Sofia Martinez
Santa Monica has implemented several initiatives to reduce plastic waste and promote recycling. The city encourages residents to recycle plastics and provides guidelines for proper waste disposal. Additionally, Santa Monica has introduced a new law mandating the recycling of organic materials, aiming to reduce landfill disposal to 1.1 pounds per person per day by 2030. The city also offers complimentary pick-up services for bulky items and household hazardous waste, and hosts monthly recycling events. While specific data on the amount of plastic waste produced by Santa Monica is not readily available, the city's efforts towards waste reduction and recycling are notable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current landfill disposal | 3.5 pounds per person per day |
| Landfill disposal goal by 2030 | 1.1 pounds per person per day |
| Plastic waste that can be recycled | Beverage bottles, plastic water bottles, juice bottles, drink containers, plastic food containers, shampoo and conditioner bottles, household cleaning product containers, plastic bags, plastic buckets, crates, packaging, plastic toys, plastic pipes, plastic drums, IBC Totes, plastic wrap, stretch films, plastic squeeze bottles, plastic trash can liners, plastic wire and cable insulation, plastic caps, plastic packaging, plastic water pipes, plastic milk jugs, plastic plumbing systems, plastic pallets, plastic knock-down bins, plastic food storage, plastic automotive parts, plastic interior panels, plastic battery casings, plastic Coroplast, plastic medical items, plastic supersac, plastic bulk bags, plastic BOPP film, plastic PVC or vinyl, plastic household items |
| Plastic waste that cannot be recycled | Plastic grocery bags, plastic bubble wrap, plastic chip bags, plastic sandwich bags, plastic tortilla bags, plastic bread bags, plastic soft plastics |
| Other waste that can be recycled | Yard waste, paper, glass bottles, glass containers, paints, cleaning supplies, electronic waste, clothes, shoes, household textiles, carpet, food scraps, paper towels, napkins, paper plates, paper bowls, paper straws, uncoated paper takeout containers, nature fiber, 100% wood/bamboo service ware and cutleries, bamboo forks and knives, disposable chopsticks, wooden coffee stirrers, metal water bottles |
What You'll Learn
Plastic bags are a common source of marine debris
Although I could not find information specific to Santa Monica's plastic waste, the city has implemented a new law requiring all residents to recycle organics. This is part of their zero-waste goal to reduce landfill disposal to 1.1 pounds per person per day by 2030.
Food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, and take-out containers are all made of plastic and were among the top 10 kinds of trash picked up during the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup. Single-use plastic items are specifically designed to be used only once before being discarded or recycled. During the Ocean Conservancy's 2018 International Coastal Cleanup, all ten of the top items found worldwide were single-use plastic items, including cigarette butts, food wrappers, straws, single-use cutlery, beverage bottles, and grocery bags.
The United States is a major contributor to plastic waste entering the marine environment. A study by Law et al. found that in 2016, the US produced 42 million metric tons of plastic waste and was the third-largest contributor to mismanaged plastic waste through littering, illegal dumping, and exporting waste to countries with improper disposal methods.
The NOAA Marine Debris Program works to understand how plastics and other marine debris enter our oceans and how they can be removed and prevented from polluting our marine environment. The program supports community-based marine debris removal projects, such as local shoreline cleanups, to benefit coastal habitats, waterways, and wildlife.
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Plastic recycling in Santa Monica
Santa Monica has a robust system in place to manage plastic waste and promote recycling. The city provides its residents with comprehensive guidelines on recycling, composting, and trash disposal, aiming for a zero-waste future.
The city implemented a new law in 2022 requiring all residents to recycle organics, which includes food waste and yard waste. Each household is provided with three containers for proper waste segregation: black for landfill trash, blue for non-organic recyclables, and green for organics. This system helps ensure that recyclable materials are given a second life, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Santa Monica also offers additional services to support its residents in their recycling efforts. These include complimentary pick-ups of bulky items, household hazardous waste collection, and various recycling events held throughout the year. The city encourages residents to reduce waste by purchasing recycled items, reusing plastic bags, and adopting reusable alternatives like metal water bottles.
When it comes to plastic recycling specifically, Santa Monica has specialized companies that purchase various types of plastic in bulk, including beverage bottles, food containers, plastic bags, and more. These companies arrange for the logistics and transportation of plastic waste to recycling centers, playing a crucial role in diverting plastic from landfills and promoting environmental sustainability.
Additionally, Santa Monica addresses the issue of plastic bag waste, a common source of marine debris. While grocery store plastic bags cannot be recycled in the blue containers due to machinery constraints, certain stores near Santa Monica accept these bags for recycling. Residents can also visit the NexTrex website to find more locations that recycle plastic bags.
