puente hills landfill puente hills landfill

PUENTE HILLS
LANDFILL
DISCOVER HOW THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES ARE KEEPING NEIGHBORHOODS CLEANER AND GREENER
PEOPLE SAY, “SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IS A DIRTY BUSINESS.”
WE SAY, “RUBBISH.”
YESTERDAY’S DISPOSAL SITE.
GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY.
Even the name sounds dirty.
The Puente Hills Landfill has been owned and operated by
And indeed, in the old days,
the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (Sanitation Districts)
disposing of solid waste was
since 1970. Beyond managing the sanitary disposal of solid waste,
a
the Sanitation Districts are committed to being a good neighbor to its
“dirty
business”
with
few environmental or health
surrounding communities.
regulations in place to protect
the public. Thankfully things
THIS COMMITMENT IS UPHELD BY:
have changed… in a big way.
• keeping neighborhoods clean
There is no better example of
• providing protection systems for groundwater and air quality
this
• generating electricity and clean burning vehicle fuel
than
Landfill,
the
a
Puente
reliable,
Hills
clean,
• managing innovative materials recovery and recycling programs
environmentally sound and cost effective operation dedicated to
• protecting the value of nearby properties
the safe, state-of-the-art management of solid waste.
• acquiring and maintaining local native habitat for recreational use
Long Haul Rail
Entrance to Puente Hills Landfill
WORKING TOGETHER,
KEEPING NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE.
The Sanitation Districts are made up of a
partnership of 23 independent special
districts serving about 5.7 million people in
Los Angeles County. The service area
covers approximately 820 square miles and
encompasses 78 cities and unincorporated
territory with the county. The comprehensive
solid waste management system is comprised
of three active sanitary landfills, two recycle
centers, three transfer/materials recovery
facilities, and three landfill gas-to-energy
facilities. The Districts also maintain three
closed sanitary landfill sites and, through joint
venture agreements, participate in the
operation of two refuse-to-energy facilities.
Groundwater Sampling
A highly qualified group of individuals
staff the Sanitation Districts. The roster includes
engineers,
environmental
monitoring
technicians, recycling specialists, engineering
designers, hydrogeologists, engineering
geologists, scientists, and skilled operations
personnel. Specialty consultants are used
when necessary to support the staff. All of
which leads to another important way the
Sanitation Districts serve their communities…
the creation of jobs.
INTO THE FUTURE.
As the population grows, more trash gets
generated and there are fewer places to
build landfills. It’s a complex problem that
the Sanitation Districts have been hard
at work on, implementing programs that
offer real solutions. As capacity is reached
at the Puente Hills Landfill, the new
“Waste-by-Rail” program will continue the
clean management of solid waste by loading
it onto rail cars in sealed containers and
delivering it to remote landfill sites. When the
Puente Hills Landfill is closed for good,
the facility will continue to be monitored and
maintained by the Sanitation Districts to ensure
environmental protection. The Los Angeles
County Department of Parks and Recreation
will determine, along with input from the
public, the appropriate use of the site for
surrounding communities to enjoy.
IT’S AN HONOR TO SERVE
•1989 Honor Award for Operations and Management “Modern
Metropolitan Landfill,” presented by American Academy of
Environmental Engineers
•1991 Meritorious Achievement Award for “Landfill Excellence,”
presented by the Solid Waste Association of North America
•1994 Clean Air Award for Excellence in Advancing Air Pollution
Control Technology through the Puente Hills “Clean Fuels Program,”
presented by the South Coast Air Quality Management District
•1994 Honor Award for Operations and Management
“Clean Fuels Program,” presented by the American Academy of
Environmental Engineers
•1994 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for
“Clean Fuels Program,” presented by Governor Pete Wilson and the
California Environmental Protection Agency
•2002 National Public Works Week Award for “Community Outreach
Program for Repermitting the Puente Hills Landfill,” presented by the
American Public Works Association, Southern California Chapter
•2002 Grand Prize for Planning “On Track to Solving the Solid Waste
Disposal Dilemma,” presented by the American Academy of
Environmental Engineers
•1997 Chapter Award for Solid Waste Management “Puente Hills
Landfill Expansion – Composite Liner and Slope Stabilization,”
presented by the American Public Works Association, Southern
California Chapter
•2003 Platinum Best of Show for Environmental Protection and Public
Relations/Awareness Categories, “The Truck Stops Here” (Puente Hills
Landfill Video), presented by the Aurora Awards
•1999 Program of the Year Award for “Puente Hills Landfill Native
Habitat Preservation Program,” presented by the American Public
Works Association, Southern California Chapter
•2006 Gold Award for Transfer Station Category, Excellence Awards
Program “Puente Hills Materials Recovery Facility,” presented by the
Solid Waste Association of North America
The Puente Hills Landfill:
HELPING NEIGHBORS,
AND THE ENVIRONMENT,
IN TONS OF WAYS.
