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Caption: (photos by E. Mesiyah McGinnis and CD 10)
3 – Hundreds of people brought in old batteries to be discarded. (E. Mesiyah McGinnis/L.A. Sentinel)
4 – Computers, printers and other electronics were accepted. (E. Mesiyah McGinnis/L.A. Sentinel)
On a bright Saturday morning, the bustling Crenshaw Boulevard was filled with the hum of cars as hundreds of Los Angeles residents lined up in front of the Los Angeles Sentinel for the community’s Community Recycling Clean Up Event.
Hosted by Mothers In Action (MIA), the event provided a critical opportunity for local residents to properly dispose of hazardous waste and recycled items—an initiative vital to the health and sustainability of underserved communities.
“This is our 8th year of Community Cleanup. We have a lot of people bringing tires today; they’re doing paper shredding, e-waste, medication, and batteries,” said MIA President Tracy Mitchell.
The drive-through event allowed individuals to discard everything from old electronics and batteries to motor oil, paint, and even tires. By the time the event ended, over 1,000 people had participated, turning out in droves to safely dispose of sensitive documents, medications, and other household hazards that might otherwise sit in their garages or basements, endangering both their families and the environment.
The event also helped the broader community by allowing residents to recycle toxic items like gasoline, paint thinners, pesticides, and even fluorescent light bulbs, all of which require special care to prevent contamination of our environment.
“This community clean up served not only as a way for residents to properly discard unwanted items but also gave us the opportunity to further safeguard and preserve our community for generations to come,” said Councilwoman Heather Hutt.
“As Councilwoman, I’m proud that the city can come together with our non-profit partners, like Mothers In Action, and create events that our constituents need.”
An army of volunteers and community partners supported Mothers In Action including Council District 10, LA Sanitation, Clean Harbors, LA Conservation Corps, and LAPD South Traffic, all worked tirelessly to make the event a success.
Mitchell echoed the sentiment of collective action, noting, “The line never stopped from the time we opened at 9am. We had to cut off the line at 2:45pm because there were 50 cars in the island waiting to be served, and there were several others in the line before the island entrance. We served over 1,000 residents today.”
Explaining why he volunteered his services, LAPD Officer Kevin Payne said, “LAPD and Southwest traffic love a clean community, and that’s why we’re here. We support a clean L.A.”
His colleague Officer Brandon Pollard, shared similar comments, saying, “[I’m] just happy to be out here. Whenever you’re helping the community, it’s a good event.”
The impact of such community-driven efforts extends beyond the physical act of recycling. The event fosters unity, inspires civic responsibility, and builds social capital in neighborhoods that need it most. It is a reminder that no matter the size of the task, collective action can make a monumental difference. Residents, volunteers, and partners alike came together to ensure that the waste was properly recycled and that everyone’s efforts contributed to a cleaner, greener Los Angeles.
“Offering community cleanup events in this community is immensely convenient and helpful. It makes me want to recycle more often,” resident Shelly Allen said.
Sylvia Barnes added, “I want to make sure there’s something for my children and I don’t want it destroyed. So, if you give a place to dispose of waste, we’ll do it. It’s important for the community.
“To the people who make this event happen, thank you. You are appreciated!”
Staff Writer E. Mesiyah McGinnis contributed to this article.
