Waste Reduction Initiatives   |   Waste Reduction Policy

Waste Reduction

The District's Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) oversees LAUSD's waste hauling and disposal and recycling programs, which are conducted by Republic Services, Inc.  The District is working with Republic  to provide schools with educational tools and resources encouraging waste reduction.

In December 2011, LAUSD awarded a District-wide rubbish collection and recycling services contract to Republic Services, Inc.  Republic provides support to the District's efforts to divert more of its waste stream from landfills by launching a renewed effort to increase recycling throughout the District.  For more information regarding the recycling program, refer to Memorandum MEM-5696.0, Update to New Rubbish and Recycling Services Program and LAUSD District-Wide Expanded Recycling Program.

Current LAUSD Goals
  • Increase the district's landfill diversion rate to 70% by 2020
  • Raise awareness:  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot

Numbers & Resources

LAUSD has a diversion rate of more than 25% through a program of reducing, reusing, recycling and rot (compost)

Schools diverted more than 87 tons of organic waste in 2015

Resources
  • Where does our waste go?
  • How can you reduce waste?
Waste Reduction Initiatives
King MS Styrofoam Art Installation

Campus Recycling

The District offers student training, lunchtime sorting/recycling, and teacher workshops through our vendor Republic Services.  

Organics Pilot

During the 2014-15 school year, 17 schools participated in a composting pilot program in which food waste was diverted from the normal waste stream and taken to a special facility for composting. The schools diverted more than 87 tons, averaging 7 tons per week.  The program is expanding in 2016.

Waste Reduction Awareness

Republic’s Recycling Outreach Team visit schools and other District facilities to discuss their current rubbish service and the opportunity to increase recycling in the classrooms, staff offices, cafeterias, operations facilities and Local District offices. ​

Scholarship Program

Each year, 16 students are awarded $1,000 scholarships for essays regarding waste reduction.
If you have questions about recycling bins, or about other waste management issues, contact:
Rubbish Collection & Recycling Services
Waste Reduction Hotline at (213) 241-3955
eMail:  wastemanagement@lausd-oehs.org
Find out where you can recycle locally:

Primary Partners