What is Organics?
Every peel, stem, eggshell, crust, soiled napkin, and yard trimming you put in your green bin helps LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) create compost that nourishes the soil at California farms to grow fresh food for our communities. By keeping food and green waste out of landfills, Angelenos also help reduce methane emissions and protect our climate for future generations.
The term "organic waste" covers a wide variety of items including yard trimmings, manure, food waste, and more. Organic waste makes up a large portion of waste that goes to disposal in landfills. LASAN has had a program since the 1990's for the collection and recycling of yard trimmings and manure, and has been training City residents for the past 20 years on how to manage organic waste in their own backyards through composting workshops.
When organic waste is buried in landfills it can decompose anaerobically (without oxygen) and generate methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that has negative effects on our environment. Because recycling organic waste helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, LASAN is working on a number of programs to beneficially reuse food waste and compostable materials, thus preventing them from being buried in landfills. These programs include food waste prevention, food rescue of edible food to provide meals to those facing food insecurity, creation of renewable energy from food scraps, and the enrichment of the soil through the creation of compost.
Why does City of Los Angeles have an Organics program?
OrganicsLA is the City of Los Angeles’ residential curbside organics recycling program. It helps keep food waste out of landfills and turns it into compost that supports California agriculture and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Under California law (SB 1383), all residential properties must separate food scraps and food-soiled paper from trash. LASAN collects your green bin weekly on your regular collection day.
Why should Angelenos participate?
Every peel, stem, eggshell, crust, soiled napkin, and yard trimming you put in your green bin helps LASAN create compost that nourishes the soil at California farms to grow fresh food for our communities.
By keeping food and green waste out of landfills, Angelenos also help reduce methane emissions and protect our climate for future generations.
Watch our 1-minute video to see how small actions can make a big impact for Los Angeles.