Waste Hauler Pulls Out of County Landfill : Revenue: The county could lose up to $12 million a year if Anaheim Disposal quits Olinda facility for one in West Covina.

One of Orange County’s largest waste haulers has pulled much of its business out of a county-run landfill, forcing the county to impose an emergency hiring freeze and consider raising fees as it scrambles to make up a projected $12-million yearly loss.

“This is a big chunk of money,” said Frank J. Bowerman, director and chief engineer of the county’s Integrated Waste Management Department. “It’s created quite a problem for us.”

Vincent Taormina, chief executive officer of Anaheim Disposal, said his firm recently began hauling garbage from thousands of homes in Anaheim, Brea, Garden Grove, Yorba Linda and Placentia to a private landfill in West Covina in an experiment to see if costs can be reduced.

The switch, which Orange County officials said took them by surprise, is believed to be the first case of a county waste hauler taking garbage across county lines and dumping it. Orange County does not allow haulers from other counties to dump garbage in its landfills.

Until recently, Anaheim Disposal was dumping about 2,500 tons of garbage a day at the Olinda landfill near Brea. County officials say their latest figures show that about 2,000 tons--or about 80%--is now being routed to BKK landfill in West Covina, adding that Anaheim Disposal officials have indicated they might increase that amount to 90%.

“We are experimenting with an alternative landfill so that we can keep our opportunities open,” Taormina said. “I can see how their (the county’s) budget would be impacted, but hopefully, in the end, everything will work out well.”

Orange County charges waste haulers $22.75 per ton of garbage dumped at the Olinda landfill. BKK’s posted fee is $25.50 per ton. Taormina would not comment on what special arrangements his company has made with BKK.

The Anaheim Disposal idea enjoys some local support, as some officials welcome a move that would reduce the pressure on Orange County landfills. But others worry that it will disrupt government planning for waste disposal and could even play a key role in a controversial landfill and jail debate.

According to supporters of the switch, losing Anaheim Disposal’s business would have some bonuses for Orange County: In addition to extending the life of the Olinda landfill, the switch could help the county meet its waste-reduction goals. It also could delay the need for an additional north county landfill.

One site under consideration for that landfill is Gypsum Canyon, where the county has also proposed to build a jail. The city of Anaheim, however, supports construction of a housing development on the canyon property, which is owned by the Irvine Co.

Supervisor Don R. Roth, an opponent of the Gypsum Canyon jail, said he believed the county might benefit from having the company send its business elsewhere.

“The reduction of material in the landfills is something that’s to be worked for,” Roth said. Besides, “I think that if he (Taormina) can get a better deal, why shouldn’t he?”

But the switch would cost the county about $12 million yearly in lost gate fees at the Olinda landfill, Bowerman said. It also would add to air pollution and traffic woes, and play havoc with the government’s long-term waste-disposal planning, officials added.

“I’m concerned about this because it was unanticipated,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Gaddi H. Vasquez. “When you develop and you plan, suddenly shifting in an unprecedented way--that has implications for the whole system.”

Bowerman said he is considering asking the Board of Supervisors to hike the gate fees at Olinda landfill to cover the loss of Anaheim Disposal revenue. That would probably translate into higher trash-collection fees for some county residents.

Bowerman added that the combination of the Anaheim Disposal move and other budget cutbacks in the waste department have forced him in the past few days to suspend all purchases of new equipment. New programs also are being deferred wherever possible, and all hiring has been frozen, he said.

In addition, air quality officials expressed concern about the company’s plan to put more than 100 large trucks on the highways every day to haul Orange County waste to West Covina.

“If you can keep truck traffic down, that helps reduce emissions,” said Paula Levy, a spokeswoman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District. “If you’re hauling it further, that makes things worse.”

Taormina said that his firm would review the success of its West Covina program in 30 to 60 days, and would look at air-quality issues at that time. In addition, he said, company officials will study the effects of any decision on the county budget and on the firm’s own operations.

“We’ll give this a thorough review,” he said. “Hopefully, we can see if there are alternatives that work well for everyone.”