COLLABORATION
IN MOTION

MISSION
AND
VISION

YEAR IN REVIEW: HIGHLIGHTS

WASTE DISPOSAL:
AN ESSENTIAL
PUBLIC SERVICE

OCWR’s three active landfills are feats of environmental engineering, built to exacting specifications using the latest technology. They receive more than four million tons of solid waste each year. While we work toward a zero-waste future, local landfill capacity will remain a valuable resource.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Stewarding the environment has many faces at OCWR, from renewable energy to regulations that protect air and water quality and habitat restoration as mitigation for landfill development.

EDUCATIONAL
OUTREACH TO
PROMOTE
RECYCLING
AND MORE

Waste diversion requirements are narrowing the path for all cities and counties calling for rigorous outreach as well as increased waste diversion from landfills. Through partnerships with leading educational organizations OCWR will continue to inspire sustainability through recycling, composting, hazardous household waste collection and more.

AWARDS

The awards OCWR projects and programs receive annually recognize excellence in innovation, efficiency, creativity, partnerships and collaboration. In 2016 OCWR received five awards, bringing to 28 the total since the agency began keeping count.

10-YEAR
FORECAST

FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

COUNTY OF ORANGE MISSION: MAKING ORANGE COUNTY A SAFE, HEALTHY, AND FULFILLING PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY, TODAY AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, BY PROVIDING OUTSTANDING, COST-EFFECTIVE REGIONAL PUBLIC SERVICES.

WASTE
MANAGEMENT
COMMISSION

LETTER
FROM THE
DIRECTOR

If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.

Henry Ford

Day in and day out, in neighborhoods all around Orange County, families separate recyclables from trash. Haulers deliver the trash and recyclables to their respective destinations—landfills and material recovery facilities. Recyclable materials get processed for their next life. Trash is compacted and buried at the landfills, only to be recycled as landfill gas that provides energy. A falcon soars above the landfill, an instinctive reminder to thousands of crows and seagulls to stay away. Landfill employees assist commercial haulers and residents dispose of their waste, and they even pick up every scrap of litter. Students implement school-wide recycling programs and gardens, and they learn about the waste stream by taking tours of the landfills. Nonprofit organizations bring recycling and environmental stewardship alive for thousands of Orange County residents. Local, regional and state regulating agencies monitor and chart the course for waste management.

And by implementing a strategic plan built on collaboration, OC Waste & Recycling manages and coordinates the County’s solid waste disposal system.

  • Total tons
    of waste
    collected
  • hours recorded by
    OCWR employees
  • customers serviced
    (fee both entries)
  • number of phone calls
    received at OCWR
    reception
  • Operational
    Hours of heavy
    Equipment
  • Number of visits
    to OCWR's four Household Hazardous
    Waste Collection Centers.

MISSION

OC Waste & Recycling provides waste management services, protects the environment, and promotes recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations.

VISION

Our vision is to be the best waste management system in America.

2016
JAN

East Flank Landslide Remediation Project at Bowerman Landfill is completed, preserving capacity.

Partnership with Inside the Outdoors (ITO) receives a 2015 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA), the state’s highest environmental honor, and the Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association for Project Zero Waste.

Coyote Canyon gas-to-energy plant is permanently shut down and project management begins process to demolish facility.

Feb

ASCE

OC Project
of the Year
Award

Bowerman Power Project receives the ASCE Orange County Energy Project of the Year Award.

Mar

First phase of the partial final closure at Olinda Alpha Landfill is completed.

OCWR launches BOOST, a performance-based program for employee growth and development that includes job shadowing, cross-training and mentoring.

Apr

Board of Supervisors unanimously approves Waste Disposal Agreement amendments, which enable long-term disposal rate stabilization for residents and businesses, revenue sharing among all OC cities and full bankruptcy repayment.

More than 1,500 residents celebrate Earth Day with OCWR by participating in reduce, reuse and recycle activities at the Eco Challenge event.

