A South L.A. recycling plant accused of spewing toxic waste and lead onto the grounds of a nearby high school was ordered shut down on Monday, a major victory for community activists and student groups who have been fighting against the facility for two decades.
L.A. County Superior Court Judge Terry Bork said S&W Atlas Iron & Metal can no longer accept or process new materials, “essentially shutting it down,” according to Zara Lockshin, a spokeswoman for the L.A. County district attorney’s office.
The move came days after Bork jailed the plant’s owners, Matthew and Gary Weisenberg, for repeated violations of a court order.
The plant and its owners were charged in 2023 for 23 counts of failing to properly dispose of hazardous waste and two counts of failing to minimize the risk of exposure or fire. The Watts plant has operated next door to Jordan High School for about 70 years. Prosecutors allege the plant has exposed students at Jordan High School to several explosions, metal projectiles and lead levels nearly 75 times higher than what federal regulators deem safe.
After an explosion on the Atlas grounds left Jordan students jarred on the first day of school last year, a judge set bail conditions for the Weisenbergs that limited the types of canisters the plant could process.
But an investigation by the California Dept. of Toxic Substances found containers of acetylene, a highly flammable gas, on site earlier this month. Prosecutors asked Bork to rescind the Weisenbergs’ bail, and Bork agreed.
During a hearing Monday, Bork set new bail conditions mandating weekly inspections of the plant by investigators from the Dept. of Toxic Substances. If the plant wants to reopen, it must seek approval from Bork to do so, according to the district attorney’s office spokeswoman.
“For years, Atlas Metals has put our community at risk without a second thought. Today, the judge showed them that they are not above the law,” Genesis Cruz, a former Jordan High School student, said in a statement. “No more business as usual. Watts has paid the price for their greed for too long, and this decision shows that their days of running unchecked are coming to an end.”
In an e-mail to The Times, defense attorney Benjamin Gluck said the company “will continue its efforts to be a good neighbor and member of the community.”
“We disagree with the District Attorney’s characterization of Atlas, but we welcome direction from the Court and will comply with it,” Gluck wrote.
Bork set bail for Matthew Weisenberg, 37, at $1 million. His father, Gary Weisenberg, 78, was ordered held in lieu of $100,000. It was not immediately clear whether either man posted bond as of Monday afternoon.
The Weisenbergs are due back in court on March 28.