Authorized Waste Haulers and State Requirements
The City does not have an exclusive franchise with any waste hauler. Any waste hauler operating within the City must enter into an agreement and sign a contract with the City. The Public Works Department is responsible for waste hauler contract administration.
The City has developed a comprehensive set of programs to achieve and maintain compliance with the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939), as amended, including the 50% waste landfill diversion goal. These programs are primarily implemented by the City’s authorized waste haulers and include recycling, green waste reuse and composting, mixed waste processing for material recovery, waste-to-energy, and Household Hazardous Waste collection. The City’s authorized Waste Haulers are required to achieve certain waste landfill diversion levels and can pay higher or lower Solid Waste Management Fees based on the amount of waste diverted from landfill.
The City prohibits self-hauling and contracting with waste haulers other than those that have a Service Agreement with the City. La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code (LCFMC) Section 9.12.120 specifies that it is a misdemeanor for non-permitted waste collectors to collect waste within the City. Fines of up to $500 per day may be assessed as long as the unauthorized collection continues (§9.12.020 & §1.04.010 La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code).
Please see the links below for additional information regarding trash collection, recycling, and where you can safely dispose of your Household Hazardous Waste, including paints, motor oil, batteries, and other items such as prescription medicines and sharps.
Household Hazardous Waste
Many common household, automotive, lawn, garden, hobby, cosmetic, and home improvement products that we use in our daily lives contain potentially hazardous ingredients and require special care when disposed. It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains, or onto the ground. Chemicals in illegally or improperly disposed hazardous waste can be released into the environment and contaminate our air, water, and possibly the food we eat. By throwing hazardous waste in the garbage, you can cause additional hazards to your waste collection workers and neighborhood. Products that have the words “caustic,” “corrosive,” “danger,” “explosive,” “flammable,” “poison,” “toxic” or “warning” on them are generally considered hazardous waste when disposed.
Household Waste Collection Centers Near La Cañada Flintridge
EAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
11025 Randall St.
Sun Valley, CA 91352
Businesses and organizations that are Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators may use this center by appointment only on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-98-TOXIC (1-800-988-6942)
LOS ANGELES-GLENDALE TREATMENT PLANT
4600 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Hours of Operation (Both Sites):
Saturdays & Sundays
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Glendale Environmental Management Center
780 Flower Street
Glendale, CA
Hours of Operation:
Wednesdays and Saturdays
9:00am to 1:00pm.
(A maximum of 15 gallons of liquid or 125 lbs. of solid hazardous waste are allowed per visit.) Please bring identification that shows your LCF address.
Sharps can also be safely and legally disposed at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station at 4554 N. Briggs Avenue in La Crescenta.
Construction and Demolition Program
Waste is generated every time a building is constructed, remodeled, or demolished. This waste is known as Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris. C&D debris often contains bulky, heavy materials, including concrete, wood, asphalt (from driveways and roofing shingles), gypsum (the main component of drywall), metals, bricks, and plastics. C&D debris also includes salvageable building components such as doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures. Much of this C&D debris can easily be recycled or reused rather than disposed of.
C&D recycling is a critical part of the City’s continuing effort to comply with the State’s mandate requiring all cities to recycle 50% of all their waste. C&D debris constitutes well over 30% of the total waste generated in the City. Approximately 85% of C&D debris is currently recyclable, making it the most easily recycled type of waste in the waste stream.
Many cities, including La Cañada Flintridge, developed C&D debris recycling programs to help prevent recyclable debris from ending up in our limited local landfills. Chapter 9.14 of the Municipal Code requires building permit applicants with projects over 1,000 square feet or more (including demolition/remodels) to submit a Building Debris Management Report and a Performance Security. The Performance Security amount is calculated at the lesser of 3% of the project cost or $10,000. The Performance Security is refunded if the applicant can document that at least 50% of the project debris is reused or recycled. Click here for the current list of authorized waste haulers that have a Service Agreement with the City. When contacting them, it is essential to confirm that at least 50% of the C&D debris from your project will be recycled based on the particular type of C&D debris to be generhttp://cityoflcf.wpengine.com/authorized_waste_hauler/ated and the services to be provided.
Effective March 21, 2017, Green Building Standard Code requires that applicants provide documentation showing that a minimum of 65% of non-hazardous construction and demolition (C&D) debris will be salvaged, recycled, or re-used.
The City prohibits self-hauling by contractors and contracting with waste haulers other than those that have a Service Agreement with the City.
La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code (LCFMC) Section 9.12.120 specifies that it is a misdemeanor for non-permitted waste haulers to collect waste within the City. Fines of up to $500 per day may be assessed as long as the unauthorized collection continues (§9.12.020 & §1.04.010 La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code).
Trash Collection
The City does not have an exclusive franchise with any waste hauler. Residents/Businesses are welcome to select from any of the authorized waste haulers.
Residential Collection
Haulers will provide three types of carts for automated pick-up service: Brown for trash, blue for recycling, and green for yard waste. They are available in 96-gallon, 64-gallon, and 32-gallon sizes. Contact your hauler for availability.
No waste containers shall be placed out for collection before 5 p.m. the day before the scheduled collection and must be brought in by 8 p.m. on the day of collection (or two hours after collection, whichever is later). Carts should be positioned on the edge of the street, against the curb with the handle facing your house.
Please refer to the Residential Customer Subscription Information provided by your waste hauler for further information regarding services they provide, such as free roll-out service for seniors or persons with disabilities.
