Los Angeles waste services
Commercial and multi-family services
Each commercial business and multi-family dwelling is offered the following:
- Commercial Refuse collection
- Commercial Recycle collection
- Commercial Organic Recycling collection
What goes in your bins? AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling AB 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling Regulation
Recycling bin guidelines
Be sure your recyclables are empty, clean & dry before you toss them in the blue bin.
Acceptable recycling materials:
- All glass bottles and jars
- All plastics labeled #1, 2 and 5
- Aluminum and tin cans
- Aluminum foil
- Aseptic Containers
- Corrugated cardboard
- Junk mail
- Magazines
- Mixed paper
- Newspaper
- Telephone books
Unacceptable recycling materials:
- Ceramics (dishes, etc.)
- Clothing
- Disposable Diapers
- Drinking glasses
- Food waste
- Light bulbs
- Mirrors
- Wax Paper
- Window or safety glasses
Organic recycling bin guidelines
Acceptable organic materials:
- Fruits & Vegetables
- Dirty Pizza Boxes
- Egg Shells & Bones
- Bread, cheese, and pastries
- Coffee Grounds & Filter
- Dirty paper plates, bags, cups & napkins
- Grains and Beans
- Household plants
- Weeds
- Wood Chips
- Grass clippings, leaves, tree branches, and roots
- Branches & twigs up to 6 inches in diameter, no longer than 4 feet
Unacceptable organic materials:
- Animal Waste
- Grease/Oils
- Liquids
- Plastic Bags, other plastics
- Styrofoam
- Utensils/Metal/Foil
Food recovery & furniture, equipment & supply programs
Food recovery
Good food doesn’t belong in the trash, but sadly it often ends up there. At restaurants where a menu special didn’t sell well, bakeries with too many of yesterday’s bagels, or grocery stores rotating out older stock, edible food has often ended up in waste containers and then headed to landfills. Thanks to Republic Services’ partnership with Food Finders, we hope that more of this food goes to help feed hungry people.
Food Finders is a nonprofit food rescue organization that strives to eliminate hunger and food waste while improving nutrition throughout Los Angeles. Food collected is delivered same-day to nonprofit shelters, missions, senior and youth centers, recovery homes, and other agencies. Some businesses donate regularly and others just occasionally. By donating edible food, your business may benefit from:
- Improved compliance with AB 1826, the mandatory commercial organics recycling law
- Tax deductions for charitable giving
- Stronger ties with your community
If your business is interested in donating food through this partnership, contact Republic Services at 562-347-4100.
Additional commercial and multi-family services
Bulky waste
Bulky waste consists of items that are too large to place in your waste containers such as furniture, appliances, old rugs, and electronics.
Multi-Family Dwellings - LA Sanitation provides bulky item collection. To schedule a pickup have the property manager contact the City of Los Angeles Sanitation Customer Care Center 24 hours in advance at 800-773-2489 or visit
Commercial Customers - Republic Services provides bulky item collection for an additional
Universal recycling
Republic Services makes it easy to recycle your universal waste safely and responsibly. We offer two simple solutions to accommodate your bulb, battery, ballast, and mercury-containing device recycling. Our team of dedicated specialists can work with you to find the best solution for your unique business.
Mail-back kits
A simple solution for smaller quantities of universal waste items lets you package and ship on your schedule.
Pack-up & Pick-up
We help make it easy for customers with large quantities of universal waste items to stay compliant. Our consultative approach starts with an assessment of your universal waste output and a proposal based on your needs.
Medical Sharps
Multi-Family Dwellings - Sharps are considered Hazardous Waste and are illegal to dispose of in carts. If you have any sharps that need to be disposed of please contact our Customer Service Department at 855-737-7871 to order a Sharps collection container for a fee or visit our website at
Recycling opportunity assessments
Republic Services will personally visit all Multi-Family Dwellings and commercial businesses to perform a free recycling opportunity assessment to get a thorough understanding of your needs. Once complete we will create a customized plan for your company, including our solid waste service, our recycling service, and our organic recycling service.
Recycling workshops
Republic Services offers on-site workshops and employee training. Call customer service for more information at 888-238-8850.