What LA’s Trash Problem Reveals About Its Streets

About this episode

The episode explores how Los Angeles's trash problem reflects broader issues of urban planning and city services.

While Los Angeles gets ready for the Olympics and World Cup, residents watch trash pile up in the places tourists never see. Chuck, Norm, and Carlee trace the links between auto‑oriented growth, a strained city budget, and basic services that can’t keep up. Through one neighborhood organizer’s Saturday cleanups, they show how garbage exposes which streets are truly cared for. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES "Talking Trash" by Alissa Walker, Torched.la (February 2026) Chuck Marohn (LinkedIn) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Carlee Alm-LaBar (LinkedIn) Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom. This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

People in this episode

Hosts: Chuck Marohn, Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Carlee Alm-LaBar

Topics covered

• urban planning
• waste management
• community engagement
• infrastructure
• city services
• auto-oriented growth

Keywords

• Los Angeles
• trash
• Olympics
• World Cup
• city budget
• auto-oriented growth
• neighborhood cleanups

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Strong Towns, Torched.la

Books & works: "Talking Trash"

Places: Los Angeles

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