Solid Waste & Recycling

The City is committed to cleanliness and waste reduction by facilitating trash and recycling collection. To uphold this commitment, the City contracts with a private hauler who provides our residents and commercial businesses with trash, recycling and yard waste collection.

GreenWaste RecoveryGWR logo

Email: santacruzcs@greenwaste.com 
Phone: (831) 426-2711

See GreenWaste Recovery's website for information on what services are available in Scotts Valley

Solid Waste Resources & Links

CalRecycle - California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) brings together the state's recycling and waste management programs and continues a tradition of environmental stewardship. 

Composting - The current waste hauler does not offer residential composting pick up, but you can compost at home! 

GreenWaste Recovery - GreenWaste Recovery provides trash, recycling and yard waste collection. If you have questions regarding collection dates, bin replacement, what to recycle or service changes, please contact GreenWaste at (831) 920-6707.

Recycling Information – Residential Recycling Guide from GreenWaste Recovery

Mattress Recycling - Mattresses can be recycled for free at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station, 9835 Newell Creek Road, Ben Lomond. (831) 336-3951. Hours: Mon - Sat, 7:30 - 3:30. Mattress and box springs only; no futons, crib mattresses, or foam toppers.

Med Project - provides information for medicine, sharps (i.e. needles) and medical waste generated in residential households. Medical waste generated at households must be properly disposed to prevent the exposure of the public to pathogens that may be present in blood and bodily fluids and to prevent chemicals in waste medications from entering the environment.

Sharps waste can include: needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications.
Pharmaceutical or medicine waste can include: any type of medication no longer needed for use or expired. This can include over-the-counter (OTC) medications (i.e. Aspirin) or medications prescribed by a doctor.

Monterey Bay Green Business Program  - The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program is a successful partnership of environmental agencies, utilities and nonprofit organizations that assist, recognize and promote businesses and government agencies that volunteer to operate in a more environmentally responsible way.


Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

HHW

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) includes waste – chemical and solid – generated incidental to maintaining a residence, small business, vehicle and yard. It carries labels which indicate that it is harmful to humans, animals and/or the environment. 

Household Hazardous Waste also includes other types of regulated waste: 

  • Universal Waste (batteries, fluorescent bulbs, items with mercury, etc.) 
  • Electronic waste (computers, televisions, cell phones, etc.) 
  • Health Care Products (medications & sharps) 

It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the trash, storm drains, or sewer. 

Some items are eligible for curbside pick up with GreenWaste Recovery. Please see the see the Single-Family Recycle Guide  for more information or call 831-426-2711.

Santa Cruz County Household Hazardous Waste Program accepts HHW at several locations throughout Santa Cruz County.

Click Here or call the Santa Cruz County Household Hazardous Waste Program at 831-454-2606 for a complete list of acceptable items, hours and locations.

Commercial Recycling Regulations

businesstrash

California Assembly Bill 341 - Mandatory Commercial Recycling

California Assembly Bill (AB) 341 requires all businesses that generate four or more cubic yards of garbage per week and multi-family dwellings with five or more units to recycle. Businesses include, but are not limited to, office buildings, retail, restaurants, nonprofits, and strip malls. Multi-family dwellings include apartment buildings and attached single-family dwellings such as townhouses and condominiums, and mobile home parks, in which the units do not receive separate or individual solid waste collection service.

Subscribing to recyclable materials collection services through the City’s contracted waste hauler will help ensure compliance with AB341 and can even help reduce collection costs.

For more information see:

CalRecycle- Mandatory Commercial Recycling

California Assembly Bill 1826 - Mandatory Organics Recycling

California Assembly Bill 1826 (AB1826) was signed into law in 2014, mandating organics recycling for businesses in California. By 2020, all businesses in California producing 4 cubic yards or more of garbage per week are required to subscribe to organic material collection services.

For more information see:

CalRecycle - Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling