Future planning is critical to ensuring that the City and County of Los Angeles can manage solid waste in the short term and long term.
Landfill Lifespan:
Assuming current disposal rates, Sunshine Canyon Landfill will remain open until 2037:
- Current average: 8,900 – 9,500 tons of trash per day, Monday through Friday
- Permitted for: 12,100 tons per day
- Landfill nears capacity: 2037
- Waste-to-Energy plant: Planned by 2012; this will help extend the life of the landfill beyond 2037 should it be necessary.
Space is calculated by volume, with 1.7 cubic yards equaling one ton of trash. Projections of capacity are tied to how tightly the trash is compacted. The more tightly the trash can be compacted, the more capacity the site will have.
AB939 Requirements:
Sunshine Canyon Landfill helps Los Angeles County meet the two primary components of AB939.
- Jurisdictions must recycle at increasing levels with a goal of 50 percent diversion by the year 2000. Future goals could be as high as 75 percent diversion. At Sunshine Canyon Landfill, we offer recycling of various materials, such as bottles, cans, green waste, and wood.
- Municipalities must ensure there’s a place where non-recycled material can be disposed, both short-term and long-term. Sunshine Canyon Landfill provides that place for many cities in Los Angeles County.
Take a look at the challenges and alternatives of future waste disposal.