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Santa Monica's solid waste rates
Santa Monica has implemented a number of measures to reduce solid waste and increase recycling rates. The city's goal is to reduce landfill disposal to 1.1 pounds per person per day (PPD) by 2030, a significant decrease from the current rate of 3.5 PPD. To achieve this, Santa Monica has introduced a mandatory organics recycling program, requiring residents to separate food waste and other organic materials from non-organic recyclables and landfill trash. The city provides green containers for organics, blue containers for non-organic recyclables, and black containers for landfill trash.
While Santa Monica's solid waste rates are not publicly available, the city has proposed rate increases to cover the rising costs of waste management services. These increases will also allow for enhanced alley cleanups, a new volunteer-driven community cleanup program, and the continuation of essential services. Despite the proposed increases, Santa Monica's rates remain competitive compared to other cities in LA County, especially for multi-family and commercial properties.
To further reduce solid waste, Santa Monica offers additional services such as on-demand household hazardous waste pickup, bulky item collection, and monthly recycling events. Residents can recycle a wide range of materials, including plastic, glass, paper, and metal. The city also encourages the purchase of recycled items to increase the lifespan of products and reduce the need for new raw materials.
Santa Monica also provides resources for proper disposal and recycling of specific items like clothing, paint, and medications. For instance, residents can drop off gently used clothing and household textiles at various locations around the city. PaintCare sites accept house paint and similar products in their original containers, and safe drug drop-off programs are available at sheriff stations throughout Los Angeles County.
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Santa Monica's zero-waste goal
Santa Monica has implemented a number of initiatives to achieve its zero-waste goal. The city aims to reduce landfill disposal to 1.1 pounds per person per day by 2030, a significant decrease from the current rate of 3.5 pounds. To achieve this, Santa Monica has introduced a mandatory recycling programme for organics, which came into effect on January 1, 2022. All residents are required to separate their waste into three categories: black containers for landfill trash, blue containers for non-organic recyclables, and green containers for organics. The city is also encouraging the use of reusable items, such as metal water bottles and sandwich bags, to reduce waste.
Santa Monica provides comprehensive guides to assist residents in properly disposing of their waste. The city's website offers information on what items belong in each type of container, emphasising the importance of keeping non-recyclable items out of the blue and green containers to prevent contamination. Additionally, Santa Monica offers free recycling events and promotes the purchase of 100% recycled items to extend the lifespan of already-made products. Residents can also take advantage of complimentary pick-up services for bulky items and household hazardous waste.
The city has also addressed the issue of plastic waste, which is a significant contributor to environmental pollution. While plastic bags cannot be recycled in the blue containers due to the risk of machinery malfunction, certain stores near Santa Monica accept plastic bags for recycling. The city encourages residents to recycle plastic items such as beverage bottles, food containers, and packaging, as recycling allows for the reutilization of materials and reduces the need for new raw materials.
To support its zero-waste goal, Santa Monica has considered rate increases for solid waste services. While the city previously froze solid waste rates during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate financial burdens on residents, the increased rates would enable the continuation of essential services, enhance alley cleanups, and implement sustainable zero-waste programming. Despite the proposed increases, Santa Monica's rates remain competitive compared to other cities in LA County.
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Household hazardous waste
Santa Monica has a zero-waste goal to reduce landfill disposal to 1.1 pounds per person per day by 2030. To achieve this, the city encourages the separation of waste into three categories: black containers for landfill trash, blue containers for non-organic recyclables, and green containers for organic waste.
The city also provides a Hazardous Waste Drop-off Center for small businesses located in Santa Monica that qualify as Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG). These businesses can dispose of hazardous waste, including paints, solvents, and electronic waste, by scheduling an appointment at the drop-off center.
In addition to these programs, Santa Monica offers resources to help residents reduce their waste. This includes promoting the use of reusable items, such as metal water bottles, and providing information on how to compost at home. The city also encourages the purchase of 100% recycled items to reduce waste and increase the lifespan of already-made products.
Overall, Santa Monica is committed to reducing its waste and providing safe and accessible options for its residents to dispose of household hazardous waste properly.
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Frequently asked questions
Santa Monica produces 3.5 pounds of landfill waste per person per day. The city's goal is to reduce this to 1.1 pounds per person per day by 2030.
Santa Monica has implemented a new law requiring all residents to recycle organics, with the city providing green containers for this purpose. The city also encourages residents to recycle or donate unwanted items and offers free recycling events and safe drug drop-off programs.
Common sources of waste in Santa Monica include unwanted paint, which is the largest type of hazardous waste generated by residents, as well as clothing, electronic waste, and plastic bags.
