Thanks to YOU! Local efforts to recycle more and waste less added up to 44% less
volume sent to the landfill in 2000 compared to 1990. That's a great
achievement for Laguna Beach as we strive to reach 50% diversion as required by
the State.
Remember to recycle beverage containers at home and on the go. The
increasing popularity of 20-oz plastic bottles is contributing to a noticeable
drop in the plastic beverage container recycling rate. These containers
are recyclable, so whether you are on the road for business, vacation or a
weekend outing, deposit your empty beverage containers in a recycling bin such
as the one pictured above or
take them back home to place in your home recycling cart.
By reusing what you can and finding someone that wants what you
have, you can reduce the amount of trash generated in your home. Actions
you take to prevent waste work in concert with recycling efforts. Since
1989, Laguna Beach residents have recycled more than 50,000 tons of valuable
materials through the City's curbside collection program.
Residents continue to demonstrate their commitment to community goals and the
environment. About 75-80% of residences continue to set out their
recycling carts on a regular basis. By disposing of hazardous wastes
properly, you help prevent stormwater pollution. Reusing or reselling
furniture appliances, toys and clothing keeps these materials from the landfill.
More importantly, charitable donations of your unwanted goods benefit people.
Your active participation to reduce what goes to the landfills does make a
difference to offset disposal costs, meet State mandates, extend the life of our
landfills, and protect our beaches and ocean from contamination.
How Am I Billed?
Residential solid waste collection charges are included with the annual
property tax statement. Commercial collection is billed directly by Waste
Management of Orange County on a monthly basis. Properties with 5 or less
dwelling units are classified as residential. Properties with 6 or more dwelling
units or properties used for commercial purposes are considered commercial.
What Size Carts Should I Get?
Each residential unit can request up to five carts per unit: two for
recycling, two for green waste and one for trash. Cart sizes come in small (35
gallons), medium (64 gallons) and large (96 gallons.) Typically, one cart
for each commodity in the medium size is sufficient for most families.
What Goes Where?
The gray-lidded cart is for recyclables, the green-lidded cart is for green
waste, and the blue-lidded cart is for trash - household waste that cannot be
recycled. Generally, only items that are placed in the carts will be collected.
Recyclables include glass, plastics containers, aluminum, metals and clean
paper such as junk mail, envelopes, cereal and food boxes, cardboard, magazines
- just about anything that tears!
Green waste includes all yard trimmings, grass, tree branches, sawdust, green
plants, weeds, etc. - basically, all organic materials generated from your yard
work.
- Do not place green waste in plastic bags.
- Ice plant and palm branches cannot be placed in the green waste cart
- Do not place animal and food waste in the green waste cart.
When in doubt, throw it out with the trash. This will minimize contamination.
What if I have extra trash sometimes?
Excess trash or overage may be placed out next to your solid waste carts up
to six times a year in trash bags or your own containers (up to eight bags or
cans per overage collection.)
What do I do if I need extra carts?
Residents may obtain a second recycling and/or green waste cart at no
additional charge. Additional trash carts may be obtained for a nominal fee of
$2 per month each. If you need extra carts or need to replace a lost or stolen
cart or need to exchange the size of your cart, call Waste Management's Customer
Service Center at (949) 642-1191.
Where can I take my recyclables if I don't have recycling service where I
live?
Bottles and cans can be redeemed through vending machines located at
Albertson's on Coast Highway. A beverage container buyback center is
located at the Von's store at the corner of El Toro Road and Moulton in Laguna
Hills. Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in the
curbside collection of recyclables available at your home or business.
Where can I dispose of household hazardous materials such as partially filled
paint cans, antifreeze, gasoline, pesticides and aerosol cans?
Orange County residents may dispose of household hazardous waste,
at no charge, by taking it to any one of four facilities located throughout
the County. For more information on household hazardous waste,
click here.
Where can I recycle oil?
You can recycle oil, at no charge, at the following location:
-
Pete's Automotive
890 South Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Tel: (949) 494-7408
Service stations will often take used motor oil, car batteries and antifreeze
for a nominal charge.
Where can I recycle old tires?
You can recycle your old tires at the following location Monday -
Friday 8-5 p.m. for a nominal fee:
-
Wheel & Tune
1925 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Tel: (949) 497-1650
Where can I recycle styrofoam packaging?
You can recycle your "peanut" packaging and "bubble"
packaging at the following locations. Please call them for operating
hours:
-
Mail Boxes Etc.
219 Broadway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Tel: (949) 494-4420
-
-
Canyon Box and Packaging
-
Tel: (949) 494-3523
How can I reduce the amount of junkmail that I receive?
Write a letter to the following address to remove your name from their
mailing lists:
-
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 9008
Farmington, NY 11735-9008
How do I report the theft of my recyclables by people in trucks?
Only Waste Management of Orange County has the legal right to take recyclables
placed in your recycling
cart. Here is what you can do to help:
- Put your recyclables out on the curb
by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection rather than the night before.
- If the incident is in progress, call
the police department at 497-0701.
What else can I do to help?
Reduce - Buy only what you need.
Buy in bulk. Avoid unnecessary packaging.
Reuse - Reuse what you can. Use mugs instead of plastic or paper cups;
bring your own canvas bag to the grocery store; recharge your batteries;
use cloth instead of paper napkins; use both sides of paper.
Recycle - For recycling to succeed, we all need to check the labels
and buy products made with recycled content. Everything from clothes to
carpet, cans to comic books are made from recycled materials. You are
doing your part when you help close the recycling loop!
