HASC testified before a joint meeting of the Los Angeles City Council’s Energy & Environment and Ad Hoc on Waste Reduction and Recycling Committees regarding the proposed plan to implement a city-wide franchise system for trash removal.

HASC believes the proposed arrangement, under which hospital-generated solid and recycling waste streams would be managed by a private hauler contracted by the City of Los Angeles – Bureau of Sanitation, will impede a hospital’s ability to negotiate a contract or sole source agreement with a hauler of its choice that can deliver on price and service. This ordinance also comes at a time when hospitals are being asked under the Accountable Care Act to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

The Joint Committee will reconvene on April 17 and it is expected to include a discussion on whether to exclude hospital-generated solid and recycling waste streams from the exclusive franchise.

Hospitals located within the city of Los Angeles are encouraged to attend the April 17 hearing. Councilmembers who make up the Joint Committee are: Councilmembers Huizar, Zine, Alarcon, Koretz, Krekorian and LaBonge. Hospitals in these council districts are encouraged to share their concerns regarding the complexity of hospitals, which are distinctly different from other businesses/offices from a public health perspective.

Download the preliminary report.

Contact: Jaime Garcia
(213) 538-0702, jgarcia@hasc.org