FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Please see below for the most common questions we receive regarding the Sunshine Canyon Landfill. A print-friendly version is also available.
Overview
Sunshine Canyon Landfill (SCL) is a Class III landfill (a municipal landfill that is not authorized to accept hazardous waste) near the communities of Sylmar and Granada Hills. Located in both the City of Los Angeles and unincorporated County of Los Angeles it operates as a joint City/County landfill. It is owned and operated by Browning Ferris Industries of California/Republic Services.
Additional information about the Landfill can be found at the Landfill’s website (https://sunshinecanyonlandfill.com/).
Health
Living or working near landfills may increase your risk of being exposed to gases such as sulfides, ammonia, methane, and carbon dioxide. Health issues people experience depend on the level of contact and the amount of pollutants. Landfill gases can cause short-term health effects, like:
- Coughing
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
Breathing air polluted with landfill gases may be more harmful to some people: For example, those who:
- Have existing health issues such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and respiratory diseases.
- Live near freeways, roads, and industrial sites that release harmful chemicals that pollute the air, land, and water.
- Work or exercise outside.
- Have added challenges like a lower income, live in communities with fewer resources, have experienced racism, trauma, and mental health issues.
Odors near a landfill may be a nuisance that may cause health effects. If you are having health symptoms due to air quality, speak with your doctor to let them know your concerns. If you don’t have a doctor, call 1-844-744-6452 Monday-Friday between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM to find a clinic near you; or visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov/mhla.
Additional facts about landfills, landfill gases, health effects, and what you can do to protect yourself can be found at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/business/facts-landfill-en.pdf.
Regulatory
Sunshine Canyon Landfill is regulated by the Sunshine Canyon Local Enforcement Agency (SCL LEA) along with regional and local agencies. A list of the regulatory agencies, including their contact information and role, can be found at https://planning.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SCL_Resources-Contact_List.pdf.
The City and County acknowledge that communities surrounding the landfill have experienced nuisances related to odor, dust, and traffic, and have concerns regarding winter season preparedness. As a result, in October 2023, LA County Board of Supervisor Lindsey Horvath (Third District) established the Sunshine Canyon Inter-Agency Working Group. The workgroup is comprised of the SCL LEA, LA County Public Works, LA County Public Health, LA County Planning, Supervisorial District 3, Supervisorial District 5, LA City Council District 12, LA City Planning, LA City Public Works, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD). The purpose of the working group is to ensure that the various regulatory agencies coordinate to streamline and facilitate actions to address the nuisances. One action includes working with the Landfill operator to ensure all necessary mitigation measures and remedies are implemented as swiftly as possible. Furthermore, representatives from the various workgroup agencies will continue to attend the Sunshine Canyon Community Advisory Committee meetings to provide updates and respond to questions from residents.
Conditional Use Permit No 00-194-(5), approved on February 6, 2007, granted the continued operation of the Landfill. This approval established the current landfill boundaries and capacity. A complete summary of daily and weekly maximum capacity allowed to be received at the facility can be found under Condition 21 of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP). No portion of the landfill shall expand beyond the limits of fill established by this CUP. A copy of the CUP can be found at https://planning.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Sunshine_Canyon-CUP.pdf
Information on odor complaints and public nuisance violations issued by the South Coast AQMD to the Landfill can be found at https://www.aqmd.gov/home/news-events/community-investigations/sunshine-canyon-landfill/odor-complaints.
Members of the public are encouraged to report air quality problems they experience to 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664) or via South Coast AQMD's online complaint report form (found at http://www3.aqmd.gov/webappl/complaintsystemonline/NewComplaint.aspx) for investigation by South Coast AQMD inspectors.
Other
Based on 2022 disposal data, the Landfill received approximately 2.3 million tons of trash. Approximately 67% of the trash came from the Los Angeles Area Integrated Waste Management Authority (LARA), and the rest of the trash came from various jurisdictions such as Los Angeles Unincorporated Areas (9%), Long Beach (4%), Compton (3%), and others (17%). LARA consists of the following 18 cities in Los Angeles County: Artesia, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Downey, Duarte, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rosemead, Sierra Madre, South Gate, and Torrance.
The California Department of Cannabis Control has defined cannabis waste as any material intended for disposal that contains cannabis but is not otherwise considered a hazardous waste. Cannabis waste consisting solely of plant material shall be considered an organic waste as defined in Public Resources Code section 42649.8(d).
A solid waste facility may handle and manage cannabis waste in accordance with Title 14 and Title 27 of California’s Code of Regulations. There is no state license required for a solid waste facility owner or operator to receive cannabis waste. Cannabis waste received at a solid waste facility or operation should be handled as solid waste.
Furthermore, Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No 00-194-(5) does not prohibit disposal of cannabis waste at the landfill as it is not considered hazardous waste and/or listed as prohibited waste per Condition 28 of the CUP.
More information on cannabis waste can be found at CalRecycle’s Frequently Asked Questions on cannabis waste found at https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Docs/Web/121932.