Commercial delivery of electricity begins from Bowerman Power to the City of Anaheim.

May

Waste disposal companies partner with OCWR employees at Dine at the Dump, which raised $6,052 for United Way.

Work begins at Bowerman to construct a visual barrier that will enhance aesthetics for the surrounding community by mitigating the appearance of landfill operations.

Jun

Landfill and paleontology staff unveil to the media ancient sperm whale fossils uncovered at Bowerman Landfill, at an elevation of 1,200 feet.

SCAQMD grants emissions compliance waiver enabling the Prima Deshecha Landfill power-generating facility to operate until October 2022, allowing for continuation of royalty payments to the County of Orange.

Jul

NACo

Acheivement
Award

Bowerman Power receives a National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award in the category of County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy and Sustainability.

Aug

Construction begins to expand the viewshed at Prima, enhancing the aesthetics by screening views of the parking lot and power plant.

OCWR participates in the Grand Opening Celebration of the La Pata Gap Closure project, a $126.5 million, multi-agency project that runs right through the Prima Deshecha Landfill. The project included excavation and relocation of approximately 850,000 cubic yards of refuse.

Sep

$3M

In founding

County releases fourth cycle of the Regional Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant, which provides up to $3 million in funding for general recycling and organics diversion programs as well as educational outreach efforts.

A Request for Proposal is released to redevelop the closed Coyote Canyon landfill into a golf course.

Five youths, each from their Supervisorial District, are presented at Angel Stadium as winners of the Eco Challenge Poster contest and receive the opportunity to serve as honorary Angels bat kids.

Oct

Demolition of the old gas-to-energy plant at Coyote Canyon, making way for future renewable technology options.

ASCE

LA Section
Energy Project
of the Year

Bowerman Power Project receives the ASCE Los Angeles Section Energy Project of the Year Award.

Nov

Board of Supervisors unanimously approves OCWR’s updated Strategic Plan.

Dec

Construction begins on the development of Bowerman’s Phase VIII-B2 area, which provides approximately 18.3 million cubic yards of capacity and includes a protective liner; road and facility improvements; and leachate collection, landfill gas collection and facility drainage control systems.

Review begins of a draft renewable technologies action plan. OCWR posts Coyote Canyon Landfill Energy Redevelopment Project RFQ to obtain qualified firms to propose an energy redevelopment project.

Waste Management Commission elects Joe Carchio as chairman and Cypress Council Member Rob Johnson as vice chair for 2017.

OCWR’s three active landfills are feats of environmental engineering, built to exacting specifications using the latest technology. They receive more than four million tons of solid waste each year. While we work toward a zero-waste future, local landfill capacity will remain a valuable resource.

MAJOR MILESTONE

In 2016 OC Waste & Recycling achieved a major strategic plan milestone in renegotiating an amendment to the Waste Disposal Agreements (WDA)—the arrangement through which cities bring their waste to Orange County’s landfills in exchange for low, predictable disposal rates. An amendment to the WDA was needed to allow for continued waste importation, which would have ended in June 2016 without proper consent. Additionally, the financial stability offered by the amended WDA allows the department to manage disposal operations and maintain needed landfill capacity.

This complex win-win achievement was a direct result of collaboration among all of the cities, with significant involvement by the Orange County City Managers’ Association. The amended WDA also introduced revenue-sharing with the County’s 34 cities, as well as additional revenue for landfill “host cities” to offset their costs associated with landfill impacts.

  • Amendments
    approved
  • $ Billion
    In revenue projected over nine-year term
  • $
    Million
    To bankruptcy
    repayment
  • $
    Million
    To county
    General fund
  • $
    Million
    In revenue to cities
Banner

BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR

Orange County’s three active landfills are located in areas that were once remote. Now, some new neighborhoods find themselves in clear view of and downwind from landfill operations. OC Waste & Recycling is strategically proactive in building two-way, Good Neighbor relationships.

OCWR goes beyond compliance in our approach to neighbors’ concerns; we meet them where they are and we listen. Then we respond. Responses have come in the form of operational changes at the landfill, in-person visits and meaningful Neighborhood Briefings designed to inform and clarify. We also enhanced our online complaint reporting system to ensure timely support and responses for neighbors, and we commissioned an odor study to get a better understanding of an ongoing odor issue in one neighborhood.

Banner

LOTS OF DIRT AND A NEW ROAD

One of the most visible efforts completed in 2016 was remediation of a landslide at Bowerman. The risk was serious: the potential loss of future fill capacity. Over many months, crews moved more than seven million cubic yards of dirt, which relieved pressure that could cause additional slides. To mitigate the scar left on the hillside by the remediation, fertile dirt has been placed over the exposed rock and to allow native plants to take hold.

Another highly visible, highly collaborative major operational feat completed in 2016 was the opening of the La Pata gap connector, which runs directly through the heart of the Prima Deshecha Landfill. To support this project, OCWR coordinated the unearthing and relocation of 750,000 cubic yards of buried waste to make way for the new road.

Stewarding the environment has many faces at OCWR, from renewable energy to regulations that protect air and water quality and habitat restoration as mitigation for landfill development.

POWER ON

Permitted future landfill capacity is one of OCWR’s greatest assets. Likewise, the landfill gas produced by decomposing refuse is a valuable renewable fuel, and in March 2016, the Bowerman Power Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project powered up. Today, this project delivers 20-megawatts of renewable energy to the City of Anaheim Public Utilities—enough to serve 14,700 homes. The Bowerman Power Project is the second OCWR power plant to partner with Anaheim Public Utilities. The reliability and close proximity of the renewable power source helps Anaheim maintain low rates while reducing reliance on imported energy.

  • $ Million
    In total royalties to oc during 20-year agreement
  • Enough
    Power for
    Homes
  • Awards
    received
Banner

EXTENDING RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGY

As good stewards of public resources, OC Waste & Recycling continues to explore ways to make the best use of available assets–far beyond landfill gas-to-energy plants. From technologies to treat organic waste, to those harnessing renewable natural gas and even solar power, we’re making great progress on our comprehensive examination of options to increase the department’s portfolio of renewable technologies.

We’re also focused on the coming ban on organic materials. OCWR staff is developing options for renewable energy projects to be implemented in the next three years and beyond.

CREATING AND NURTURING NATIVE HABITAT

Landfill development projects require mitigation for disturbed habitat. Currently there are 13 mitigation projects that are thriving at OCWR landfills and off-site locations. All of the mitigation seeks to achieve a common goal—to help protect, nurture and sustain our environment.

In Santiago Oaks Regional Park, nearly 150 oak trees planted in 2011 are now thriving. The trees were planted to compensate for development at the Olinda Landfill. This win-win project came about as OC Parks looked for ways to replace oak trees that were destroyed by fire. At the Puente Hills Reserve in Whittier, 15 acres of coastal sage scrub are thriving in another successful off-site mitigation project.

At the Prima Deshecha Landfill, 450 rare and endangered thread-leaved brodiaea plants were moved out of harm’s way (La Pata construction) and relocated to new digs, where they are now well established.

Waste diversion requirements are narrowing the path for all cities and counties calling for rigorous outreach as well as increased waste diversion from landfills. Through partnerships with leading educational organizations OCWR will continue to inspire sustainability through recycling, composting, hazardous household waste collection and more.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE TOGETHER

New waste diversion requirements call for rigorous outreach to engage residents at the source—in their homes and workplaces. Individual actions to reduce, reuse and recycle are integral to increasing waste diversion. Yet inspiring individuals to action often calls for collaboration. OC Waste & Recycling has partnered with some of the best to achieve the greatest reach with meaningful and actionable messages.

OCWR’s successful and productive four-year collaboration with Discovery Cube OC, Angels Baseball and the Ducks grew to new levels of success in 2016, reaching even more students with in-class learning about the three Rs.

Project Zero Waste is an outcome of another OCWR collaboration, with Inside the Outdoors (ITO). An educational nonprofit that aims to inspire in children a lifelong enthusiasm for the environment, ITO reaches more than 40,000 students annually through a range of hands-on activities. Among them is the award-winning Project Zero Waste, which empowers students to launch recycling programs, plant school gardens and more.

  • Students taught by
    ocwr's outreach
    partners
  • Tons of materials
    Diverted from
    Landfills through five
    Collection events
  • ECO CHALLENGE POSTER
    CONTEST PARTICIPANTS
  • Visitors to eco
    Challenge
    Exhibits at
    Discovery cube
  • Free discovery
    cube child
    admission
    coupons
    redeemed
  • Community
    Engagement
    Events
Ocwr educational partners:
  • Angels logo
  • Discovery logo
  • Ducks logo
  • Outdoors foundation
Banner

LANDFILLING UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

2016 marked a new beginning for landfill tours. We formalized, standardized and revitalized our efforts, creating a landfill tour program that enabled us to maximize the value of our opportunity to connect with and engage members of the public.

First, we professionalized the handling of tour requests through an online system. Next, we produced a pre-tour video with key strategic messaging, and created tour maps and interactive handouts— to help enhance the educational experience for landfill visitors. Finally, our landfill tour guides were trained and given resource books, and an online survey tracks the experiences of the participants after their tours.

We use every opportunity to educate Orange County residents about how their own small steps can make a big difference for the environment.

LEADING THE WAY

During 2016, OCWR also embraced new regional leadership opportunities. Orange County Recycling Coordinators are the conduit for reaching cities and providing leadership about recycling. In addition to quarterly meetings, OCWR initiated a campaign to engage all Orange County cities in “America Recycles Day” (ARD) utilizing social media to promote ARD activities county-wide.

We also provided the Board of Supervisors with an opportunity to recognize all Orange County cities through presentation of a resolution for each city. Thanks to the availability of funds earmarked for waste diversion efforts, OC Waste & Recycling also released the Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction grant program. Winning proposals in this competitive process will develop sustainable programs that support compliance with state-mandated waste diversion. We look forward to supporting our partners in their pursuit of waste diversion goals.

The awards OCWR projects and programs receive annually recognize excellence in innovation, efficiency, creativity, partnerships and collaboration. In 2016 OCWR received five awards, bringing to 28 the total since the agency began keeping count.

  • OUTSTANDING
    ENERGY PROJECT
    2016

    BOWERMAN POWER LANDFILL GAS-TO-ENERGY PROJECT

    American Society of CivilEngineers Region 9

  • ACHIEVEMENT
    AWARD
    2016

    Bowerman Power Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project

    National Association
    of Counties (NACo)

  • GOLDEN HUB OF INNOVATION AWARD HON. MENTION 2016

    Bowerman Power Landfill
    Gas-to-Energy Project

    Association of CaliforniaCities-Orange County (ACC-OC)

  • GOVERNOR’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP AWARD (GEELA) 2016

    PROJECT ZERO WASTE SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM

    GOVERNOR/CalEPA

  • OUTSTANDING
    ENERGY PROJECT2016

    Bowerman Power Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project

    AMERICAN SOCITY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS (ASCE), ORANGE COUNTY BRANCH

The 10-Year Forecast projects OCWR's tonnage, revenues and expenditures. Variables such as population growth, legislative and regulatory impacts and significant capital project costs are included in the projection.

OCWR's financial statements include the Independent Auditor's Report and a narrative for Management's Discussion and Analysis of the agency's fiscal activities for the year ended June 30, 2016.

