Materials Management

Materials management in the realm of environmental stewardship refers to the application of sustainable practices and principles in managing materials to minimize adverse environmental impacts. It involves considering the entire life cycle of materials, from extraction or production to disposal or recycling, with the aim of reducing resource consumption, waste generation, and environmental pollution.

Organic Waste Program

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one-third of the U.S. food supply goes to waste. Food waste recovery organization, ReFED, estimates that food waste emissions/greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from landfills are equivalent to that of 72 coal-burning power plants.

The passage of Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) in September 2016 imposed statewide targets to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by January 1, 2025 (based on 2014 levels) and recover at least 20% of currently disposed edible food for human consumption by 2025. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) finalized and adopted SB 1383 guidelines in November 2020 with the approval of the Office of Administrative Law.

As a result, the City of Pico Rivera amended its waste contract with NASA Services to implement an organic waste diversion program aimed at reducing organic waste to comply with SB 1383’s food recovery mandates and significantly reduce food waste in the state of California.

The Organic Waste Programs include, but are not limited to, Single Family Green Waste Collection, Single Family Food Waste Collection, a Holiday Tree Collection Program, a Commercial Organics Waste Diversion Program, Composting Workshops, and Container Inspection Methods.

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Illegal Dumping

The fine for illegally dumping items can be very high and is not worth the risk.
Anything left on the curb without a scheduled pickup through NASA Services will be treated as illegal dumping.

Illegal dumping is the placement of unwanted items in locations other than the owner’s trash or recycling containers. You often see commonly dumped items, such as mattresses, couches, dressers, televisions, bags of trash, etc. at the curb, on the sidewalk or parkway (strip between curb and sidewalk), in the street, or on even your own or someone else’s property. Storing such items on private property in public view is also illegal according to Pico Rivera, California Municipal Code 8.12.460.

If you have a bulky-item or items that need to be picked up, please call NASA Services at 888.888.0388 for a Bulky Item Pick-up request.

Report Illegal Dumping

Contact our Code Division at (562) 801-4413 if you witness a dumping incident.

Be sure to note information like a description of the person, the specific address they came from or returned to, the vehicle’s make/model/color if applicable, and the precise dumping location. You may remain anonymous, but providing as much detail as possible will expedite the process.

Discourage Illegal Dumping

Nicely landscaping the parkway in front of your property with plants or rocks will often cause a dumper to look elsewhere.
Placing a visible sign near your carts/cans or trash enclosure may repel a dumper. Effective signs include: “Security,” “This area video monitored,” or “No Dumping Allowed!”
Lighting is important! Motion detector lights are recommended for your property and trash enclosure area, and streetlamps should be in working order. To report a street light problem, visit the Virtual City Hall Service Request page to initiate a repair.
Talk with your neighbors! Collaborate to watch for unusual activity in your neighborhood.

Illegal Roll-Off Bins

In March of 2023, an ordinance prohibiting unauthorized waste containers, also known as roll-off bins, went into effect. The ordinance provides Staff and respective contractors with the authority to enforce provisions and procedures related to removing unauthorized waste containers within the City.
The ordinance provides two (2) options the public can use for waste removal and diversion: 1) Contract directly with NASA Services, or 2) Self-haul under specific circumstances.
There are various benefits this ordinance brings to the City:
- Quality of Life: The ordinance addresses the unsightliness of unkept containers which can contribute to preserving property values and be a source of community pride.
- Health and Safety: The ordinance aims to create safety by properly placing the containers or allowing City staff to review and recommend the proper placement of said containers.
- Compliance with State Regulations: Ensures compliance with State regulations and improves the City’s ability to meet State diversion goals.

Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is any product labeled: toxic, poisonous, combustible, corrosive, flammable, or irritant that is disposed of. A typical home can contain an array of household hazardous products for cleaning, painting, beautifying, lubricating, and disinfecting the house, yard, workshop, and garage. The health and safety of our families, neighborhoods, and environment is threatened when household hazardous waste is stored or disposed of improperly.

The chemical-based household products from a single home may seem insignificant; but when millions of homes across the community use similar products – handling, storing, and disposing of them improperly – the combined effect becomes a major problem. Our community and the environment are endangered when these products are discarded in household garbage, sinks, or storm drains.

The County of Los Angles holds a variety of HHW and electronic waste collection events year around throughout Los Angeles County. Please see link for upcoming event dates, times, and locations. https://pw.lacounty.gov/general/enotifyCalendar/Calendar.aspx