YCCL opened its gates on July 14, 1975, at which time its sole purpose was to provide a regional solution to waste disposal. Over the last 50 years, Yolo County has invested in innovative infrastructure, expanded recycling and composting operations, and prioritizing the top of the waste hierarchy in waste reduction through initiatives like the Big Blue Barn Thrift Store and by supporting numerous Extended Producer Responsibility legislative efforts.
鈥淎t 50, our emphasis has shifted to what legacy we want to leave behind,鈥� stated District 3 Yolo County Board of Supervisors, Chair Mary Vixie-Sandy. 鈥淓ven though the landfill still has 99 years of capacity left, we still plan to continue to grow in the areas of environmental sustainability and materials management, making this not just one of the best landfills in California but in the nation.鈥�
A half-century in business means we have employees spanning multiple generations and have partnerships with haulers that equally have stood the test of time. In particular, we have been working with WM (previously Waste Management, Inc.) in the cities of West Sacramento, Winters, Woodland and unincorporated Yolo County and with Recology (previously Davis Waste Removal) in Davis for all five decades. As continued partners in the community and essential to waste collection operations in our municipalities, both haulers will be participating at the July 19 event by bringing representatives to answer questions about their waste diversion programs and showcase their vehicles for a family-friendly Touch-a-Truck event.
For the first 20 years of operation Lloyd Roberts, John Robertson and John Joyce were at the helm of the operation where the primary focus remained on disposal. However, in 1989 with the passing of the statewide Integrated Waste Management Act, also known as Assembly Bill (AB) 939, things started to shift from waste disposal to waste diversion. Yolo County began the closure process on many old burn dumps, developed a Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP) and implemented major changes including the development of a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program for proper separation of toxic waste from the landfill.
Beginning in the early 2000鈥檚, treated wood waste was classified as hazardous, reshaping construction and demolition (C&D) debris disposal and increasing penalties for illegal dumping under AB 1802, which highlighted the environmental harm caused by waste along roadsides and waterways. From 2005 to 2019, Linda Sinderson led efforts to establish a C&D recovery facility and ordinance, as well as franchised solid waste services that brought curbside recycling to previously underserved unincorporated areas of Yolo County. From 2019-2022, Ramin Yazdani, who previously served as the Solid Waste Division Manager/Chief County Engineer in the late 1990s, advanced research and development in Anaerobic Digestion, Bioreactor Landfill Modules, an In-Vessel Digester, and a partnership that brought the region鈥檚 current state-of-the-art Covered Aerated Static Pile (CASP) compost facility to the landfill.
Since 2022, under the leadership of Director Marissa Juhler, the Integrated Waste Management Division has surpassed most landfills in the state in meeting Senate Bill (SB) 1383 goals. Achievements include launching an Edible Food Recovery program in partnership with the Yolo Food Bank, Esparto Community Church, and Mercy Coalition; developing carton recycling in schools; opening of the Blue Barn thrift store; implementing an out-of-county tip fee surcharge to help offset greenhouse gas emissions from waste transport; and breaking ground on a 466 kW solar farm that will offset 96% of the landfill鈥檚 energy needs. Looking ahead, a new gas to energy facility is planned for 2026 to enhance methane capture and energy production.
鈥淭o be a part of something so much bigger than myself is extremely rewarding,鈥� said Director of Integrated Waste Management Division, Marissa Juhler. 鈥淵olo County has a long history of landfill directors that continually worked toward the common goal of bringing their area of expertise to the table. We鈥檙e proud to continue turning our landfill into a regional hub for sustainability. We have many employees that have stayed within the Division for 15, 20 and even 30 years. It鈥檚 a family out here at the landfill and we take immense pride in the work we do for our constituents and the environment each day.鈥�
Jeff Kieffer, Principal Civil Engineer at YCCL, is currently our most tenured employee at 25 years of service says, 鈥淭here is never a dull day at the landfill. Since 1997, we have helped serve over 2 million customers through our scale house and believe our landfill model will continue to make YCCL a full-service facility, taking care of customers needs, whether it be disposal, recycling or reuse.鈥