Virtual Kick-off Meeting

August 21, 2023

Question and Answer

There are many opportunities for you to collaborate with other stakeholders in developing and implementing programs to achieve Zero Waste Plan initiatives. You can participate by joining existing stakeholder groups or by establishing new working groups to develop and implement new programs. Please visit the Zero Waste Plan webpage and contact us at zerowaste@pw.lacounty.gov to let us know areas that interest you and we will send you more information.

For general information and tips regarding organic waste management please visit Fight Food Waste | Los Angeles County. There are opportunities to support the Zero Waste Plan initiatives such as arranging for the collection of the organic waste at school campuses and at large events where food is served. There are also Zero Waste Plan initiatives such as arranging for edible food recovery. Please visit the County’s food recovery program, Food DROP for more information on how to participate in this program. In addition, there are Youth Programs and School Gardening Programs to teach students and teachers how to conserve natural resources and help the environment.

Several groups are advocating for alternatives to single-use food ware/packaging. For example, Reusable LA is one such group that is working on resolving the single-use plastic pollution issue by championing a reuse and refill culture. Please email us at zerowaste@pw.lacounty.gov and we will help you with your search to find an organization that can assist your business or government office with alternatives to single-use food ware/packaging.

As a resource for businesses and other local agencies in the County’s unincorporated areas, Public Works has developed a compostable foodware list with compostable products that meet the County’s Board adopted Ordinance called the “Reduction ofWaste from Single-Use Articles and Expanded Polystyrene Products”. The link to the compostable foodware products list is https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/EPS/FoodFacilities.cfm. The list has fiber-based products and other products that have been certified compostable by both the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA).

Please contact your waste haulers for guidance on materials accepted in the recycling and organic waste bins. You may also self-haul your biodegradable/compostable products to processing facilities such as composting facilities. Zero FoodPrint has compiled a list and corresponding map of composting facilities. You may contact these facilities to find out which materials they accept: https://www.zerofoodprint.org/sb1383

Alternatives to single-use plastic may be more expensive at this time. However, we hope that prices become lower due to the economy of scale once more jurisdictions work on phasing out single-use plastic foodware.

Paper towels are included in the definition of organic waste and therefore need to be diverted or source reduced. We understand that not all waste haulers accept restroom paper towels or food-soiled paper in the organic waste bin for diversion. Here at Public Works, for example, we are considering a few source-reduction option which includes switching to air dryers or linen service.

One “downstream/waste diversion” initiative in the Zero Waste Plan that comes to mind includes developing sustainable waste management facilities that can handle various waste streams including soiled paper. This includes developing pilot projects to demonstrate the benefits, feasibility, and safety of sustainable waste management technologies to process organic waste such as paper and textiles that end up in the waste stream.

SB 1383 has a de minimis organic waste generation waiver. If the total solid waste collection is less than 2 cubic yards per week, and the number of organics generated is less than 10 gallons per week, your facility may be able to qualify but the County has a policy with a stronger threshold.

If your facility receives waste collection services from a city, please contact the city to find out whether you can apply for this waiver.

If your facility receives waste collection services through an unincorporated County Contract (i.e., a Garbage Disposal District or a Residential or Commercial Franchise) please visit Fight Food Waste | Los Angeles County (fightfoodwastela.com) for more information on existing organic waste management programs being implemented. On November 16, 2021, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted the Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction Ordinance. The Ordinance ensures the unincorporated areas of the county divert organic waste and edible food from landfills to reduce emissions of methane and the impacts of climate change.

If your facility’s County Department receives service through one of the FASMA haulers, please visit https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/organics/ for more information on existing organic waste management programs being implemented at County Departments.

Reuse & Source Reduction

Reduction of Waste from Single-Use Articles and Expanded Polystyrene Products Ordinance: Adopted in 2022, this County Ordinance requires full-service restaurants to use multiservice utensils for their dine-in customers; prohibits food facilities from automatically providing single-use foodware accessories to any customer with their order of ready-to-eat food; requires online food-ordering platforms to enable customers to select which single-use foodware accessories, if any, they choose to have included with their order; prohibits retail establishments from providing any expanded polystyrene products to customers; and prohibits food facilities from providing single-use articles with ready-toeat food and raw food trays and egg cartons unless the articles are either compostable or recyclable.

Source Reduction

Reduce Single-Use Plastics Policy: Adopted in 2021, this County Policy directs departments to eliminate the use of single-use plastics and to purchase sustainable alternatives and establishes guidelines for County convenings to be zero waste.

Toner Cartridge Policy: In 2009, the CEO directed all department heads to implement the purchase and use of remanufactured laser toner cartridges, where available, for all black and white desktop printers and copiers.

Green Purchasing Policy: Adopted in 2007, this County Policy directs departments to implement the County’s Energy and Environmental Programs for energy conservation and environmental stewardship. To meet the Board’s policy objectives, procedures have been and continue to be developed and implemented for the procurement of environmentally preferable (or “green”) and energy-efficient products and services.

Electronic E-Waste Surplus Policy: Adopted in 2006, the Board directs departments to post their surplus PCs and related computer equipment on the County Surplus Property Website for claiming by approved nonprofit organizations.

Recycled-Content & Source Reduction

OrganicWaste Policy: Adopted in 2021, this County Policy directs departments to comply with SB1383, which includes the procurement of certain products made from organic waste and the donation of excess edible food.

Utilizing Recycled-Content Paper: Adopted in 2008, this Board Motion, among other directives, directs departments to purchase and use paper with no less than 30 percent recycled content.

Purchase of Re-refined Oil: Adopted in 1998, this Board Motion directs departments to purchase and use re-refined motor oil in all County motorized vehicles and equipment.

Poll Results

Which best describes your organization?

Total responses = 117

Organization Type Percentage
Non-profit 9%
City/Jurisdiction 36%
Solid Waste Hauler or Recycler 9%
State or Local Agency 8%
Consulting Firm 4%
County Department 33%
Did you provide feedback on the Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future plan adopted in 2014 or the updated Zero Waste Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors in September 2022?

Total responses = 106

Answer Percentage
Yes 27%
No 73%
On a scale of 1-5, how familiar are you with the Zero Waste Plan? (5 being very familiar)

Total responses = 114

Scale Percentage
1 18%
2 22%
3 41%
4 11%
5 7%
On a scale of 1-5, how easy was it to understand the Zero Waste Plan? (5 being the easiest)

Total responses = 95

Scale Percentage
1 1%
2 4%
3 39%
4 41%
5 15%
Which sustainability goals does your organization align with the most? Select top three.

Total responses = 90

Goal Percentage
Eliminating single use items, especially polystyrene foodware products from place of business or government facility. 16%
Circular Economy – reusing materials including repairing products. 15%
Implementing strategies to avoid cross contamination of various recyclable materials with non-recyclable materials. 15%
FoodRecovery – connecting businesses with food donation organizations. 20%
Advocating for extended producer responsibility of products such as Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste 13%
Advocating for development of infrastructure to process waste. 21%
What are the potential benefits to achieving a truly sustainable waste management future? (Select all that apply)

Total responses = 100

Benefits Percentage
Reducing dependence on landfills and exporting waste 23%
Alleviating the cost of managing disposal of waste 15%
Conserving natural resources22 22%
Protecting the environment 23%
Creating green jobs 16%
Would you be interested in attending and engaging in stakeholder meetings?

Total responses = 88

Answer Percentage
Yes 83%
No 17%
How would you like to meet in the future to advance Zero Waste Plan initiatives?

Total responses = 110

Meeting Type Percentage
In-person 5%
Virtual 42%
Hybrid – both options available 54%