13,200 tons a day. That’s the permitted
daily disposal capacity of the Puente Hills
Landfill. And make no mistake, every
ounce of it is carefully managed by the
Sanitation Districts, where dedicated
teams of professionals develop—and
apply—the best waste management
techniques and practices available in
the nation.
SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY.
Key to the process is making the operation as “invisible” as possible to
the surrounding neighborhoods. This begins at a single point of entry,
just off the freeway, that all trucks must use to enter and exit the landfill to
ensure traffic in the area is not impacted. This entry point is also where
trucks are weighed and scanned for radioactive material, which,
if found, is pulled out of line and turned over to the appropriate
regulatory agencies.
Earthen berms block views of the disposal operations from surrounding
areas and minimize equipment noise. Extensive landscaping screens
the view of truck traffic from below the site. Native plants are used in
appropriate areas to provide a natural look.
GROUNDWATER PROTECTION PLAN.
Groundwater protection at the landfill is so important that the Sanitation
Districts have implemented several redundant features for extra precaution.
First, the site itself was chosen for its natural containment geography and
because it is not located over a water supply. Second, incoming refuse is
inspected for the presence of unacceptable or hazardous waste.
Third, underground barriers have been constructed downstream of fill areas
to contain subsurface water on-site. Fourth, impermeable liner systems that
meet stringent regulatory
GAS COLLECTION PIPE
standards are installed at the GAS TO
GAS WELLS
landfill. Finally, to check the
& TRENCHES
ongoing effectiveness of these
GROUNDWATER
MONITORING
measures, an extensive system
REFUSE
WELLS
LINER
ALLUVIUM
of monitoring wells surrounds BEDROCK
the landfill, where constant
testing provides assurance of
GROUNDWATER
EXTRACTION WELLS
environmental protection.
SUBSURFACE BARRIER
GAS MONITORING PROBE
BUILDING THE CELLS, KEEPING IT CLEAN.
Refuse doesn’t just vanish. It gets crushed and compacted, then covered
with a cap: 6 to 12 inches of clean soil or other suitable cover materials.
This process is done in manageable sections known as “cells.” Each cell
contains a day’s worth of refuse cleanly encapsulated. While the refuse
is being compacted and covered (photo above), water trucks continually
moisten the roadways and disposal area with recycled wastewater to
reduce dust. The cells are carefully aligned and layered in order to most
efficiently “build” the landfill.
UNDER CONTROL.
Odor, dust and litter control are important elements in maintaining good
air quality. Inactive areas are landscaped to minimize dust. Maintenance
crews police the landfill and nearby surface streets for litter. Moveable
recycled plastic fences also surround the operation areas to capture
blowing litter on windy days. There’s even an innovative bird control
program. Seagulls are discouraged with a system of poles and strings
that disrupts their flying patterns.
CNG Bulldozer at refueling station
Clean Fuels Facility
LANDFILL GAS RECOVERY.
Extracting resources from the landfill operation is
key to the Sanitation Districts’ management plan.
Through the Landfill Gas Recovery infrastructure,
the gas generated by the decomposition of
organic material is collected through a network
of more than 1,350 wells, 95 miles of
underground trenches, and 34 miles of collection
pipes. A team of engineers and technicians
continuously monitors the entire gas collection
system. The collected gas is converted to clean
burning vehicle fuel and electricity.
SHARED RESOURCES.
Part of Sanitation Districts’ mission is to shepherd
resources that might otherwise be wasted.
Recycled wastewater, pumped in from the
Sanitation Districts’ nearby San Jose Creek Water
Reclamation Plant, is used for all non-potable
water needs such as dust control and on-site
irrigation. It’s also used as cooling water at the
landfill’s energy recovery facility. Electricity
generated at the landfill is used for power at the
water reclamation plant.
IN THE LAND OF OAKS.
