DWP Unveils the World's Largest Trash Can to Kick Off Recycling Program.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1998--The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Wednesday began a new, comprehensive waste prevention and recycling program following a kick-off event featuring the world's largest trash can.

The can, which measures 12 feet high by 9 feet in diameter, represents the amount of trash one Los Angeles County resident produces in a year, or approximately 2,400 pounds.

The hydraulically-powered can is constructed in segments, with each segment displaying the different types of waste people generate, such as packing, food and green waste, and glass. The different segments can be opened at the touch of a button.

According to research by the City of Los Angeles and the State of California, more than 80 percent of this waste can be recycled and/or composted. The potential impact of recycling also was visually demonstrated.

"If each resident recycled to the maximum," said DWP General Manager David Freeman, "the amount of trash that would actually be sent to the landfill would fill an average 3-foot-tall trash can." At that moment, with a touch of a button, a three-foot-tall trash can rose from the top of the large can.

An advocate of the mantra "re-use, reduce and recycle," Freeman was joined by General Services City Facilities Recycling Program Administrator Susana Estreller; and Administrator Felicia Marcus, Environmental Protection Agency Region IX. The Lincoln High School Marching Band, wearing baseball caps bearing the DWP "re-use, reduce, recycle" logo, provided the fanfare music.

"The recycling program is a unique opportunity for DWP management and employees to work together to make a difference in Los Angeles and the environment," said Freeman.

Estreller remarked that the department has reached a milestone with the recycling program. "Your commitment to recycling makes the city's recycling program better and stronger," said Estreller. California Assembly Bill 939 requires all cities to reduce the amount of waste disposed in landfills by 50 percent by the end of the year 2000. The department's diversion rate in 1997 was 47 percent.

The new recycling program creates more opportunities to recycle new materials, prevent waste and practice re-use. DWP employees received a re-usable plastic cup to cut down on daily plastic foam cup waste. Starting Monday, Oct. 26, plastic bags no longer will be placed into each employee's wastebasket. This change encourages employees to use the special bins, placed on each floor, to deposit "wet" waste such as food and beverage containers.

"It only takes one to two minutes per day to recycle," said Project Coordinator Mark Gentili. "The few minutes spent per day recycling will save the environment."

Beginning in January 1999, employees will "just bag it." There will be no more desk-side wastebaskets. Employees will receive a small plastic litterbag to keep at their desk. The bags, similar to an airline or car litterbag, will enable employees to deposit dry waste, such as staples, tissues, labels, napkins and neon paper.

Employees will then empty the bag into a gray trash bin.

"Consumers are very aware of corporate environmental initiatives and often make buying decisions based on this information," said Freeman. "The department's program includes elements both large and small, all of which will help move us toward our goal of 50 percent less waste by the year 2000," he said. "The department is part of the Los Angeles community and continues to strive to be the best neighbor possible."

At the close of the kick-off event Freeman, Estreller and Marcus donated reusable items to The Salvation Army.

Following the kick-off event, a recycling fair for employees was held on the A-level lobby of the DWP headquarters. Examples of re-use, reduce and recycling were on display including three TVs and VCRs playing videotapes about recycling.

For further information, contact Recycling Consultant Jennifer Pinkerton at 213/367-0446 or DWP's Recycling Coordinator Mark Gentili at 213/367-4253.