For more than ten years, residents near the SLD Landfill on Zemel Road in Punta Gorda have dealt with a smell they describe as raw sewage. Some call the site “trash mountain” and plan their routes to avoid driving past it. This month, the fight picked up official momentum.
The Florida DEP found the landfill violated permit requirements for odor control and cited it for construction without valid permits. Owner Waste Connections says crews monitor odors daily, cover problem areas with soil or mulch, and have added a mobile misting system. Neighbors like Kim Kitko, who leads Homeowners Against Landfill Odors, say those efforts haven’t brought relief. Both Lee and Charlotte county commissioners have now sent letters to SLD and the DEP requesting compliance and more oversight. The landfill declined to allow WINK News on its property and would not comment.
The site sits about a mile from the Lee County line, which explains why two counties are involved rather than one. What remains open is enforcement: whether citations from the state and letters from commissioners translate into lasting change for the residents who’ve lived with this for a decade. Have you dealt with odors near the landfill? Share your experience in the comments.
