2. Waste prevention and recycling conserves resources
Waste prevention is any action taken by an individual or organization to eliminate or reduce the amount of materials before they are thrown away. This action is intended to promote efficiency and reduce pollution. Waste prevention and recycling not only cut down on the quantity of waste disposed, but also conserve natural resources – things like trees, oil, and mineral substances. Recycling can also reduce the amount of energy required to manufacture many of the products we use when compared to using virgin materials.

3. It's good for business – any business
Your company can benefit from waste prevention and recycling because the less wasteful you are, the more efficient your business operates. And the less trash you throw away, the less you pay for trash disposal.

4. California lawmakers want everyone to do their part
In 1989, the California legislature passed a law (AB 939) that requires all cities and counties in California to reduce the amount of trash they send to landfills 50 percent by the end of the year 2000. We're close to reaching our goal (40 percent for unincorporated Los Angeles County as of 1999), but we still have a ways to go and need everyone's help.