HASC recently provided testimony at a stakeholder meeting hosted by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Sanitation Bureau.  The Bureau is currently considering a plan that would potentially change the current waste collection environment for commercial properties, including hospitals, within Los Angeles.  The Bureau believes 200 million tons of recycled materials are still entering our landfills and hopes to use the new plan to divert 70 percent of this waste by 2013.

Currently, commercial properties contract with a waste hauler of their choice based on price, service and experience.  HASC has voiced opposition to a proposed scenario in which trash haulers would have to win a request for proposal issued by the Bureau of Sanitation in order to operate in newly created “waste sheds” or defined territories, essentially eliminating the current pluralistic market of competitive bidding.  The Bureau has not yet stated how many haulers will be allowed to operate in each exclusive waste shed nor has it indicated eligibility requirements for serving a particular area. 

HASC will continue to voice support for a non-exclusive franchise plan that preserves a hospital’s ability to negotiate with haulers that also meet state requirements.  Hospitals are invited to provide comment to HASC.  In addition, organizations can submit comments directly to the Department of Public Works at http://san.lacity.org/.  A staff report will be submitted to the City Council for possible action in the fall.