The majestic oak. Its unique beauty defines our
Southern California landscape. At the landfill’s
oak tree nursery (above), trees are grown from
thousands of acorns that have been collected
on-site. Through the replacement oak-planting
program, thousands of mature oaks now line the
slopes surrounding the landfill. These magnificent
trees
add
beauty
to
the
surrounding
neighborhoods, and provide a valuable food
source and protective cover for area wildlife.
Many of the surplus oak trees have found their
way into interesting local projects such as civic
re-vegetation efforts.
WE’RE A LEAN, CLEAN RECYCLING MACHINE!
It may sound funny, but there’s a lot of good that comes from garbage. Landfill gases are converted to clean burning fuels and power is generated.
Valuable materials are recovered, saving precious natural resources and conserving landfill capacity. And another good thing: as landfills close,
new parkland and recreational areas are created for communities to enjoy.
The Puente Hills Landfill actively promotes reuse and recycling through innovative materials recovery programs and a buy-back recycling center.
These programs help over 60 cities meet the ambitious recycling requirements set by the California Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939).
The following are just some of ways the Sanitation Districts are helping Los Angeles County area residents and businesses clean up their act.
LANDFILL RECYCLING PROGRAMS
• Green Waste Recycling – It’s only natural. Waste from gardening, one of the largest
single waste types in Los Angeles County, is processed and recycled at the landfill as
alternative daily cover and mulch.
• Asphalt and Treated Ash Recycling – Paving the way. Asphalt waste from road
construction, along with treated ash from the two refuse-to-energy facilities, is used at
the landfill to build roads and disposal areas used during the rainy season.
• Clean Dirt Recycling – Dishing the dirt. Clean dirt is accepted at the landfill free of
charge, and is used on-site for construction and daily cover operations.
• Refrigerant, Appliance & Metal Recycling – A cool idea. Refrigerants are extracted from
refrigerators and air conditioners and recycled. The remaining metal from these and other
appliances, as well as a wide range of other sources, is sold to scrap salvagers.
• Wood Palettes Recycling – Knot a bad idea. Wood palettes are sorted and sold back
to local businesses. Palettes not purchased are broken down and recycled.
CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED BUY-BACK CENTER
• The Puente Hills Recycle Center pays for clean glass,
paper, aluminum, and plastics.
RECYCLING &
COMPOSTING:
THERE’S A LOT YOU CAN DO!
HELP OTHERS.
Donate used clothing, toys and household goods
to charitable organizations or homeless shelters.
Turn worn-out clothes into rags for household
cleaning.
Use glass or ceramic
disposable plates.
dishes
instead
of
HELPFUL TIPS.
Use both sides for writing or printing.
Buy in bulk when possible to eliminate waste and
save money.
Donate magazines to friends, senior citizens,
doctor’s offices, or hospital waiting rooms.
AVOID BUYING OVER-PACKAGED PRODUCTS.
If you feel a product has too much packaging,
contact
the
manufacturer
and
explain
your concern.
Use colorful newspaper or magazines pages as
gift wrap.
Use shopping bags to line garbage bins or return
them to participating stores for recycling.
Aerosol cans are not recyclable. Buy products such
as hair spray or room freshener in pump spray
bottles that are recyclable.
Think ahead. Purchase products that are compatible
with your neighborhood recycling program.
Buy milk in plastic jugs or glass bottles rather than
in wax-coated cartons, which are not recyclable.
Buy liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner in refillable sizes.
Buy household and commercial cleaning products
in refillable sizes.
FROM THE KITCHEN: Compost your eggs shells,
coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit and vegetable
scraps, and corn husks.
IN THE YARD: Compost your grass clippings,
leaves, shrub and tree waste, sawdust and
wood chips.
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENERGY MANAGEMENT: TURNING SOLID WASTE INTO SOLID RESOURCES.
The Sanitation Districts are internationally recognized leaders in the recovery of usable
resources.The
management of a natural landfill by-product is no exception. Municipal solid
waste contains organic materials that produce gas when covered in the landfill. At the Puente
Hills Landfill, the Sanitation Districts collect the landfill gas and convert it to an environmentally
clean source of electricity. This represents a significant contribution to the community by
offsetting needs for non-renewable energy sources and helps to control green house gases
involved in global climate change.
PUTTING RECOVERED RESOURCES TO WORK.
At the Puente Hills Landfill Gas-to-Energy Facility, the methane rich recovered landfill gas is burned
in a boiler, creating steam that turns a turbine to generate 50 megawatts of electricity, enough to
power about 70,000 Southern California homes. The Gas-to-Energy Facility generates electricity
with significantly lower air emissions than a conventional utility power plant, and is one of the largest
and cleanest burning facilities of its kind in the world. Landfill gas internal combustion
engines generate additional electricity for use at the landfill and the nearby San Jose Creek Water
Reclamation Plant.
