What to know
- Cleaner neighborhood air: We launched this program to replace old diesel engines with clean-burning alternatives, significantly reducing toxic exhaust emissions on your street.
- Over 82% clean fuel trucks: Out of our active fleet of more than 720 collection vehicles, the vast majority are now powered by clean, renewable natural gas.
- Massive pollution cuts: Since 2001, switching fuels has cleared away tons of harmful air pollutants—the equivalent of taking 28,000 passenger cars off the road for an entire year.
- Funded by competitive grants: We have secured approximately $35 million in outside grants and incentives to offset infrastructure costs and protect local city tax dollars.
- An electric future is next: In alignment with citywide sustainability goals, we are testing new battery-electric collection trucks to pave the way for a 100% zero-emission fleet.
Our Clean Air Fleet Journey
Every single day, our neighborhood collection trucks travel throughout the City of Los Angeles to handle your residential waste. Traditionally, these heavy-duty trucks relied on diesel fuel, which produced heavy exhaust. To protect public health and the environment, LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) launched the Clean Fuel Program (Program) following the adoption of the City Council’s clean fuel policies.
Today, we operate more than 720 medium and heavy-duty hauling vehicles across six strategic district yards. Most of our trucks are Automated Side-Loaders (ASLs), which are the standard trucks that lift your curbside bins. Currently, more than 82% of our entire fleet runs on clean natural gas, and five of our six maintenance yards are equipped with state-of-the-art natural gas fueling stations. This program has been recognized for excellence with a Quality and Productivity award from the City Commission and a Gold Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).
By the Numbers: Environmental Protection Impact
The data below tracks the cumulative pollution reductions achieved by our fleet since the program's inception in 2001, showcasing how changing our fuel source directly benefits the lungs of our communities.
Environmental Benefit Category | Total Savings & Reductions Achieved | Real-World Community Equivalent |
Clean Natural Gas Consumed | Over 81,000,000 LNG Gallons | Replaced toxic petroleum alternatives |
Standard Diesel Fuel Avoided | Over 47,000,000 Gallons | Kept out of neighborhood air corridors |
Particulate Matter (PM) Reduced | Over 17 Tons | Less airborne soot and fine toxins |
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Reduced | Over 890 Tons | Major reduction in smog-forming gases |
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Prevented | ~130,000 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MTCO2E) | Equivalent to removing 28,000 gasoline passenger vehicles driven for one yea |
Funding Our Green Future Wisely
Upgrading hundreds of heavy-duty collection vehicles and building specialized fueling stations requires significant financial investment. To protect local city funds, our program aggressively pursues outside grants and incentive programs.
Since 2001, we have successfully secured approximately $35 million in external funding. We routinely partner with several regional and state environmental agencies, including:
- The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC)
- The Carl Moyer Program
- The Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP)
Looking Ahead: Driving Toward 100% Electric
As vehicle technology evolves, so do our goals for a healthier Los Angeles. To support our city’s ultimate sustainability target of 100% fleet electrification, we are stepping into the next generation of clean transportation.
We are preparing to pilot brand-new, battery-electric medium-duty collection trucks during regular daily service routes. At the same time, we are collaborating with advanced technology partners on heavy-duty electric vehicle demonstration studies. These real-world tests allow our mechanics and routing experts to map out the unique logistical needs, infrastructure requirements, and charging resources necessary to launch a fully operational, zero-emission fleet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an Automated Side-Loader and other trucks?
Automated Side-Loaders (ASLs) make up the majority of our neighborhood fleet. These are the modern trucks equipped with a mechanical arm controlled by the driver. The arm reaches out, grips your curbside trash, recycling, or organic waste bin, and empties it into the truck body without requiring manual lifting.
Why did the city choose clean natural gas instead of sticking with diesel?
Traditional diesel engines produce fine soot, known as Particulate Matter (PM), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), which contribute heavily to local urban smog and respiratory issues. Clean natural gas burns much cleaner, drastically lowering these toxins and reducing our overall carbon footprint while we transition toward electric power.
Are these clean fuel trucks deployed equally across all areas of Los Angeles?
Yes. Our trucks are stationed across six different district yards that are strategically positioned around the city. This layout ensures that every neighborhood receives the same high-quality, eco-friendly collection services, while keeping truck travel distances short to further reduce road wear and emissions.