City of Torrance - How to Recycle Construction Materials

HOW TO RECYCLE CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIALS:

The State of California requires that all cities recycle 50% of their waste that has been going to landfills. As waste is measured by weight, construction and demolition or C&D materials are a significant part of the waste stream. Recycling or reusing C&D from job sites can often reduce project costs and create jobs, as well as benefit the environment and meet State requirements.

The City of Torrance now requires that all demolition projects and construction or remodeling projects valued at $100,000 or more must recycle or reuse at least 50% of the materials that leave the project site. A Waste Management Plan (WMP) form is part of the permit process for projects that meet these criteria. The WMP form is available at the permit counter or a downloadable form is available that allows you to enter data electronically by clicking on the following link:

Waste Management Plan Form

Step 1 - when applying for the permit, you must fill out on the WMP form an estimate of the amount of waste that will be generated by the project, what types of materials are anticipated, that at least 50% will be recycled or reused and the facility or company that will assist with the recycling or reuse.

Step 2 - collect and keep all receipts and records of the disposal, recycling, donations, and reuse of the materials from your project.

Step 3 - complete the rest of the WMP form by listing the actual disposal and recycling that occurred and attached the receipts and other documents as back up. This will be required before your project can be finaled.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the WMP process will result in penalties of $5000 for construction projects and $10,000 for demolition projects, as per the Torrance Municipal Code.

If you have questions about the recycling program, please contact the Public Works Department at 1-310-781-6900. For other permit questions, please contact the Building and Safety Department at 1-310-618-5910.

C & D RECYCLING FACILITIES:

Each year, hundreds of thousands of tons of landfilled waste is construction and demolition (C&D) debris. Much of this debris can easily be recycled, and many recyclers accept C&D materials at lower prices that landfills. Some facilities can only take clean, separated materials, while others can take mixed loads and process them for recycling.

If you are using a waste hauler to remove your materials, make sure they can recycle the materials for you and will provide you with receipts. There are many waste haulers that can assist you. Please make sure they have a license to operate in Torrance. Click here for a list of licensed haulers in Torrance or contact the Public Works office at (310) 781-6916.

Looney Bins

12153 Montague Street

Pacoima, CA 91331

1-818-485-8200

Community Recycling/Crown Disposal

9147 DeGarmo Avenue

Sun Valley, CA 91352

1-818-767-6000

Bel Art Transfer Station and Recycling Center

2495 E. 68^th Street.

Long Beach, CA 90805

1-562-663-3670

Justis Waste Recycling @ BFI/Falcon Transfer

3031 East I Street

Wilmington, CA 90744

1-562-432-2268

California Waste Services

621 West 152^nd Street

Gardena, CA 90247

1-800-839-5550

Downey Area Recycling and Transfer (DART)

9770 Washburn Road

Downey, CA 90241

1-562-622-3503

Downtown Diversion

2424 E. Olympic Blvd., Bldg. 3

Los Angeles, CA 90012

1-661-810-0415

Click here to go to their website.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN REUSE ITEMS:

Habitat for Humanity Improvement Store

17700 South Figueroa

Gardena, CA 90248

1-310-323-5665

also at:

4320 Atlantic Avenue, Ste. 216

Long Beach, CA 90807

1-562-427-4663

The Reuse People of California

2100 Ferry Point #150

Alameda, CA 94501

1-888-588-9490

Click here for The Reuse People website.

MATERIALS EXCHANGE PROGRAMS:

These are free on-line or catalogue listing that allow people and businesses throughout the County and State to exchange materials for reuse.

LACoMAx, the L.A. County program, at 1-888-CLEANLA or click here to go to their webiste.

LA Shares, an exchange program for schools and businesses, at 1-213-485-1097 or click here to go to their website.

CALMAX, the State-wide program, at 1-877-520-9703 or click here to go to their website.

OTHER REFERENCES CAN BE FOUND AT:

Smart Business Recycling, a program available to all of L.A. County, at 1-800-741-9236 or click here to go to their website.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board at 1-916-341-6000 or click here to go to their website.

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