The Recycling and Local Assistance Branch (RLA) provides continuous technical assistance and training to public and private entities on solid waste issues and regulatory requirements and promotes individual responsibility and accountability for proper solid waste management.

Leslie King is the RLA branch manager.

The branch is comprised of three sections:

•   Recycling Assistance Section (Supervisor Fred Kirchhoff)
•   Local Assistance Section (Supervisor Chris Fitzpatrick)
•   State Government Recycling Section (Supervisor Brian Bentley)

The Recycling Assistance staff's primary function is to develop the state’s recycling infrastructure. Local Assistance staff provide counties, cities and the general public with information and support necessary to educate its citizens on proper solid waste management practices.  The State Government Recycling Section staff recovers recyclable paper from offices in Frankfort and the university system.

Kentucky has a solid waste law commonly referred to as HB 174. The law establishes priorities for proper solid waste management in Kentucky through waste reduction, recycling, proper closure of abandoned landfills, education, proper collection and disposal of solid waste, elimination of illegal open dumps and abatement of litter.