Paint Collected in Toxic Roundups to Cover Graffiti
Leftover paint collected in Los Angeles roundups of hazardous household wastes will used by juvenile offenders to cover graffiti under a program that began Thursday.
More than 9,600 gallons of paint have been turned in since January when the city began its recycling campaign. Some of the leftover paint--mixed to yield beige, light green and brown tints--was used Thursday in North Hollywood by city officials and juvenile offenders to cover a graffiti-scarred wall and guardrail near a residential neighborhood.
“What’s really exciting is that we not only keep the paint out of our solid-waste landfills, we actually reuse it,” said Councilman Joel Wachs, who helped paint over the graffiti.
About 10 youths from a city-funded organization called Project HEAVY, or Human Efforts Aimed at Vitalizing Youth & Family, also participated Thursday.
Instead of being incarcerated for criminal offenses, the youths are sentenced to help Project HEAVY beautify the city, said Chuck Ellis, a spokesman for the city Department of Public Works.
Other materials collected during the city’s roundups will also be recycled, Ellis said. For instance, used motor oil will be used to tar roofs, and some car batteries can be rebuilt, he said.
The third of eight roundups of hazardous household wastes is scheduled this weekend at Valley College in Van Nuys.
Hazardous household wastes may be dropped off at Valley College from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday.
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