The resources we rely on—water, energy, materials, and land—are finite, and their use must be carefully managed to ensure a sustainable, equitable future. To advance this goal, LA County must reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and manage materials across their entire life cycle, from extraction and consumption to recovery and reuse.
To achieve this, the County will reduce waste generation at its source, expand access to reuse and repair opportunities, support circularity, divert recyclable and compostable materials from landfills, and build out regional capacity for organic waste processing. These efforts are guided by LA County’s Zero Waste Plan and align with state legislation, including Senate Bill (SB) 1383, which mandates organic waste reduction and food recovery, and SB 54, which requires producers to reduce single-use plastic packaging and ensure recyclability or compostability by 2032.
Water and energy conservation are equally critical. The County will implement strong water-saving measures and reduce building energy
consumption through design improvements, efficiency upgrades, and behavioral change. These strategies support a shift toward a circular economy, where resources are kept in use longer, environmental impacts are minimized, and new green jobs and innovation are encouraged. Water and energy conservation may also lower utility bills and lower the burden of overall housing costs.
This life-cycle approach also helps identify and correct inequities in resource use and environmental burden. Although higher-income households tend to use more water, energy, and materials, lower-income communities often bear the brunt of this high resource use, whether through disproportionately high utility costs, illegal dumping and proximity to landfills, and the impacts of climate change. By embracing integrated, regional solutions and centering equity, LA County can reduce resource consumption, lower emissions, and improve the quality of life for all residents.
| Baseline | Progress | 2030 Target | 2035 Target | 2045 Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countywide | County residents and businesses generated 6 pounds of waste per person per day in 2017 Source: CalRecycle Disposal Reporting System |
County residents |
Decrease by 25% overall per capita waste generation |
Decrease by 30% overall per capita waste generation |
Decrease by 35% overall per capita waste generation |
| Countywide | Potable water demand in 2017 was 116 gallons per capita per day Source: Metropolitan |
Potable water demand in 2023 was 103 gallons per capita per day |
Per capita potable water demand does not exceed 90 gallons per day |
Per capita potable water demand does not exceed 80 gallons per day |
Per capita potable water demand does not exceed 70 gallons per day |
| Unincorporated | 65% of waste diverted from landfills in 2017 Source: Countrywide Integrated Waste Management Plan, Annual Reports |
65% of waste was diverted from landfills in 2021 |
80% of waste is diverted from landfills |
90% of waste is diverted from landfills |
More than 95% of waste is diverted from landfills |
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