Initiative
for Community Recycling in Commercial
Buildings, Multi-Family Residences, and Public Space
Increasing
public awareness regarding the impacts of discarding potentially
recyclable materials and the impacts of using non-recyclable materials
is vital to the future welfare of our communities. Through public
education and participation, we can reduce the public amount of
material sent to our landfills and reduce the amount of improperly
discarded trash which makes its way into the ocean, improving the
cleanliness of our neighborhoods, streets and beaches.
Several communities within the Los Angeles area benefit from successful
recycling programs; however, they reach only limited sectors of the
population. Most of the cities in the greater Los Angeles area require
and/or encourage LEED certification for new construction.
Prerequisites for LEED certification prominently include storage and
collection of recyclables. Yet, these cities do not provide adequate
collection for most commercial and/or multi-family buildings.
This
initiative strives to develop an increased focus on recycling,
including education about what can be recycled and an awareness of the
negative impacts of not recycling. AIA Los Angeles
works to implement recycling programs where none currently exist, and
seeks governmental policy changes to require communities to provide the
necessary support to make these programs successful.
As one awareness tool for the profession and the public, a viable
recycling program for the AIA/Los Angeles Chapter office serves as a
catalyst and demonstration project for other offices to follow, with
the goal of 100% participation from the architectural offices
associated with AIA Los Angeles. Subsequently, this will branch out to
other sectors, such as schools, restaurants, offices and multi-family
residences. Concurrently, work continues with LA area municipalities to
establish mechanisms for the collection and disposal of the recycled
materials.
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