L.A. County’s Second-Largest Waste Site Shuts Down January 1
On December 31, 2024, Waste Connections Inc. announced the permanent closure of Chiquita Canyon Landfill, ending its 52-year operation in the Santa Clarita Valley. The closure follows an uncontrollable chemical reaction that caused underground fires, noxious odors, and hazardous liquid geysers at the 639-acre facility. The shutdown of Los Angeles County’s second-largest landfill, which previously handled one-third of the region’s waste, forces officials to redirect approximately 2 million tons of annual waste to alternative facilities.
5 Key Points
- Underground chemical reactions caused extreme heat and noxious gases, affecting nearby communities.
- The facility processed one-third of L.A. County’s total waste before closure.
- Waste will be diverted to Simi Valley and Antelope Valley landfills.
- Chemical reactions in the dormant section could persist for years.
- The county supervisor will introduce the motion on January 7, assessing the environmental and financial implications.
Underground Chemical Reaction Forces Emergency Response
The shutdown follows nearly two years of escalating environmental concerns at the 639-acre facility. The chemical reaction deep within a closed landfill section generated temperatures high enough to roast decades-old garbage and damage gas control systems. This damage allowed foul-smelling gases to drift into the neighboring communities of Val Verde and Castaic. The situation worsened when pressure buildup created hazardous conditions, including geysers of liquid waste bursting to the surface and white smoke seeping through long fissures in the ground.
County Officials Implement Waste Diversion Strategy
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger confirmed the county anticipated this closure and has already redirected waste to Simi Valley and Antelope Valley facilities. “I’m committed to ensuring that this transition doesn’t lead to any form of price gouging or unfair practices in waste management services,” Barger said. The supervisor plans to introduce a motion at the January 7 Board of Supervisors meeting directing Public Works to assess the closure’s environmental and financial implications. Public Works Director Mark Pestrella emphasized, “We will ensure there are no disruptions to trash collection services in our unincorporated communities and will work closely with the City of Santa Clarita.”
Community Impact Drives Resident Exodus
The environmental crisis has severely affected nearby residents, who filed thousands of odor complaints with the local air district. Sarah Olaguez, who lived in Val Verde for five years before relocating in April 2024, described how families attempted to cope by staying indoors, running air purifiers, and wearing gas masks outdoors. “It’s going to have ripple effects for everyone surrounding the landfill for a very long time,” Olaguez said. At least a dozen of her neighbors have also abandoned their homes due to the persistent health concerns, including breathing difficulties, nausea, headaches, and heart palpitations reported at local air district meetings.
Long-term Environmental Challenges Persist
The landfill’s closure will not immediately resolve the underground chemical reaction, which L.A. County Public Works warns could continue for years in the dormant section. The agency has expressed concerns about increased pollution from longer waste transportation routes and potential fee increases for disposal services. Steve Cassulo, the landfill’s manager, acknowledged these challenges in his letter to regulators: “Although Chiquita has available [capacity], due to the regulatory environment, maintaining ongoing operations at Chiquita is no longer economically viable.”
FAQ
Q: What will happen to L.A. County’s waste now that Chiquita Canyon is closed?
A: L.A. County has already begun diverting waste to Simi Valley and Antelope Valley facilities. Officials report no increase in tonnage at Sylmar’s Sunshine Canyon Landfill, which currently accepts the most waste annually in the county.
Q: How long will the chemical reaction continue at Chiquita Canyon?
A: According to L.A. County Public Works, the chemical reaction occurring in the dormant section of the landfill could persist for years, even after the facility’s closure.
Q: What health issues have residents reported from the landfill’s emissions?
A: Residents near the landfill have reported difficulty breathing, nausea, headaches, and heart palpitations. They described odors like rotten eggs from sulfur-based emissions and burning garbage and plastic.
Q: How much of L.A. County’s waste did Chiquita Canyon handle?
A: The landfill typically accepts about 2 million tons of solid waste annually, which represents approximately one-third of all garbage disposed of in L.A. County.
Q: Will waste management costs increase for residents?
A: County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has pledged to prevent price gouging and unfair practices in waste management services. However, Public Works has warned that transporting garbage to more distant facilities could result in higher fees.
Q: What measures are in place to prevent disruption of trash collection services?
A: L.A. County Public Works has committed to ensuring uninterrupted trash collection in unincorporated communities and is working with the City of Santa Clarita to maintain service continuity.
Citations
Tony Briscoe (December 31, 2024). Chiquita Canyon Landfill will no longer accept trash in 2025. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-12-31/chiquita-canyon-landfill-will-no-longer-accept-trash-in-2025
