County IN BRIEF : CHATSWORTH : Gas Company Begins Recycling

Southern California Gas Co. on Monday announced that its previously wasted heaps of white paper scrap--memos, letters, and assorted bureaucratic leftovers--will be separated and recycled in a model program that officials hope other businesses will imitate. But in fact, such recycling programs are now “very common throughout Los Angeles,” said Joan Edwards, director of the city’s integrated solid waste management office. “Many paper dealers offer this service. It’s their bread and butter.” A news conference in Chatsworth featured Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus helping to dump sheets of used white paper into a large bin for collection by a private recycling contractor. Under the plan, used white paper from the gas company office will be sold to the recycler, with a portion of the money going to a volunteer service organization in Van Nuys.