Cal Recycle addresses illegal disposal in the Antelope Valley

Sacramento – ZOOM – Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Forty-four concerned community members who joined and representing those who could not attend tonight’s Zoom meeting, joined officials with Cal Recycle and local governmental agencies to report to the Antelope Valley residents concerned with the massive tonnage of commercial construction waste being transported by the 55’ trailers to be dumped on undeveloped and vacant land in the Antelope Valley.

It should be noted that in addition to being construction waste, etc., it also contains toxic waste including lead and asbestos which, when detected, adds weeks to any clean up while testing is done prior to moving any part of it. Each pile needs to be tested before being removed.

Background on the topic is: In 2024, Cal Recycle became aware of significant illegal dumping of solid waste occurring in the Antelope Valley region in Los Angeles, San

Bernardino, and Kern Counties. At the request of Antelope Valley Residents, Cal Recycle staff visited 20 locations throughout the area in November of 2024. On February 14, 2025, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the Illegal Disposal emergency regulations. The Regulations remain in place and have been used by LA County LEA.

Noticed of Proposed Action published by OAL on July 18, 2025, public process conducted through the rest of 2025, awaiting sign off from Department of Finance before submitting to OAL, expect by the end of January 2026 and expected be in place in early February 2026. Very soon.

Overview of Regulations are expected to allow local enforcement agency to take enforcement on haulers and generators of illegal disposed waste, make clear compostable material mixed with non-organic, material is disposal, not land application, more oversight by local enforcement agencies and more stringent material storage time limits, and record keeping.

These regulations will provide for material sent from regulated solid waste facilities to be sampled to ensure it meets land application requirements and prohibit material types from being land applied that pose a risk.

What is being explored is an additional state agency assisting with investigations enforcement, exploring funding sources for site clean up after enforcement is completed and means to assist the county with cleanup at roadside dumping sites.

Related activities at the moment are 105 complaint investigations, 77 notices of violations, 6 Cease and Desist and Corrective Action Orders and 3 appeals hearings.

Pending cases on vacant lots are:

1. Avenue R in the vicinity of 220th East Black Butte 93591

2. 19720 West Avenue B Fairmont, 93536

3. 80th Street East in the vicinity of Alpine Butte 93591.

Recently Erika Schwerdt, Program Manager / Community Organizer- Antelope Valley Region, Strength Based Community Change (SBCC) organized and conducted a ‘Tour De Trash’ caravan with both State and County officials as they traveled to these areas to see firsthand just how massive the problem is and how widespread and environmentally dangerous they are. Some of the trash piles, when dumped in the low spots, reach 2 and 3 story heights. SBCC is keeping vigil on this issue and will stay with it until resolutions and solutions are a reality.

Photos : Shirley Harriman

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