Waste diversion requirements are narrowing the path for all cities and counties—calling for rigorous outreach as well as increased waste diversion from landfills. Through partnerships with leading educational organizations OCWR will continue to inspire sustainability through recycling, composting, hazardous household waste collection and more.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors oversees the management of County government and many special districts. The Board develops public policy to implement and, as necessary, refine the local application of state law. The five supervisors are elected by the voters of their district to four-year terms.

  • Michelle Steel

    CHAIRWOMAN

    SECOND DISTRICT

  • Andrew Do

    VICE CHAIR

    FIRST DISTRICT

  • Todd Spitzer

    THIRD DISTRICT

  • Shawn Nelson

    FOURTH DISTRICT

  • Lisa Bartlett

    FIFTH DISTRICT

The Orange County Waste Management Commission advises the Board of Supervisors on matters relating to the County's solid waste disposal system and serves as the designated Local Task Force, assisting with Orange County's waste diversion and recycling efforts.

  • Chairman (2nd District)
    JOE J. CARCHIO
  • Vice-Chair (2nd District)
    HON. ROB JOHNSON*
  • 1st District
    DEEPAK J. KRISHAN
  • 2nd District
    TINA NIETO
  • 3rd District
    HON. MIKE ALVAREZ*
    DONALD R. FROELICH
    STEVE CHAVEZ LODGE
  • 4th District
    CHARLES J. KIM
    HON. CHRISTINE MARICK*
    HON. CHAD P. WANKE
  • 5th District
    HON. CYNTHIA CONNERS*
    JOE SOTO
    MARK TETTEMER
  • Member At Large
    DAVID J. SHAWVER*
EX OFFICIO
  • City Managers’ Representative
    BRET PLUMLEE*
*Appointed by the Orange County City Selection Committee.

In 2016, OC Waste & Recycling's activities can be summarized with a simple theme: "Collaboration in Motion." From the celebratory start-up of the renewable energy plant at the Bowerman Landfill to the adoption of an updated OCWR Strategic Plan and the successful renegotiation of the Countywide Waste Disposal Agreements, collaboration brought every one of this year's major accomplishments to fruition. And, as managers of a never-ending solid waste stream in a dynamic market and regulatory environment, we are in constant motion.

Throughout 2016, OCWR staff worked diligently with stakeholders to secure approval of a key amendment to the Waste Disposal Agreements - a key contracting arrangement with 45 cities and sanitary districts that allows for the continued importation of waste through 2025, secures stable disposal rates and enables revenue-sharing.

Key capital improvement projects were completed at all three active landfills. At the Olinda Landfill, the first phase of the partial final closure was completed in March. The project included aesthetic improvements to the area most visible to the adjacent community.

Habitat restoration at the Prima Deschecha landfill cleared the way for the future development of Zone Four of the landfills and serves to protect the environment. This 94-acre Segunda Deshecha habitat area is now home to a variety of native species, such as Coastal Sage Scrub.

Completion of a landslide remediation project of the Bowerman Landfill saw seven million cubic yards of earth moved in a project that preserved long-term landfill capacity.

Looking ahead, OC Waste & Recycling is well-positioned to face the challenges that arise as the industry paradigm shifts from landfill capacity (alone) to waste management alternatives. We envision making strides in renewable technologies, while we continue operating at the highest levels within our greatest asset - Orange County's landfills. We welcome the challenges ahead, and we value the opportunity to collaborate - with residents, industry, government officials, renewable energy partners, environmentalists, educators and customers - as OCWR pursues its vision of being the best waste management system in America.

Autograph
Shaw Lin
INTERIM DIRECTOR
COLLABORATION
IN MOTION
MISSION
AND
VISION
YEAR IN REVIEW:
HIGHLIGHTS
WASTE DISPOSAL:
AN ESSENTIAL
PUBLIC SERVICE
ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP
EDUCATIONAL
OUTREACH TO
PROMOTE
RECYCLING
AND MORE
AWARDS
10-YEAR
FORECAST
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
WASTE
MANAGEMENT
COMMISSION
LETTER
FROM THE
DIRECTOR