Q: What is recyclable?

A: The Bureau of Sanitation issues blue containers for recycling. The following are items that can be placed in the recycling container: metal food and beverage cans, aluminum food and beverage cans, aluminum foil, aerosol cans (empty and caps removed), glass jars and bottles, empty and dry paint cans, all clean paper, telephone directories, magazines, plastic containers, and plastic and film bags, including clean grocery and dry cleaner bags.

They do not accept styrofoam or wire hangers in the blue container. For more information on recycling, please call 1-800-773-2489, from Monday through Friday, between 7:30a.m. and 4:45p.m.

For a more complete list of what can be recycled:

RECYCLE ONLY THESE CLEAN ITEMS

All Clean Dry Paper (computer, ledger, wrapping, arts and craft paper, unwanted mail, flyers, telephone books, note cards, newspaper, blueprints, magazines, file folders, paper bags, Post-it notes, catalogues; and all envelopes including those with windows)

All Cardboard Boxes and Chipboard (cereal, tissue, dry food, frozen food, shoe, and detergent boxes; paper and toilet rolls; and corrugated boxes (broken down and flattened))

All Aluminum, Tin, Metal, and Bi-Metal Cans (rinsed if possible, soda, juice, soup, vegetables, and pet food cans; pie tins; clean aluminum foils; empty paint and aerosol cans with plastic caps removed)

All Glass Bottles and Jars (rinsed if possible, soda, wine, beer, spaghetti sauce, pickle jars, broken bottles, and etc.)

Empty Plastic Containers (rinsed if possible, soda, juice, detergent, bleach, shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, dishwashing liquid bottles, milk jugs, tubs for margarine and yogurt, plastic planters, and etc.)

All Plastic Bags and All Film Bags (grocery bags and dry cleaner bags)

 

DO NOT RECYCLE THESE ITEMS

If these items are placed in the blue container, there's a likelihood of contaminating the other clean materials. Please ensure that the items placed in the blue container are clean and free from contaminants.

NO Contaminated Paper (all soiled papers or bags (with oils and food waste))

NO Broken Glass (window glass, mirror glass, auto glass, light bulbs, fluorescent lights and ceramics)

NO Other Plastic (plastic trays from frozen dinners, plastic six-pack rings, plastic hygienic items, plastic hangers, and plastic toys)

NO (coated milk cartons, electrical cords, cloth/fabric, PVC, styrofoam (polystyrene), products used for packing or from fast food restaurants, wire hangers, appliances, mini blinds, kitchen utensils, lawn furniture, garden hoses, rubber tires, no construction materials, including asphalt or concrete, wood and wood products)

NO Hazardous Materials (syringes, all partially filled aerosol cans and containers for cleaning fluids, automotive fluids, batteries, pesticides, oil based paint, garden chemicals, and pool cleaners)

To dispose of the hazardous materials please call:

1–800-98-TOXIC (1-800-988-6942)

Q: Why doesn’t the City collect some items that are recyclable, and even have the recycling emblem stamped on the bottom?
A: Although many materials are indeed recyclable, City recycling centers cannot accept some of these materials because they have no current market value. So, if recycling centers can’t find a place to sell the materials, they will end up taking the materials to the landfill at an additional cost, which is passed on to the City. For further information, please call the Bureau of Sanitation Customer Call Center at 1-800-773-2489.

Q: How can I get a trash can repaired or replaced?

A: For containers that are damaged or lost, call the Sanitation Call Center at 1-800-773-2489 Monday through Friday between 7:30a.m. and 4:45p.m.

You could also send us your request for container replacement or repair by clicking

http://www.lacity.org/SAN/service_request.htm

Container service is rendered the day after your normal collection day. For example, if your regular trash day is Monday, we will service your container on Tuesday.
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