Costa Mesa City Council Approves Landfill Rate Hike

The city reluctantly accepts higher fees to use Orange County's waste facilities.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A high-end studio still life photograph featuring a polished metal trash can, a sleek recycling bin, and a smooth concrete block arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract corporate strategy and financial challenges behind rising landfill costs.As Orange County cities grapple with escalating landfill disposal fees, the business of waste management faces growing financial pressures.Costa Mesa Today

The Costa Mesa City Council has unanimously voted to renew a 10-year agreement with Orange County's Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise (WISE), which includes a significant increase in the rates waste haulers must pay to use the county's landfills. The rate will jump from $43.76 per ton to $67 per ton this year, rising to $81 per ton by 2028. The higher fees are largely due to the upcoming closure of the Olinda Alpha Landfill in Brea, requiring costly expansions of the county's other two landfills.

Why it matters

The landfill rate hike will lead to higher garbage hauling costs for Costa Mesa residents and businesses, as the increased fees are passed on by waste management companies. This reflects a broader trend across Orange County as municipalities grapple with the rising costs of waste infrastructure. The situation highlights the need for communities to find ways to reduce overall landfill waste in order to mitigate the financial impact.

The details

Costa Mesa Council members voted reluctantly to renew the 10-year WISE agreement, acknowledging they were being 'strong armed' into the deal due to the lack of affordable alternatives. The rate for using the county's landfills will increase from the current $43.76 per ton to $67 per ton in 2026, $74 per ton in 2027, and $81 per ton starting in 2028. Rates for cities without a WISE contract will be even higher, jumping from $92.70 to $110.77 per ton. The hikes are driven by the impending closure of the Olinda Alpha Landfill and the need to expand the Prima Deshecha and Frank R. Bowerman landfills.

  • The current WISE agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2026.
  • The new landfill rates of $67 per ton will take effect starting in 2026.
  • Rates will increase to $74 per ton in 2027 and $81 per ton in 2028.

The players

Costa Mesa City Council

The governing body of the city of Costa Mesa, California that voted to renew the WISE agreement with Orange County despite the significant rate hikes.

Orange County Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise (WISE)

The county-managed system that operates the regional landfills and sets the rates for cities to use the facilities.

Olinda Alpha Landfill

A landfill in Brea, California that is nearing capacity and will be closed, requiring costly expansions of the county's other two landfills.

Prima Deshecha Landfill

One of the two remaining landfills in Orange County that will undergo expansion to accommodate the region's waste after the closure of the Olinda Alpha Landfill.

Frank R. Bowerman Landfill

The other remaining landfill in Orange County that will be expanded to handle increased waste volume after the Olinda Alpha Landfill closes.

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What they’re saying

“We're basically being strong armed into this agreement. Otherwise, you're going to pay heavily.”

— Loren Gameros, Councilmember

“As unfortunate as the increase is, it is the best deal we can get. Because the alternative is spending more money to go farther away.”

— Manuel Chavez, Mayor Pro Tem

“These rates are dollars per ton. So there are opportunities to reduce your costs by reducing your waste.”

— Arlis Reynolds, Councilmember

What’s next

The new WISE agreement and landfill rate hikes will take effect on July 1, 2026 when the current contract expires. Costa Mesa and other Orange County cities will need to find ways to reduce overall waste sent to landfills in order to mitigate the financial impact of the higher disposal fees.

The takeaway

The landfill rate increases in Costa Mesa and across Orange County highlight the growing challenges municipalities face in managing waste infrastructure costs. As landfills reach capacity, cities are being forced to accept higher fees or explore more expensive alternatives, underscoring the need for comprehensive waste reduction strategies to control rising garbage hauling expenses for residents and businesses.