Regional Compliance Hub: City of Los Angeles, CA (S.A.F.E. Centers)

This regional hub is designed to keep communities compliant by directing residents to the correct, approved drop-off locations for materials that are commonly banned from apartment dumpsters—especially Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), batteries, sharps, and electronics. In the City of Los Angeles, these materials must go to the City’s permanent S.A.F.E. Centers (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, Electronics).[1][2]

Washington Boulevard S.A.F.E. Center (Central LA Hub)

A centrally located option is the Washington Boulevard S.A.F.E. Center. Important: This network is weekend-only for public drop-off. Bring your materials sealed and stable in your trunk, and follow on-site staff instructions for safe unloading.[1][2]

  • Location: 2649 E. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90021[1][2]
  • Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Closed weekdays)[1][2]
  • Accepted Items (Examples): Paint, batteries, motor oil, automotive fluids, cleaners/chemicals, electronics (TVs, computers), and home-generated sharps (in a proper container).[2][3]
  • Weather / Holiday Closures: Collection sites can suspend operations during rain events and for certain holidays—confirm before you drive.[4]
  • Apartment Rule: Never put batteries, chemicals, sharps, or e-waste in apartment trash or recycling—this creates fire risk, contamination, and illegal disposal exposure.[1][2]

Other S.A.F.E. Centers (Same Weekend Hours)

If you are not near Central LA, use one of these alternate S.A.F.E. Centers. Locations below operate under the same weekend schedule unless otherwise posted.[1][5]

  • Hyperion (Westside / Coastal): 7660 W. Imperial Hwy, Gate B, Playa del Rey, CA 90293 (Sat–Sun 9:00 AM–3:00 PM)[5]
  • Gaffey (Harbor / San Pedro): 1400 N. Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731 (Sat–Sun 9:00 AM–3:00 PM)[5]
  • Randall (East Valley): 11025 Randall St, Sun Valley, CA 91352 (Sat–Sun 9:00 AM–3:00 PM)[6]
  • Balboa (North Valley): 10241 N. Balboa Blvd, Northridge, CA 91325 (Sat–Sun 9:00 AM–3:00 PM)[6]

Crucial Action: Bulky Items (MyLA311 / 3-1-1 First Step)

The Rule: Do not leave sofas, mattresses, appliances, or fridges at the curb or dumpster without an approved pickup—this can be treated as illegal dumping. The Fix: In the City of Los Angeles, residents can request bulky item pickup through MyLA311 / 3-1-1. Action: Use the MyLA311 app or call 3-1-1 to request a “Bulky Item Pickup.”[7][8]

Note: If your building is serviced by a private RecycLA hauler, your property manager may need to schedule bulky pickup under the building’s service terms. MyLA311 / 3-1-1 is still the best first step to confirm which pathway applies to your address.[8]

Organics Compliance (SB 1383): Food Waste Out of the Black Bin

Under California’s SB 1383 organics rules, jurisdictions must provide organics collection and residents must properly sort organic waste into the green container. Action: Put food scraps (fruit/veg, meat, dairy) and food-soiled paper (pizza boxes) into the Green Organics bin—not the black trash bin. If your apartment does not have organics service yet, ask property management when it is being implemented, as organics collection is required statewide.[9][10]

Glass Recycling (Accepted in LA Blue Bin)

Good news: Los Angeles accepts glass bottles and jars in the standard Blue Recycling stream. Follow the City’s prep guidance (empty/clean when possible; do not include non-container glass like window glass or ceramics).[11]

EEAT Sources: [1] LA Sanitation: S.A.F.E. Centers  |  [2] LA County Sanitation: HHW Program  |  [3] LA Stormwater: Accepted Items  |  [4] Rain Event Closure Guidance  |  [5] LA County: SAFE Center Listings  |  [6] LASAN PDF: SAFE Center Locations  |  [7] MyLA311  |  [8] LASAN: Bulky Item Collection  |  [9] CalRecycle: SB 1383 Organics Collection  |  [10] CalRecycle: Bin Colors & Systems  |  [11] LASAN: Blue Bin Recycling (Glass Accepted)

 
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In Los Angeles, recycling and organics service is mandatory for multifamily and commercial generators under local code and statewide law. The City implements requirements in LAMC Article 6 (Ordinance No. 187711, effective 1/18/2023), including §66.03 Solid Waste Service Required and §66.02 Container Specifications. The County regulates multifamily generators under its SB 1383 Organic Waste Reduction Ordinance and Public Works guidance for multifamily recycling.

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  • Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling & organics pickup reduces overflow and contamination.
  • Compliance Simplified: Aligns with City and County rules plus CalRecycle mandates (AB 341 / AB 1826 / SB 1383).
  • Local & State Alignment: Code-backed, inspector-friendly program design and documentation.

At a Glance: City of Los Angeles vs Unincorporated Los Angeles County

City of Los Angeles

  • Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling + Mandatory Organics (SB 1383; implemented via Ord. 187711 amending LAMC Article 6).
  • Applicability Threshold:
    • Recycling: Multifamily 5+ dwelling units (AB 341) and all MF under LAMC §66.03 must maintain recycling service.
    • Organics: Citywide organics subscription & separation for businesses and MF (Ord. 187711 / SB 1383).
  • Minimum Service & Set-Out (City guidance):
    • Streams required at each collection point: trash, recyclables, organics.
    • Containers: must meet LAMC §66.02 (durable, watertight, labeled/color-compliant).
  • Resident Education: Provide move-in and annual education; maintain records (SB 1383 implementation).
  • Key City Links: LAMC §66.03 — Solid Waste Service Required · LAMC §66.02 — Container Specifications · Ordinance 187711 (Full Text PDF) · Zero Waste LA — Education

Los Angeles County (Unincorporated)

  • Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling + Mandatory Organics participation for generators, including multifamily (County SB 1383 ordinance & Public Works program).
  • Applicability Threshold (Recycling): Multifamily generators producing ≈ 2 cubic yards/week of solid waste must arrange recycling service (County guidance); AB 341 also covers MF 5+ units.
  • Program Duties: Subscribe to trash, recycling, and organics; place bins as convenient as trash; color/label correctly; provide move-in and annual resident education; maintain records.
  • Key County Links: LA County Public Works — Smart Business Recycling · County Multifamily Recycling · County MF Recycling Flyer (PDF)

Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City & County)

Task Action / Requirement Resources / Links
☑ Subscribe to Required Services Active agreements for trash, recycling, and organics (City Ord. 187711 / LAMC; County SB 1383 program). City Ord. 187711 · County SB 1383 Program
☑ Streams & Container Specs (City) Streams: trash, recyclables, organics at each collection point; Containers: meet LAMC §66.02 and City color/label rules. LAMC §66.02 · Zero Waste LA — Education
☑ Applicability & Thresholds AB 341: MF 5+ units must arrange recycling. County guidance: MF generating ≈ 2 cubic yards/week must provide recycling. SB 1383: Organics subscription and separation citywide (City & County). CalRecycle — AB 341 · County MF Flyer
☑ Resident Education & Records Provide move-in & annual resident education; maintain service logs and contamination monitoring; keep documents for inspection (SB 1383). Zero Waste LA — Education · County Multifamily Recycling
☑ Site Design / Enclosures Provide right-sized, accessible, and screened trash/recycling/organics rooms or enclosures; co-locate streams and maintain color-compliant signage. L.A. Zoning Guidance (Recycling Area/Room)

Fines & Penalties Snapshot

City of Los Angeles

  • Enforcement basis: LAMC Article 6 as amended by Ord. 187711 (e.g., §66.03 service required; §66.02 container specs).
  • Administrative actions: Notices of violation; administrative citations; potential contamination fees or non-collection after repeated contamination under recycLA program rules/contract.
  • Tip: Keep education logs, service agreements, and contamination photos to avoid repeat-violation escalations.
  • Ord. 187711 (PDF) · Zero Waste LA

Los Angeles County (Unincorporated)

  • Enforcement basis: County SB 1383 Organic Waste Reduction Ordinance & Public Works guidance.
  • Penalties: County may levy administrative fines for non-compliance; details vary by violation and program guidance.
  • Tip: Meet or exceed recommended capacity and education standards to avoid citations.
  • County SB 1383 Program · MF Flyer (PDF)

Statewide SB 1383 (Base Ranges)

  • 1st violation: $50–$100 per violation
  • 2nd violation (same within 1 year): $100–$200
  • 3rd+ violation (within 1 year): $250–$500
  • Jurisdictions have discretion on contamination penalties; education-first approaches are allowed.
  • CalRecycle: Penalty Ranges · CalRecycle: Enforcement FAQ

Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Los Angeles property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.

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