Recycling green waste and wood products provides the City many benefits. The diversion of green waste helps to conserve the rapidly dwindling landfill space and postpone the very unpopular construction of new landfills. Nearly 24% of the City's entire waste stream is composed of landscaping and wood waste. The savings that this recycling program generates are substantial.

The mulch that is produced by green waste recycling is placed along the City's 295 acres of landscaped median islands and on selected DWP sites. This conserves significant amounts of water, one of our state's most precious resources, and improves the porosity and aeration of the soil resulting in healthier, more vigorous plants and increased ecological services. Mulching also helps to reduce erosion and acts as a barrier to emerging weeds, reducing the necessity to buy, mix, and apply herbicides.

This information sheet is provided as a public service. Hopefully, it answers the important questions regarding urban forest waste recycling. If you have any further questions, please refer them to the Urban Forestry Division Inspector or contact the Division at (213) 847-3077. For the hearing-impaired, the TDD number is (213) 473-6600. This and other information sheets may be obtained at the Urban Forestry Division office at 1149 S. Broadway Street, 4th Floor, Los Angeles , CA 90015 .

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities.