Robert Lewis, 49, of Detroit patrols his Eastside Detroit neighborhood everyday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. as a part of the 4820Live radio patrol where he reports illegal dumping and other crimes, on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Lewis, who works “midnights” says he does it because he wants to make a difference in his community. “I don’t want to come outside and see trash all outside in the street.”
Antelope Valley, California – For nearly four decades, residents like Jackie Livingstone have appreciated the beauty of the Antelope Valley’s vast desert landscape, home to quail, rattlesnakes, mule deer, poppies, and Joshua Trees. But recently, Livingstone and her neighbors have witnessed a troubling trend: illegal dumping on vacant land that’s turning these once-pristine areas into makeshift landfills.
“What’s happening here is far more than just household trash,” says Erika Schwerdt, a community advocate with Strength Based Community Change, a nonprofit dedicated to equity and social justice. “We’ve documented over 20 illegal dump sites across the valley, and it’s clear that large-scale dumping operations are taking place.”
Schwerdt, along with Wendy Walker and Livingstone, has become increasingly concerned about the environmental toll illegal dumping is taking on the area. They’ve found everything from mulch and green waste to construction debris, ground-up concrete, plastics, and hazardous chemicals scattered across rural plots. The dumping isn’t just unsightly – it’s dangerous.
“Mulch may be spread legally on farmland, but when it’s mixed with trash and debris, it disguises what’s really being dumped,” Schwerdt explains. “This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about protecting the air, soil, and water in the valley, where many people rely on wells for drinking water.”
In some cases, illegal dump sites have been found near elementary schools, raising concerns about public health. The danger of fires is another growing issue. In September 2024, the Apollo Fire ravaged 800 acres in the Antelope Valley, destroying a home and killing several dogs. The LA County Fire Department reported over 70 fires related to mulch and trash between 2020 and 2024, costing taxpayers over $1.6 million.
Environmental lawyer Chris Nidel has filed two civil lawsuits and is preparing a federal lawsuit on behalf of residents affected by illegal dumping. He is targeting 14 waste haulers, trucking companies, and recyclers accused of transporting and dumping waste illegally across Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Kern counties.
One company under fire is Athens Services, a major waste hauler with multimillion-dollar contracts in Southern California. Nidel claims Athens and others have bypassed legal waste disposal procedures, opting for cheaper and more environmentally harmful dumping methods. While Athens denies the allegations, saying their waste processing complies with state regulations, the situation remains contentious.
The problem has been exacerbated by a 2022 California state law, Senate Bill 1383, which mandates that organic waste be composted or processed, creating an excess of mulch with no clear destination. As a result, large quantities of mulch and waste are ending up in the desert.
Officials like Chuck Bostwick, senior field deputy for LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, have documented illegal dumping’s surge over the past four years. Despite efforts like surveillance cameras and satellite imagery to catch perpetrators, illegal dumping remains a significant challenge. In 2024, LA County expects a 15% increase in reported cases of illegal dumping.
The push for more oversight has led to action by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), which has recently passed emergency regulations aimed at improving accountability for haulers and unpermitted landfills. For residents like Schwerdt, Walker, and Livingstone, this fight is personal.
“We want to protect this place for future generations,” Schwerdt says. “It’s not just dirt – it’s our home.
