The City of La Palma frequently receives phone calls from residents concerned about household recycling. Although residents are not provided with separate barrels, please be assured that the City does recycle.  All solid waste collected in the City of La Palma is sent to a solid waste material recovery facility (MRF) that sorts and removes recyclables. The recyclable materials are then sold, which helps to off-set the cost of the sorting process. The remaining solid waste is disposed of in lawful manner, usually at a landfill.  Using this method the City of La Palma has obtained one of the highest trash diversion rates in Orange County.

Year	Calculated Diversion Rate
2002	50%
2003	53%
2004	54%
2005	47%
2006	68%
*- Preliminary numbers; subject to approval by the California Integrated Waste Management Board

La Palma residents have several convenient options for recycling and redeeming CRV bottles and cans. The primary place to recycle beverage containers is a certified recycling center.  There are approximately 2,100 certified recycling centers located throughout the state.  To find the nearest location to redeem your CRV beverage containers (5 cents for containers under 24 ounces and 10 cents for containers 24 ounces and larger) please visit www.bottlesandcans.com, or call the Department of Conservation toll-free hotline at 1-800-RECYCLE.

Residents that do not want to redeem their bottles and cans for cash, can simple place them in their household trash and the City's waste hauler will remove the recyclables at a Material Recovery Facility (MRF).

The City offers residents a free local Universal Waste Recycling Program for household batteries and fluorescent light bulbs, including compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s). The program is funded by a grant from the County of Orange, in partnership with the Cities of Cypress, Los Alamitos, and Stanton. Residents can drop-off all household batteries (no vehicle batteries) at La Palma City Hall.  However, all fluorescent light bulbs must be recycled at one of the following participating commercial locations:
 

Should you have any additional questions regarding this local universal waste recycling program, please contact the recycling coordinator at (714) 229-6747.

Additionally, residents can still dispose of other household hazardous waste products at the Orange County Collection Center located at 1071 N. Blue Gum Street , Anaheim, near the junction of the 91 and 57 freeways. For more information regarding the County's program visit www.oclandfills.com or call (714) 834-6752.

State law now prohibits the disposal of medical sharp waste (syringes, needles, and lancets) in the normal trash system.  Previously, the City had a mailback sharps disposal program, but it was suspended for lack of funding.  The City is currently researching other disposal options.  In the meantime, residents can dispose of medical sharp waste, at one of the regional Orange County Collection Centers located at 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, Anaheim, near the junction of the 91 and 57 freeways. Place the sharp waste materials in a sturdy plastic container, preferably a designated bio-hazard medical waste container and bring the items to the collection center.  For more information regarding the County's disposal program visit www.oclandfills.com or call (714) 834-6752.

Do you change your car's motor oil? Did you know that State-certified used oil collection centers will take your used motor oil and will even pay you 16¢ a gallon?  When you take your used oil to a certified center for recycling, you are protecting the environment, conserving a valuable resource, and getting paid for it. That's a winning combination!  There is one catch. Certified center managers will not accept used motor oil that has been contaminated with other fluids such as antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or water. So please, don't mix your used oil with anything.  To find the closest used oil collection center visit the California Integrated Waste Management Board used oil recycling website or call (800) CLEANUP.

Additionally, the City of La Palma has a limited number of used oil collection/storage containers available to residents at no charge. You may pick up a free container at City Hall, while supplies last.