On June 21, 2005 the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted to ban the disposal of recyclable materials in the County’s Buena Vista Landfill and created new requirements for County residents and businesses to recycle. The landfill ban and mandatory recycling provisions are 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 in the Buena Vista Landfill or at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station. They can be recycled at both locations.

Banned materials are:

Newspaper Cardboard Office Paper Mixed Waste Paper including junk mail, catalogues, paperboard, egg cartons, phone books, brown paper, paper grocery bags, colored paper, construction paper, envelopes, writing pad backings, shoe boxes, cereal and similar food boxes Computer Paper Magazines Aseptic Packaging Milk and Juice Cartons Container Glass Aluminum Cans, Trays and Foil		Tin Cans Steel Cans Scrap Metal including white goods and appliances Rigid Plastic Containers Marked # 1 through 7 Used motor oil and used automotive Oil Filters Household and auto batteries Yard waste and wood waste Tires Mattresses Electronic Waste including monitors, televisions Concrete, Asphalt, Tile and Porcelain Gypsum Board
Other materials not banned, but currently recyclable, include: Carpet Pad and Foam, Plastic Bags and Film Plastic, Hard Plastic Products and Packaging

Since January 1, 2006, this ordinance has prohibited placement of recyclables in
refuse containers in the unincorporated county area.

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