To the OC landfill

The field trip to the Frank R Bowerman landfill was revelatory - so THAT's where our garbage is going, and that's how it gets there, and that's what's done with it once it arrives! I was really impressed, with the size of the landfill and the sheer volume of traffic going up, dumping and then going back down. Wow. There was a constant stream of huge trucks of all shapes and color and brands, in long lines both on the way up and the way down. And this was a Saturday. I wonder if the volume is even greater on the week days?


Christine Knapp was powerhouse of energy and information. Turns out this landfill is one of three in the OC, and is scheduled to close in 2053. The other two will close in 2021 and 2067 ... and there will not be any other landfills opening up in the county. They've taken a canyon basically and are filling it with trash here. Likely by the time these landfills close, we'll have zero waste policies well in place and won't need landfills anymore ... IF we work super-hard on the problem NOW!


This landfill isn't open to the public - all we saw were business garbage trucks and haulers. I couldn't help but wonder where exactly MY garbage was on this huge pile we were standing on. Perhaps I even saw my garbage being unloaded, as we stood there and watched! I must say, this visit to the landfill inspired me to keep going forward with my green training, as there's definitely "a need and a half" for work done in this field!

Please visit our Orange County landfills website at www.oclandfills.com for the full scoop.