Public Works Department Banner, This link takes you back to home page

Recycling & Solid Waste Menu

 

 

Recycling: It's the Law

On June 21, 2005 the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted to ban the disposal of recyclable materials as garbage in the County’s Buena Vista Landfill and created new requirements for County residents and businesses to recycle. Provisions of the landfill ban and mandatory recycling ordinance are found in the County Code Title 7, Chapter 7.20.

The purpose of these actions is to extend the lifespan of the Buena Vista Landfill and to recover valuable resources.

Since January 1, 2006, the following materials cannot be disposed of as garbage in the Buena Vista Landfill or at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station. When discarded, they can be recycled at both locations.

These Materials are Banned from Landfill Disposal and MUST BE RECYCLED:

Aluminum Cans, Trays and Foil

Tin Cans

Corrugated Cardboard

Steel Cans

Office Paper

Scrap Metal: including white goods and appliances

Mixed Waste Paper*: including junk mail, catalogues, paperboard, brown paper, paper grocery bags, colored paper, construction paper, writing pad backings, cereal and similar food boxes

*available when recycling market exists

Rigid Plastic Containers Marked #1 and #2

Computer Paper

Used motor oil and used automotive antifreeze

Container Glass

Oil filters

Electronic Waste: including monitors, televisions

Household and auto batteries

Concrete and Asphalt

Yard waste and wood waste

Gypsum Board

Tires

Mattresses

 

 

Since January 1, 2006, this ordinance has prohibited placement of recyclables in refuse containers in the unincorporated county area.  Other materials not banned, but currently recyclable at County disposal sites, include: Plastic Bags and Film Plastic, Hard Plastic Products and Packaging.

 

Information on recycling collection, drop-off and other options can be obtained by calling 454-2160.

 

2024 Holiday Schedule

Buena Vista Location 

1231 Buena Vista Dr.,
Watsonville, CA

(831) 454-2430 or
(831) 454-5153

County Landfill
Open every Mon.,

Tues., Thurs.,
Fri., & Sat.
7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Open every Wed.,
7:30 am - 2:30 pm

Buena Vista Household
Hazardous Waste
Open every Wed.,
7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Open every Fri., & Sat.
7:30 am - 3:30 pm

(831) 454-2606


Ben Lomond Location 

9835 Newell Creek Rd.,
Ben Lomond, CA

(831) 454-2430 or

(831) 454-3951

 

County Transfer Station
Open every Mon.,

Tues., Thurs.,
Fri., & Sat.
7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Open every Wed.,
7:30 am - 2:30 pm

Ben Lomond Household Hazardous Waste
Open every Thurs.
7:30 am - 3:30 pm

(831) 454-2606


Other Household Hazardous Waste 

City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility
Open every Sat.
7:30 am - 3:30 pm

605 Dimeo Lane
Santa Cruz, CA

(831) 420-6270


Santa Cruz County
Solid Waste & Recycling
Main Office

701 Ocean St., Room 410
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 454-2160

Email Public Works