The community of Watts is getting a breath of fresh air.
That after Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced this week that Atlas Iron and Metal Corp. has pleaded no contest to five felony counts of hazardous waste disposal at an unpermitted site, resulting in the immediate and permanent closure of all operations on its premises.
The facility is located in the South Los Angeles/Watts area and is adjacent to Jordan High School and the Jordan Downs Housing Development. The privately held metal recycling facility has been in business since 1949, processing scrap metal and electronic waste. Despite its long-standing presence, the facility’s operations increasingly violated environmental and safety regulations as far back as 2017.
“This outcome shuts down a dangerous facility that has threatened this community for more than 75 years. Today, Watts is safer and the children and educators at Jordan High School can now breathe easier — literally and figuratively,” said Hochman.
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said the closure marks more than the permanent closure of a toxic metals recycling plant — it marks the end of a decades-long injustice.
“This company prioritized profits over the community’s well-being for far too long, and this shutdown presents a welcome reprieve,” said Carvalho. “Let this decision send a crystal-clear message: The safety of our schools and communities is not negotiable, and no company is above the law. Thank you to District Attorney Hochman for all your efforts in bringing the case to a successful end, and to all who fought for this community. While we celebrate the outcome together, we are adamant that this should never happen again, in any school district, anywhere.”
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said that his department is proud to work with community members and regional partners to protect public health.
“In coordination with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, our Health Hazardous Materials Division investigators conducted soil sampling at the Jordan High School property adjacent to the Atlas Metals property,” Marrone said. “Based on the findings from the search warrant and sampling activities, a Notice of Violation was issued citing significant hazardous waste violations. An enforcement case was prepared and referred to the District Attorney’s Office.”
In addition to closing the Alameda Street property, the agreement mandates that Atlas pay $1 million in restitution to the Los Angeles Unified School District, $850,000 to be distributed among the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the Los Angeles County Fire Health Hazardous Materials Division, and $150,000 in fines and penalties.
Hochman said the court case brought the company to justice, proving once again that enforcing environmental laws protects residents.
“We will relentlessly pursue any business that poisons our neighborhoods. Let this be a warning — if you break the law and put public health at risk, we will hold you accountable,” said Hochman.
