On Saturday, March 23, the 6th annual free Community Recycling/Clean Up kicks off in front of the L.A. Sentinel office (off Crenshaw and Coliseum) from 9:00am-3:00pm. The line of automobiles starts at Bronson & Coliseum. This free event offers the community a chance to get rid of all those items that require specialized disposal and recycling. The Clean-Up is a drive-thru only, allowing the community the opportunity to drop off items without leaving the comfort of their vehicles.
Mothers in Action, Taste of Soul and their community partners have come together to make the annual event a success for the past 5 years. Every year, hundreds of community members come to shred sensitive documents, recycle electronics, tires and responsibly dispose of hazardous, unwanted waste at no cost. Free paper shredding services are only available 9:00am – 12:30pm.
“I am happy to be able to dispose of unwanted articles from my home and clean out my garage,” said B. Richards at a past Community Recycling/Clean Up.
The Community Clean Up is well organized and received by residents, bringing in nearly 1,000 community members. This annual event helps prevent dumping in the community and depends on the support of its sponsors. Voter registration opportunities will be available as well.
Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood Development Council (ECWA), who has been a proud sponsor of the event in the past, returns for this highly anticipated event. Other sponsors include: Taste of Soul, L.A. Sentinel Newspaper, L.A. Watts Times, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, LA Council President Herb Wesson, Brotherhood Crusade, City National Bank, Holman UMC, Ashley Stewart, Copy City, Denny’s, L.A. Sanitation, L.A. Conservation Corps, Public Works and Shred-It USA.
Some of the permitted items include: paints, automotive fluids, cleaning products, pool and garden chemicals, aerosol cans, unused medicine, auto and household batteries, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, mercury – containing gadgets and SHARPS (needles, syringes, capsules, lancets, endo files, prefilled pens, etc.) electronic materials will be accepted as well including: computers, printers, cables, telephones, televisions, microwaves, video games, cell phones, radios, VCRs and electronic toys.
There are some materials that will not be accepted at the event such as: business waste, containers over 5 gallons in size, ammunition, explosives, asbestos, construction waste, fireworks, furniture, radioactive material, biological waste or tires, refrigerators, washing machines/ dryers, conventional ovens, paper or computer software. Shredding confidential documents will take place between 9am-12: 30pm and only two (33 gallon) trash bags per customer. Please have papers loose in bags and ready to be shredded. Empowerment Congress has sponsored the shredding services by the West area for the 4th year.
The importance of events like this can’t be understated as it ensures safe harbors, beaches and drinking water. The trash and household waste that are irresponsibly disposed of, goes through the storm drains directly into beaches and drinking water which affects the entire ecosystem. As the South Los Angeles area welcomes new restaurants, businesses, and more waste, it is becoming important for residents to keep the community clean.
Residents can go to www.lacitysan.org or call 1-800-773-2489 for information on S.A.F.E. (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables/electronics) collection centers located from Central Los Angeles to East Valley to dispose their items.
The drive-thru line for the free Community Recycling/Clean Up starts at Bronson and Coliseum. For more information, call (323) 290-0456 or email Tracy Mitchell at [email protected].
