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Trash & Recycling Fun: Sanitation Yard Open Houses for Kids Who Love Garbage Trucks

Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment
4/24/19 - By Toby B

Vroom Vroom! Does the sound of the garbage truck coming down the street send your kids running to watch? Spring kicks off city yard open houses and recycling fair season, and these events are hugely popular with kids of a certain age. If your kiddos have any curiosity about what goes on in a garbage truck, this is their chance to satisfy it, at one of the most eagerly awaited free activities in LA. Public tours (also detailed below) are often available throughout the year (call first); but the spring open houses are a must-do for little one who live for the roar of the garbage truck.

Tours

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
1955 Workman Mill Road
Whittier 90601
(562) 908-4288 ext. 2301
The SDLAC schedules public tours of the Puente Hills Landfill in June and October. Watch the website for the schedule, which will be out soon. Schools and other groups can schedule their own tours of both the landfill and San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant.

Burbank Recycle Center
500 S Flower Street
Burbank, CA 91502
(818)238-3900
Want to see where the recyclables go in Burbank? You'll have to call and ask about taking a tour, as there isn't a formal schedule announced, but do put it on your to-do list. Those who have taken the opportunity to look around praise the site and the employees.

Simi Valley Landfill
2801 Madera Road
Simi Valley 93065
(805) 579-7267
Please note:  Landfill tours are on hold until further notice due to a project at the site. Waste Management's Simi Valley Landfill offers school and other group tours approximately 6 days each month. Due to the popularity of these tours, groups must pre-register at least 2 months in advance. Groups also visit the Pollinator Garden. Minimum group size is 20; no individual tours are given. 

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Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment

Seasonal Open Houses

LA Sanitation & Environment West Valley Yard Open House

Northridge— May 18, 2019
Here's your chance to see the city's trash trucks up close! Kids can honk the horns, take a ride, see the maintenance facilities, and enjoy a free lunch. READ MORE

LA Sanitation & Environment North Central Yard Open House

Lincoln Heights— June 1, 2019
The Bureau of Sanitation Open House might not seem like everyone's idea of a fun Saturday, but to kids who are intrigued by garbage trucks it's a real hoot. And you might even go home with a fruit or shade tree. READ MORE

LA Sanitation & Environment South Los Angeles Yard Open House

Exposition Park—June 8, 2019
Keep on truckin'...  to the Open House event at LA Sanitation's South LA District Yard. Sanitation truck operators give demonstrations and tours; guests can tour facilities and enjoy information booths, recycling games, and a free lunch. READ MORE

LA Sanitation & Environment Harbor Yard Open House

San Pedro—June 22, 2019
The wildly popular Sanitation Yard Open Houses return!  This weekend the Harbor Yard invites families to see the trucks, facilities, and enjoy a free lunch at the smallest sanitation yard in Los Angeles. Sanitation truck operators give demonstrations and tours, and guests can learn about residential recycling through fun family-friendly games. READ MORE

LA Sanitation & Environment West LA Yard Open House

Sawtelle/ West LA —June 29, 2019
Last chance to get your trash on: it’s the last of the hugely popular Sanitation Yard open houses, this week at the West LA District Yard.  READ MORE

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