OCWR makes enhancements to Prima Deshecha Landfill

Orange County Waste & Recycling (OCWR) has announced the completion of a new scale booth and extensive infrastructure upgrades at its Prima Deshecha Landfill (PDL) in San Juan Capistrano, California.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Dec. 6, 2023, marking what OCWR describes as a “momentous step towards heightened efficiency, safety and ecological sustainability.”

The comprehensive project, which commenced March 7, 2022, was an overhaul of the landfill’s entrance. The newly constructed site transitioned from two lanes to six lanes and installed a range of technology and safety enhancements. These include four additional scales, scale canopies, a modern office building, low-emission flares and landscaping for both aesthetic appeal and enhanced fire safety measures. 

Valued at $22.5 million, the project features optimized traffic flow, fostering enhanced customer communication and fortifying safety protocols.

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The opening of the new fee booth and scales prepares the site for Zone 4 access and opening. The improvements allow OCWR to serve more customers, decrease wait times, shorten traffic queues and centralize access to the Capistrano Greenery, Zones 1 and 4, preparing the site for the next 80 to 100 years.

Two “Ultra-Low NOx” flares have also been installed and are currently operational, passing stringent air quality requirements testing and providing an increase in gas collection capacity at the landfill. The new flares have a methane-destruction capacity of approximately 4,000 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) each. This provides the landfill with the ability to collect and manage more landfill gas as anticipated tonnage increases with upgraded efficiency, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“This milestone embodies our teams’ dedication to refining waste management services for the community, positioning PDL for a critical role in regional infrastructure and resource recovery efforts to meet both short and long-term goals,” says Tom Koutroulis, director of OCWR. “Prima Deshecha Landfill has been integral to our waste management strategy since its inception in 1976. The progress made reflects the county’s continued commitment to operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.” 

The Prima Deshecha Landfill sits on 1,530 acres and plays a critical role in facilitating waste disposal within Orange County. With a designated 691 acres intended for waste management, 18 acres for the greenery and an additional 557.1 acres under conservation easement, the landfill dedicates 233 acres to restoring native habitats within the protected area.