📍 Overview
Grower’s Market LLC, doing business as AZ Green Guys, has been ordered to shut down its composting operation in Laveen, Arizona, by March 1, 2025. The business—linked to persistent, overwhelming odors—faces $1,000 daily fines and a civil nuisance lawsuit from Maricopa County.
The composting site, located near 51st Avenue and Southern, has drawn over a year of complaints from frustrated residents who say the smell is ruining their quality of life.
🔗 Official Website: www.azgreenguys.com
🏢 About the Business and Owner
-
Business Name: Grower’s Market, LLC
-
Also Known As: AZ Green Guys
-
Owner: Larry Pacheco
-
Type: Organic mulch and composting facility
The business promotes itself as a provider of eco-friendly green waste recycling services, but residents say the “stinky situation” has gone too far.
"We’re trying to be good neighbors, but this has gone on long enough," said local residents during city and county meetings.
(Source: FOX 10 Phoenix)
💥 Enforcement Actions Escalate
Phoenix and Maricopa County officials have united in an aggressive effort to shut down the operation:
-
$1,000 daily fines issued by the City of Phoenix since December 2024
-
Cease-and-desist notice issued after the facility failed to comply with odor mitigation rules
-
Civil nuisance lawsuit filed by Maricopa County in January 2025
-
Shutdown deadline: March 1, 2025
“We are sending a strong message: No business can pollute the air and make families suffer without consequences,” said county attorneys.
(Source: AZ Family)
👃 Community Impact
For over a year, families in Laveen Village and south Phoenix have reported unbearable odors like rotting waste or sewage, making it impossible to enjoy:
-
Backyards and patios
-
Local parks and walking trails
-
Open windows or ventilation
-
Safe air near schools and daycare centers
Reported health impacts include:
-
Headaches
-
Nausea
-
Dizziness
-
Irritability and sleep loss
“It smells like death—every morning, every evening. We didn’t sign up for this when we bought our homes,” said one homeowner.
📆 Timeline of Enforcement
Date | Action |
---|---|
Mid-2023 | First odor complaints begin |
Summer 2024 | Warnings and city inspections issued |
Dec 2024 | City begins issuing $1,000 daily fines |
Jan 8, 2025 | Maricopa County files nuisance lawsuit |
Jan 2025 | Cease-and-desist order formally served |
March 1, 2025 | Mandatory shutdown deadline enforced by city and county |
🛑 Legal and Environmental Violations
AZ Green Guys failed to:
-
Implement effective odor control systems
-
Maintain compliance with zoning regulations
-
Abide by environmental codes under city and county laws
Despite outreach and prior warnings, the business continued operating without addressing the health and environmental impacts.
🔄 What Happens Next?
Phoenix officials have stated that if the business fails to close:
-
Fines may escalate
-
Legal injunctions could be enforced
-
Authorities may forcibly remove operations
-
The property may be barred from future composting use
In addition, the city is considering alternative green waste strategies that do not compromise public health.
📝 Conclusion
The shutdown of AZ Green Guys (Grower’s Market LLC) marks a major victory for Laveen residents who have long demanded accountability. With mounting legal pressure, rising fines, and united public support, Phoenix and Maricopa County have taken a clear stand: no business has the right to poison the air for its neighbors.
Enter your text here ...