“MEGA” INFRASTRUCTURE.
A system of trenches, collection pipes, and wells is engineered into the landfill and continuously
incorporated as new cells are laid down. There are currently more than 1,350 wells, 95 miles of
underground trenches, and 34 miles of collection pipes in use. Capturing the landfill gas controls
odors and other hazards, and prevents escaping gas from contributing to local smog and global
climate change.
Puente Hills Landfill Gas-to-Energy Facility
TRACKING THE FUTURE
OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT.
The Sanitation Districts are at the forefront of engineering unique solutions to tough problems. One very real problem is siting new solid waste disposal
facilities near urban areas. In 2013, the Puente Hills Landfill will close. To solve the projected shortfall in local disposal capacity, an exciting new program
is being implemented. It’s called “Waste-By Rail,” and just as the name suggests, the program will provide rail transport of waste to distant disposal
facilities to ensure long-term disposal capacity. The local components of Waste-by-Rail are the MRF/Transfer Stations and Intermodal Rail Yards. Take a
look at how the system works.
MEET MRF: THE PUENTE HILLS “MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY (MRF).”
The MRF (pronounced “murf”) is the starting point of the Waste-By-Rail system. It began operations in the summer of 2005 and is permitted to manage
4,000 tons of waste each day.
The process begins when refuse collection trucks deliver their loads to the MRF station. Recyclable materials are recovered from the incoming waste
stream with automated and manual sorting systems. The stream is continually inspected for the presence of hazardous waste or other unacceptable
materials. The residual waste will be loaded into sealed intermodal containers that look identical to standard freight shipping containers.
GOING INTERMODAL.
The filled intermodal containers will be loaded onto trucks at the Puente Hills MRF and taken to the “local rail yard,”
located just across the street from the MRF. A tunnel constructed for truck access will eliminate any impact on local
traffic. The trucks will make the short return trip with empty containers, ready to be loaded again.
LOCAL INTERMODAL RAIL YARD:
The outbound full containers delivered to the local rail yard from the MRF will be loaded onto rail cars using
overhead cranes. Returning empty containers will be removed from the rail cars and loaded back onto trucks to be
transported back to the MRF.
REMOTE INTERMODAL RAIL YARD:
This facility will transfer full containers from the train to trucks for transport to an adjacent remote landfill.
Empty containers will be placed on the train for the return trip to the local rail yard.
WASTE-BY-RAIL LANDFILLS.
Within Southern California, there are two landfill projects that have proposed to receive waste via rail. They are “Mesquite Regional Landfill” in Imperial
County and “Eagle Mountain Landfill” in Riverside County. Both are located approximately 200 miles east of Los Angeles along the Union Pacific Railroad.
In 2002, the Sanitation Districts acquired the Mesquite Regional Landfill project and are in development of that facility. The capacity of both of these
remote disposal sites could serve the needs of Los Angeles County for the next 100 years—a valuable next step in the future of environmentally safe solid
waste collection.
The MRF’s environmentally friendly design includes high efficiency air conditioning and lighting, over 500 skylights, reclaimed water for site irrigation
and employee restrooms, and high-tech dust, litter and odor control features, including high-speed access doors. Recycled materials were used throughout
the project, from structural and reinforcing steel to ceiling and floor tiles.
SORTING THINGS OUT.
The clean commercial refuse is first inspected for hazardous or unacceptable waste. Then the material is sent to the “sorting floor” where valuable, bulky
recyclables such as palettes, wood, metal, carpet, and large pieces of cardboard are separated out.
Other waste is sent via conveyor to an automated picking system and finally to the “picking line,” where workers manually sort and grade glass, cardboard,
paper, aluminum and plastic (photo above). The recycled materials are then bailed and made ready for sale to industry.
The MRF is capable of sorting out virtually any class of recyclables, making it possible to accommodate future markets as they emerge.
Entrance gates to Hacienda Hills Trail Head
THE HABITAT AUTHORITY:
CREATING WIDE OPEN SPACES
The population of Los Angeles County is growing at unprecedented rates. As a result, open space for
recreation and wildlife habitat is quickly disappearing in this densely developed area. The Puente Hills
Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority (Habitat Authority) is rising to this enormous challenge by
acquiring, preserving, and managing native open space around the landfill.
