City of Lawndale, CA, CA

Reducing Your Waste Line: A Practical Guide for Lawndale Residents

Every day, the average American throws away nearly five pounds of trash. Much of that waste is organic material that can be composted or recovered instead of being buried in landfills. California's SB 1383 was enacted to help change that by reducing organic waste disposal, cutting methane emissions, and rescuing edible food for people in need. 

📉 Understanding SB 1383 and Its Impact

Effective statewide, SB 1383 mandates a 75% reduction in organic waste sent to landfills by 2025. This includes food scraps, yard trimmings, and paper products. Additionally, the law requires the recovery of at least 20% of edible food that would otherwise be discarded.

For residents, this means participating in local organic waste collection programs and properly sorting waste into designated bins.

💰 Save Money by Reducing Waste

In Lawndale, your trash service fee is determined by the size of your black trash container. As of January 1, 2026, the quarterly residential rates are:

• 35-gallon cart: $85.80

• 65-gallon cart: $102.00

• 95-gallon cart: $118.20

Residents aged 65 and older are eligible for a 15% discount on refuse services lawndale.ca.gov.

By reducing your waste, you can downsize to a smaller container, potentially lowering your fees.

✅Tips to Reduce Waste and Save Money

Right-Size Your Trash Service
If your black trash container is consistently less than full on collection day, you may be able to reduce your service level and lower your monthly bill.

Recycle More ♻️
Place clean paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles and jars, and accepted plastic containers in your blue recycling cart. If you need more recycling capacity, additional blue recycling carts are available at no additional charge.

Keep Food Scraps Out of the Trash 🌱
Place food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings, leaves, and grass clippings in your green organics cart. Recycling organic waste helps reduce methane emissions and supports California's SB 1383 goals.

Take Advantage of Free Bulky Item Collection 🛋️
Lawndale residents receive six free bulky item collections each year. Each pickup may include up to six bulky items or up to 10 bags of yard waste, making it easy to dispose of large household items responsibly instead of placing them at the curb or in the trash.

Reduce Waste Before You Throw It Away 🛍️
Choose reusable shopping bags, refillable water bottles, and durable products whenever possible. Donating usable clothing, furniture, and household goods also helps keep valuable materials out of landfills.

📞 Need Assistance?

To change your trash container size or request additional recycling bins, contact Republic Services at (800) 299-4898.

For more information on Lawndale's trash and recycling services, visit Lawndale Trash & Recycling.

Every small action makes a difference. By reducing waste, recycling properly, and separating organic materials, you help protect the environment, support California's SB 1383 goals, and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable Lawndale.