Managing L.A.'s Mounting Waste Flow

Director Rita Robinson discusses the Bureau of Sanitation's pursuit of a cleaner, greener, and landfill-free L.A.

2 minute read

July 22, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The task of dealing with some of Los Angeles' most unpleasant realities falls to the Bureau of Sanitation. Even while faced with growing amounts of waste, tougher and tougher federal and local environmental regulations, and constant public resistance to necessary projects, the L.A. Bureau of Sanitation engenders a sense of progress, cooperation, and success. In order to better understand this crucial city department's knack for dealing with unpleasant challenges, the Metro Investment Report was pleased to speak with Rita Robinson, director of the L.A. Bureau of Sanitation."

"One of the key projects that we're looking at is the diversion of the solid waste to renewable energy and green power by 2010. We released an RFP in February of this year from commercial facilities to be able to do 200 to 1,000 tons per day. That RFP is already out on the street, and the responses are due by August of this year. We've had a tremendous amount of interest in the initial RFP briefing. A number of companies are forming partnerships to make sure that they have a viable proposal to bring to the city."

"Our goal is to be a landfill-free city in the future. As we look out over our five-year plan, we continue to build in that vein. Some of the short-term things we're looking at: the city still has the legal authority to send bio-solids to Kern County even though there is a real impact on that community, so we're diversifying as much as we can..."

Thanks to James Brasuell

Friday, June 29, 2007 in The Metro Investment Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Mobile home park at dusk.

Poor Conditions in Mobile Home Parks Put Residents at Risk

Failing infrastructure, poor water and air quality, and predatory owners endanger the health of manufactured home residents, many of whom are elderly and low-income.

May 11 - Next City

Complete Streets

How Complete Streets Stands to Lose in the FY26 ‘Skinny Budget’

The President’s proposed budget could cut key resources for active transportation, public transit, and road safety programs.

May 11 - Transportation for America

Historic Dairy Queen restaurant building with neon signs at night.

Dairy Queen and Rural Third Places

Dozens of Dairy Queen restaurants across Texas are closing, taking a critical community space with them.

May 11 - The Daily Yonder

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.