Polystyrene Foam in Curbside Recycling Program

LOS ANGELES IS NATION*S FIRST LARGE CITY TO INCLUDE POLYSTYRENE FOAM IN CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM

Contact: Richard E. Lee
(213) 978-0324
(213) 978-0333
Email: richard.lee@lacity.org.

LOS ANGELES (July 26, 2007) - Los Angeles residents now can recycle
polystyrene foam (popularly known as Styrofoam) among other plastic
products in their Blue Recycling Bins, announces City of Los Angeles
Public Works Board President Cynthia M. Ruiz. *As of July 1, the
City*s Blue Bin Recycling Program became the first large city in the
nation to include polystyrene foam in its recycling program,* adds
Ruiz.
Department of Public Works incorporated the product into its
recycling programs to provide residents convenience in recycling plastic
materials and for other environmental considerations, according to
Bureau of Sanitation Director Rita Robinson. *We now recycle
polystyrene foam to curb our dependency on urban landfills and decrease
tonnage going to landfills as well as to help reduce green house gas,
* says Robinson.
Polystyrene foam, has become a reliable, reusable resource where
in the past little or no recycling market existed, notes the Bureau
Director. *Less energy is needed to recycle than to manufacture the
product,* says Robinson. *Also, current economic factors have
contributed to its viability as a recyclable commodity.*
Clean polystyrene foam joins several items that can be placed in
curbside blue recycling containers, says Bureau of Sanitation Executive
Officer Enrique Zaldivar. *These items include all clean dry paper,
cardboard boxes and chipboard, aluminum, tin, metal and bi-metal cans,
coat hangers, glass bottles and jars,* says Zaldivar, *as well as
all plastics coded 1 through 7, including empty plastic containers,
plastic bags, film bags, and food trays.*
Manufacturers label plastic consumer products by type in code
designations 1 through 7. *Before July 1, the City only accepted
plastics in Codes 1, 2 and 4,* Zaldivar notes. *All plastics now are
accepted in the City*s recycling program.*

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Page 2 - LA FIRST CITY TO RECYCLE POLYSTYRENE

Plastic consumer product designations by code are as follows:
No. 1 - PETE (Polyethylene Terephphalate)
No. 2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
No. 3 - Vinyl
No. 4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
No. 5 - PP (Polypropylene)
No. 6 - PS (Polystyrene)
No. 7 - Other
Residents should ensure that items placed in the blue container are
clean and free from contaminants. *Contaminated paper, broken glass,
dirty foodservice packaging, and hazardous materials should not be
placed in the blue bin,* Zaldivar says. *Placing these items in
the blue container most likely will contaminate the other clean
materials.*
Details about appropriate materials for the City*s Blue Bin Recycling
Program are available at the following website:
www.lacity.org/san/solid_resources/recycling/what_is_recyclable.htm
The Department of Public Works is the third largest municipal agency in
the City. With more than 5,700 employees and an annual budget of more
than $1 billion, DPW is responsible for construction, renovation and
operation of public facilities and infrastructure, including curbside
collection and graffiti removal; and maintenance of streets, sidewalks,
sewers, streetlights and street trees. For more information, call the
Public Works Public Affairs Office at (213) 978-0333, or email:
PAO@lacity.org. The website address is: www.lacity.org/DPW/dpwhome.
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REL 07-26-07