Green Waste Collection and Recycling Program
The City has a mandatory green waste collection and recycling program for all single-family residences. Green waste makes up a significant percentage of the residential waste stream, and the program plays an important role in diverting waste from our landfills. Green waste in plastic bags cannot be recycled since the plastic contaminates the loads.
Seasonal Green Waste Collection
Additionally, seasonal green waste collection is provided up to twice a year on dates set by the City. Your waste hauler will collect unlimited amounts of green waste on these dates.
Bulky Waste / Electronic Waste / Green Waste Collection Events
The City schedules two Bulky Waste events per year, in May and November. Your waste hauler will collect unlimited amounts of bulky waste, electronic waste, and green waste on these dates. Look for the announcement on the City’s social media or under Spotlight of the City’s homepage.
Bulky Waste / Electronic Waste Collection Services
Your waste hauler will also provide two Bulky Waste/Electronic Waste pick-ups per 12-month period, upon request. Your waste hauler will collect unlimited amounts of the bulky waste and electronic waste as part of this service.
Bulky Waste includes furniture (such as chairs, sofas, mattresses, box springs, carpets and rugs); appliances (including ovens/ranges, washers, dryers, water heaters, dishwashers, plumbing, and small household appliances); electronic waste (see below); tree branches; scrap wood; and up to 2 tires (auto or light truck, with or without rims).
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) items are banned from disposal and include such items as cathode ray tubes (old TV and computer monitors), LCD and plasma screens, computers, telephones, answering machines, radios, stereo equipment, tape players/recorders, phonographs, and calculators.
Commercial Collection
Recycling Program
Each commercial hauler offers recycling services, including commingled recycling, mixed waste processing, and waste-to-energy diversion.
Please refer to the Commercial Customer Subscription Information provided by your waste hauler for information regarding services they provide.
State Mandatory Commercial Recycling Law
Mandatory Commercial Recycling was one of the measures adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in the Assembly Bill 32 Scoping Plan that was prepared under the California Global Warming Solutions Act (Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006). The California Mandatory Commercial Recycling Law focuses on increasing commercial waste recycling as a method to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
The California Mandatory Commercial Recycling Law was adopted by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and applied to:
Businesses, including non-profit organizations; mobile home parks; schools; and local, state, and federal agencies that dispose of four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week.
Multi-family residential dwellings of five units or more, regardless of the amount of waste disposed of per week.
State Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling Law – AB 1826 (Chapter 727, Statutes of 2014)
Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling is another one of the measures adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in the Assembly Bill 32 Scoping Plan that was prepared pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act (Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006). The California Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling Law focuses on increasing commercial organics waste recycling as a method to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
The California Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling Law was adopted by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), and as of January 1, 2017, applies to:
Businesses, including non-profit organizations; schools; and, local, state and federal agencies that generate four or more cubic yards of organic wastes (food waste, food-soiled paper that is mixed with food waste, non-hazardous wood waste, and garden and landscape waste, including landscape and pruning wastes that are removed by a landscape service) per week; and,
Multi-family housing complexes that generate four or more cubic yards of organic wastes (garden and landscape waste, including landscape and pruning wastes that are removed by a landscape service) per week.
By January 1, 2017, each of the entities in the above categories is required to recycle their organic waste types noted above.
By January 1, 2019, the participation threshold will change to the generation of four or more cubic yards of commercial solid waste per week (rather than being based on the number of organic wastes generated per week).
Mandated Commercial and Organics Recycling
If your business, organization, or multi-family housing development is required to comply with AB 341 and/or AB 1826, please contact your City-authorized waste hauler to set up the required recycling service immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Joshua Jeffrey (jjeffrey@lcf.ca.gov) in the Public Works Department.
California Assembly Bill 341 (AB 341), Mandated Commercial Recycling Requirements
California Assembly Bill 341 and associated regulations require commercial businesses and organizations with four or more cubic yards of refuse collection service per week, and multi-family housing developments with five or more dwelling units, to recycle materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, metals, food and yard waste. In the City of La Cañada Flintridge compliance with this law can be accomplished by source separating recyclable materials from other waste and participating in a recycling service that includes collection and recycling of recyclable materials; subscribing to a refuse collection service that includes processing of mixed waste to recover recyclable materials; and/or self-hauling recyclable materials off site for recycling.
California Assembly Bill 1826 (AB 1826), Mandated Organics Recycling Requirements
California Assembly Bill 1826 requires commercial businesses and organizations that generate two or more cubic yards of solid waste per week (refuse, recyclables and organic waste, including landscape and pruning waste hauled away by gardeners) to recycle their organic waste, which includes food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, non-hazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste. In the City of La Cañada Flintridge compliance with this law can be accomplished by source separating organic waste from other waste and participating in a waste recycling service that includes collection and recycling of organic waste, and/or recycling organic waste on site or self-hauling organic waste off site for recycling.
California Assembly Bill 827 (AB 827)
Effective July 1, 2020, California Assembly Bill 827 requires businesses and organizations that are subject to AB 341 and/or AB 1826 to provide customers with solid waste recycling containers to collect material generated from products purchased on the premises. The containers must be visible and easily accessible to customers and clearly marked with labeling indicating which materials are appropriate for each container. The containers must be adjacent to each trash can (restroom waste bins are excluded). Full-service restaurants are exempted from providing containers for customers if containers are provided wherever trash containers are located for employees to recycle solid waste.
