Recycled
Materials and Handling
Provide space
for recyclables storage near a convenient loading area.. These spaces
must be at grade or have a lift to allow roll-in and roll-out of wheeled
bins.
Recyclables storage
and handling area must be adequate for the recyclables flow from the
occupancy, assuming a 100% recovery rate over a typical period between
pickups. Assume that there will be a minimum of four recyclables:
paper, metals, plastics and glass.
A refuse and recycling
room or outdoor enclosure must comply with the requirements of the
zoning district and the following minimum design standards:
Non-Residential
Development.
- Floor area
less than 1000 sq.ft.: in refuse and recycling room four feet in
width, 4 ft. in length, and 6 ft. in height, or an equivalent space
in a centralized area; or an outdoor enclosure with the same dimensions.
- Floor area
between 1000 and 5000 sq.ft: in refuse and recycling room 5 ft.
in width, 9 ft. in length, and 8 ft. in height, or equivalent space
in a centralized area; or an outdoor enclosure with the same dimensions.
- Floor area
more than 5000 but no more than 10,000 sq.ft.: in refuse and recycling
room 9 ft. 6 in. in width, 13 ft. feet,6 in. in length, and 8 ft.
in height in a centralized area; or an outdoor enclosure with the
same dimensions.
- Floor area
more than 10,000 sq.ft. but no more than 20,000 sq.ft.: a 248 sq.ft.
refuse and recycling room; or an outdoor enclosure with 8 ft. high
walls.
The following
features are also required:
- Bins in enclosed
areas require exhaust ventilation.
- Food and beverage
container storage areas should include durable flooring materials
suitable for wheeled bins, wash-down, a hose-bib and a floor drain.
- Offices should
have a white paper area separate from other paper waste.
- Retail occupancies
and restaurants should provide for cardboard, bottle and can collection.
- Provide a small,
well-lit bulletin board in the recycling area for posting of solid
waste reduction and recycling information.
- Materials recyclable
in the Los Angeles region include:
- fine paper
- waste paper
- cardboard
- metals
- plastics
- glass
- garden waste
Building operators
should be trained to provide guidance for building occupants and ensure
regular emptying and cleaning of the area. Recyclables separation
instructions should be posted in universal symbols and several languages.
For retail and
office projects over 30,000 sq.ft. provide space, truck access, mechanical
and electrical connections for paper and cardboard baling equipment.
Balers reduce volume by several times and ease handling of large materials
quantities. They also increase the value of the recyclable material
to the buyer.
Cautions
- Garden waste
should include only grass and shrub cuttings, branches, leaves and
similar waste. Food waste should be individually managed due to
problems with odor, rodents and flies.
- Baling facilities
must be compatible with local recyclables collection services, state
and local laws.
- A trained operator
is required for correct separation and safe operation of baling
equipment.
