Southern California dry cleaner dumped highly toxic materials in L.A. County

The owner of a now-defunct Ventura County dry cleaning operation has been ordered to pay more than $30,000 for dumping 110 gallons of hazardous waste in Los Angeles County, officials announced this week.  

In a news release, prosecutors with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said Shija Cho, former owner of Unique Cleaners at 2307 East Main Street, dumped two 55-gallon drums labeled “hazardous waste” in a Reseda alleyway in July 2024, about a month after Unique Cleaners was shuttered.  

One of the abandoned barrels of toxic materials contained perchloroethylene, a dry cleaning solvent regulated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, while the second barrel contained used filters and sludge from the dry cleaning operation.  

“Laboratory analysis confirmed that the contents were hazardous under both state and federal laws due to toxicity levels that far exceeded regulatory thresholds,” officials said.  

Prosecutors presented evidence, including interviews, photos, lab reports and hazardous waste manifests that showed the toxic materials were not handled by licensed hazardous waste haulers, were illegally and improperly transported and abandoned in Reseda. 

In a settlement reached with Cho this month, the dry cleaner will pay $32,065 in civil penalties and costs, as well as ensure compliance with hazardous waste laws at a new dry cleaning operation in Camarillo.  

“Our office is committed to protecting public health and the environment by holding businesses accountable for the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials,” DA Erik Nasarenko said. “This case reinforces the responsibility business owners have to manage toxic waste responsibly, from generation to final disposal.” 

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