I recently toured the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center, which is owned and managed by Waste Management.
I was shocked and surprised by what I saw and learned. I was expecting to see huge amounts of smelly garbage with birds circling overheard, and instead I came away very impressed with the operation and most of all consideration Waste Management has for the residents of Ventura County and beyond.
I was amazed at how well-managed the landfill is. Special care is given to keep clean air for close-by residents, as well as safety features for its staff and street and freeway drivers by reducing truck traffic. Mounds of rubbish are completely covered each night in the late afternoon after compacting machines minimize the daily intake. Wind fences and "deodorant" spraying have been constructed to curtail offensive odors, and pipelines carry methane gas, which is a byproduct of decomposing waste, through generators that work around the clock to capture that energy and maximize yield and efficiency.
They have even dedicated more than 500 acres for open space and wildlife habitats and created hiking trails and an area for children to sit and learn about landfills and their importance in our lives.
This landfill will reach its capacity in 2027, and Waste Management has proposed to expand the landfill by 371 acres and make improvements that will serve the residents of Ventura County until 2050.
Landfills are as important as our parks and open space, and I hope the Ventura County Board of Supervisors will approve this important expansion.
Take your family on a tour and learn how well our rubbish and recyclables are disposed. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Lisa Hemenway at 805-581-1746 or LHemenway1@wm.com. And please don't forget to take time to recycle.
-- Diana Malmquist, Westlake Village