2000 Trash Cutter Award Program Case Studies

Los Angeles County: Best Innovative Program

• Program Description
• Contact

Program Description

Every year the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confiscates thousands of firearms. State law (Penal Code section 12028) requires law enforcement agencies to destroy these weapons in July of each year. In 1993 the County partnered with TAMCO Steel, the only steel mill in California, and initiated "Project Isaiah," a gun collection and recycling effort aimed at converting seized weapons into useful products for the community. The project takes its name from the biblical passage that calls for swords to be beaten into plowshares. For the past seven years these weapons have been melted down and recycled at TAMCO's steel mill in Rancho Cucamonga.

In 1999 Project Isaiah assured that more than 14,000 seized firearms would never again be used to harm anyone, while also recycling over 35,600 pounds of material from those firearms. All of the confiscated firearms were recycled into steel reinforcing bars (rebar), which were used for local construction. The guns make an excellent feedstock for rebar because of their high nickel and chrome content. Projects that have made use of this recycled steel reinforcing bar include the repair of earthquake-damaged freeways in Northern and Southern California, the Staples Center arena in downtown Los Angeles, and the Alameda Corridor Project.

For Further Information, Contact:

Los Angeles County
900 South Fremont Ave.
Alhambra, CA 91803-1331
(626) 458-5167
www.888CleanLA.com