Los Angeles County Public Works is proposing to transition unincorporated north County communities from an open market system to a permanent and sustainable solid waste collection system. The County currently has three separate systems for managing the collection of trash, recyclables, and organic waste for residents and businesses in the unincorporated areas. The three types of systems are garbage disposal district, residential franchise, and commercial franchise. The County is currently working on the process of completing an Environmental Impact Report for establishing solid waste collection services in the north County and, with community input, the best system for the residents will be put in place.

Garbage disposal districts would address concerns received from residents regarding their current trash system and establish a trash collection system that would improve the quality of life for residents by providing services such as bulky item collection and help provide dedicated funding to address illegal dumping.

A residential franchise would also address concerns received from residents regarding their current trash system and establish a trash collection service that would improve the quality of life for residents by providing services such as bulky item collection. A franchise system does not provide dedicated funding to address illegal dumping. Franchise contracts provide service to residential customers who use the three-cart system, which includes single-family homes or small multifamily complexes up to four units only. If a residential franchise system is established, an exclusive commercial franchise system would also need to be established to provide dumpster service. Dumpster service would be provided to businesses, multifamily complexes of five units or more, and single-family homes that request dumpster service rather than the three-cart system.

Public Works is seeking feedback from unincorporated north County residents on their solid waste and recycling needs. If you have feedback you would like to share, please e-mail us at trash@pw.lacounty.gov. Public Works continues to work with local town councils and communities throughout the north County to provide the latest information and receive valuable feedback from residents on the proposed solid waste collection services.

Update December 2022

Due to the comments Public Works received in response to the California Environmental Quality Act documents that were posted for public review in 2022, Public Works is now preparing a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR). We anticipate a Notice of Preparation (NOP) will be released in late January 2023 and a scoping meeting will be held in February 2023. When available, the NOP may be found at North County Solid Waste Collection Services NOP. Public Works will attend community meetings to answer questions and receive feedback from residents to help establish the new solid waste collection system that will address the unique needs of the residents of north Los Angeles County. We anticipate the EIR will be made available for public review by summer 2023.