Trash Pickup and Recycling

On behalf of the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, I would like to respond to Janet Marie Bean’s letter published on July 6.

Regarding yard trimmings, residents are encouraged--not required--to bring grass, leaves, small branches and lumber to 10935 Tuxford St. in Sun Valley on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Yard material is composted with treated bio-solids from the Hyperion Wastewater Treatment Facility. It is a great way for residents to really reduce the amount of material they send to the landfills, in addition to our curbside recycling program.

Since the program began in April, about 400 tons of material have been diverted from the landfill.

Residents of Los Angeles are not charged for “trash hauling.” A sanitation equipment charge ($3 for single-family residences; $2 for apartments) is charged to cover the cost of refuse collection and disposal equipment. It does not cover the more considerable cost of actual collection or disposal operations.

Our automated user’s guides, which Ms. Bean said were “expensive booklets,” were produced at the lowest possible cost. Our goal was to make this brochure informative and also attractive enough for residents to read and keep. Additionally, we used photographs to clearly demonstrate the use of containers and bins, even if residents were unable to read the text.

Bean’s concern about alley or curb placement outlines a problem confronted while trying to implement a uniform collection program citywide. Residents with alley manual collection are asked to now place their automated containers in the street, unless they have been notified otherwise by a refuse collection supervisor. Residents also receive a special notice if there has been any change in their collection site.

If there is any confusion about curbside or alley collection, residents in the East Valley may call the East Valley Refuse Collection Yard at (818) 989-8522 for assistance.

We realize that the city’s new recycling and automated program may confuse residents while they are adjusting to our new operations. However, working together we can clear up any confusion and help to improve the quality of life in Los Angeles. If residents have questions, they may call (800) 773-CITY for information about curbside recycling, automated trash collection, drop-off sites for yard trimmings and back yard composting workshops.

DELWIN A. BIAGI, Los Angeles. Biagi is director of the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation .