Stockton, CA — San Joaquin County (County) announced last Tuesday that the Foothill Sanitary Landfill (Foothill) will begin a phased, long-term closure starting in early 2026, following a Board of Supervisors authorization to consolidate landfill operations and redirect customers to more efficient solid waste facilities.

Beginning January 10, 2026, Foothill will discontinue acceptance of solid waste from public self-haul customers, with full operational closure anticipated by mid-2026 once the current landfill module reaches capacity. Licensed residential and commercial waste haulers will receive a minimum of 60 days’ notice prior to the final shutdown of operations.

This decision follows a multi-year strategic review aimed at strengthening the County’s long-term solid waste sustainability. In 2023, an independent Strategic Plan and Needs Assessment found that suspending operations at Foothill and consolidating landfill disposal at the North County Recycling Center and Sanitary Landfill (North County) would reduce annual operating costs and generate approximately $80 million in savings over the next 15 years.

“The Board is committed to ensuring that our solid waste services remain financially responsible, environmentally compliant, and accessible for all San Joaquin County residents,” said San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair Paul Canepa. “The long-term closure of Foothill Sanitary Landfill is a strategic and forward-looking decision that protects taxpayer dollars and prepares our County for future infrastructure needs. This is about smart planning and responsible stewardship.”

In preparation for the transition, the California-approved permit revision for North County now allows increased capacity—up to 4,000 tons per day and 1,200 vehicles daily. An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), adopted by the Board in June 2025, confirmed that the operational changes would not create significant environmental impacts with required mitigations in place.

The phased closure will occur as follows:

• January 10, 2026:
  • Public self-haul services at Foothill end; self-haul customers will be redirected to North County.
  • Site access restricted to licensed residential and commercial waste haulers.
    • Operating days reduced to Monday–Friday.
• Mid-2026 (estimated):
  • Foothill stops accepting waste from licensed haulers following a 60-day written notification.
  • All disposal services transition to North County.
• Mid-2027 (estimated):
  • Required regulatory pre-closure activities and long-term closure implementation begin.

Public Works emphasized that all communities currently served by Foothill will continue to have access to a solid waste facility within 20 miles. For many households and businesses, North County is closer than Foothill, reducing travel times for a majority of users. The Lovelace Materials Recovery Facility and Transfer Station, open seven days a week, will also remain available as an alternative disposal location.

“We understand that changes like this can raise questions, and our priority is to make this transition as smooth and transparent as possible for residents and haulers,” said Public Works Director Fritz Buchman. “By consolidating services at North County, we can significantly reduce operational costs, extend the life of our infrastructure, and strengthen the County’s ability to invest in future waste management facilities. This is a major step toward long-term sustainability.”

Public Works will launch a comprehensive community outreach campaign to ensure residents and businesses are fully aware of the upcoming changes. Notifications will be issued through local newspapers, social media, County websites, and on-site signage at Foothill and affiliated facilities.

Suspending operations at Foothill and consolidating landfill services at North County is expected to save the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund approximately $5.3 million annually, totaling $80 million over 15 years. These savings will help build reserves needed for future infrastructure while maintaining fiscal responsibility without impacting the County General Fund.

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