Update on Advocacy Issue: Recycling Chutes in Multi-Family & Commercial Buildings

In April 2009, the Sustainability Committee wrote a letter of support to City Council regarding the proposed ordinance to require recycling chutes in multi-family and commercial buildings.

Here's an update on the progress of that proposed ordinance:
In July 2009, the Energy and Environment Committee have decided to continue the discussion at later date - TBD. As we hear more, we'll let you know how it progresses.

http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=08-0603
http://ens.lacity.org/clk/committeeagend/clkcommitteeagend256261430_07212009.pdf

Our Role as Neighborhood Advocates: Energy Block Grants

Via an email request, the Los Angeles Convention Center asked the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council to support their application for the Energy Block Grant. This funding is available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. At our July 2009 meeting, the Sustainability Committee discussed and agreed to bring a letter of support to our upcoming Board of Director's meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 (6:30pm at the Los Angeles Theater).

The Los Angeles Convention Center has made significant strides to improve their operations and overall efficiency. As a large stakeholder downtown, we agreed that it was important to support the Convention Center as they hope to "enhance the LACC's environmental stewardship, environmental education, energy conservation, and other environmental programs." We believe these goals are in line with the mission of the Sustainability Committee - and look forward to engaging as they implement these initiatives downtown.

Here is the proposed letter of support - to be voted on at the next Board of Directors meeting.

UPDATE: Letter approved by the Board of Directors (July 2009) and to be forwarded to City of Los Angeles.

Letter of Support: Proposed Recycling Chute Ordinance

April 29, 2009

Dear Councilmembers Garcetti, Huizar and Perry,

On behalf of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council and the community of stakeholders we represent, we would like to encourage your support for the proposed ordinance to amend Section 12.03 and Subsection A of Subdivision 19 of Section 12.21 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code to include definitions and regulations for recycling chutes and areas in multi-family and commercial buildings throughout the City. This ordinance will provide residents and businesses more convenient options for recycling and divert unnecessary waste from landfills in and around Los Angeles.

The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council supports this initiative as it supports the goal of diverting 75% of solid waste by 2013 as mandated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles City Council. While this ordinance does not address the challenges of waste generation, it will provide residents and businesses in the city the opportunity to make better choices when disposing of their waste.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to seeing this ordinance come before the City Council and hope you will agree to support this update to the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

Check out the latest on this proposed ordinance.