Created in January 1994 by the Sanitation Districts, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of Whittier,
the Habitat Authority is recognized for its commitment to creating and maintaining beautiful, wide open
spaces for area residents to enjoy.
$1 GOES A LONG WAY.
When waste is disposed at the landfill, $1 is collected for each ton and set aside for the Habitat Authority.
The Habitat Authority currently owns over 1,800 acres of critical open space habitat and wildlife corridor
property within the Puente Hills. This is an area more than twice as large as the entire fill area. Including
this acreage, the Habitat Authority manages a total of almost 4,000 acres of open space.
HAPPY TRAILS TO ALL.
In addition to the off-site preservation program, on-site public horseback riding and nature trails traverse
the Puente Hills Landfill, but are separated from daily landfill operations. These trails are maintained as
part of a regional trail system of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. Saddle up
and wind your way through 225 acres of the most valuable native habitat in the southern portion of the
landfill. Happily, these canyons have been permanently set aside for preservation.
PLANNING THE FUTURE.
The Puente Hills Landfill will close in November 2013. Thereafter, major portions of the site will be turned
over to the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation for development as a recreational
facility, a great benefit for residents of surrounding communities. And another great benefit… for years to
come the methane gas produced in the landfill will continue to be converted into the valuable byproducts
of electricity and clean burning vehicle fuels.
MEETING
The Sanitation Districts provide environmentally
sound, cost-effective solid waste management, and
in the process, convert waste into resources such
as energy and recycled materials.
The management of solid waste generated by an
urban society as large as Los Angeles County is an
enormous challenge, one that will grow even larger
given the area’s rapidly increasing population.
The Puente Hills Landfill continues to rise to this
challenge, creating new technologies and
programs that meet today’s needs and offers
tomorrow’s solutions. This responsive and
progressive management technique is absolutely
essential to the future health, welfare and prosperity
of Los Angeles County residents.
REMEMBER!
REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.
Every individual can make a significant contribution
in reducing the amount of solid waste generated.
For more information as well as helpful tips on
recycling, composting and event schedules, visit:
THE
CHALLENGE
www.lacsd.org
www.888CleanLA.com
www.compostguide.com/composting_tips.html
GIVING BACK…
As part of their good neighbor policy,
the Sanitation Districts fund:
• A Community Benefit and Environmental
Education Trust Fund, established to provide
resources for environmental, educational,
and quality of life programs
• Twelve household hazardous waste and
electronic waste collection events, in addition to
the over 50 events already conducted in
partnership with the County of Los Angeles
• The acquisition, restoration, and/or maintenance
of additional open space lands in the
Puente Hills/Whittier Hills areas
THE SANITATION DISTRICTS ALSO:
• Accept bulky items and waste tires from
nearby residents at the Puente Hills Landfill
for a nominal fee
• Operate state-certified drop-off and buy-back
recycle centers at the Puente Hills and
Palos Verdes Landfills
• Offer free Christmas tree recycling to Los Angeles
County for several weeks after the holiday
TRANSFORMING
The recyclable materials
are bundled and baled.
Trash and recyclables
Once loaded into these trucks,
are separated along
they are sold and sent
the conveyor belt.
to make new products Some piles are presorted
like a water bowl for me!
on the floor too.
Much of this work is
done by hand.
The stuff that is not
recyclable (waste) is pushed
into pits where trucks with
containers are waiting
underneath to be filled.
Once full, the containers are
hauled to a landfill either by
truck or train.
INTO
Wouldn’t it be nice if your trash could go to a place where it
could be separated into recyclable materials? Now it can at
the new state-of-the-art Puente Hills Materials Recovery Facility or MRF (pronounced “murf”). A MRF is a facility that
processes trash and recovers recyclable materials, such as
paper, plastic and metal. The recyclables are used to make
new products and the waste is disposed at landfills using
Hi, I’m Murf
the Recycler, and I
am here to show you
how the Puente Hills
MRF works.
trucks or trains.
The process works with the help of machinery, organization
and people. Check out the process in this illustration.
You can see that it takes a lot of work to make sure we are
recycling as much as possible. Remember, you can do your
part by recycling at home, or even better, use products that
are reusable and avoid making waste. For more information
Trash trucks
are weighed to
determine how
much trash is
coming in.
please visit www.lacsd.org.
www.lacsd.org
www.lacsd.org
1955 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601
Telephone 562-699-7411