Reducing solid waste and recycling directly help address global climate change. The extraction of raw materials, manufacture, transportation, use, and disposal of products all result in greenhouse gas emissions. Many City and other local resources are available to help you cut the amount of garbage you create.

CITY RESOURCES
For detailed information on the resources listed below, visit: http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=144

Curbside Recycling- Comprehensive recycling program available with garbage service. Click the link above to find out what you can put in your cart.

Greenwaste Recycling- Recycle the following items curbside: leaves and pine needles, plants, brush, and grass clippings, prunings and branches (less than 2 feet long and 6 inch diameter), unpainted/untreated lumber (less than 2 feet long and 6 inch diameter) in a cart that comes with your garbage service.

Drop-Off Recycling- We accept many materials for free at our resource recovery facility located at 605 Dimeo Lane, which intersects Highway 1 about 3 miles north of the City limits. Click on the link above for detailed information.

Household Hazardous Waste Recycling- Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW), such as paints, solvents, pool chemicals, cleaners and polishes, automotive additives, pesticides, fertilizers, art supplies, and other items containing toxic materials, should be kept in their original, labeled, sealed containers. The HHW Drop-Off Center at our resource recovery facility is open on Saturdays only, 7:30am-3:30pm.

Electronics Recycling- Donate working computer monitors, televisions, and other electronics to a thrift store or non-profit. Computer monitors and TVs can be picked up curbside (by appointment) during May and November Appliance Pickup Days. The resource recovery facility accepts monitors, TVs, and other electronics at no charge, Monday-Saturday, 7:30-3:30.

Battery Recycling- Store household batteries in a plastic container or zippered plastic bag. Batteries are accepted at no charge at the resource recovery facility, Monday-Saturday, 7:30-3:30. There are drop-off locations at City libraries, City Hall, Louden Nelson Center, and Water Department Customer Service. Stores selling rechargeable batteries normally accept spent rechargeables at no charge.

Fluorescent Light Recycling- Fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent bulbs, high-density discharge bulbs, metal halide bulbs, and sodium or neon bulbs should be put into the box or container that held the replacement bulb or taped together and wrapped in padding such as newspaper so they don’t break. Tubes and bulbs are accepted at no charge at the resource recovery facility, Monday-Saturday, 7:30am-3:30pm as well as at Ace Hardware, GreenSpace, ProBuild, Orchard Supply Hardware, Scarborough Lumber, Ben Lomond Transfer Station, and Buena Vista Landfill.

Medication and Needle Recycling- Place outdated or unwanted medications into a sealed plastic bag. Place needles and other sharps into an approved, red sharps container (available from your pharmacy or online). Drop-off sites are Bruce’s Medical Plaza, Horsnyder’s Pharmacy, and Westside Pharmacy. The City Police Station has a drop-off for medications only. The resource recovery facility accepts medications and needles on Saturdays only, 7:30am-3:30pm.

Rigid Plastics Recycling- Rigid plastics, such as chairs, toys, buckets, and storage tubs, should be dropped off at the resource recovery facility for recycling, Monday-Saturday, 7:30am-3:30pm.

Appliances and Holiday Tree Pick Up- There are days during which you can set these items out at the curb for pick up.

Composting Bin Rebate Program- We will take $40 off your bill when you purchase a compost bin, worm bin or any of the accessories from our website or when you purchase a City approved bin at The Garden Company 2218 Mission St, Greenspace 1123 Soquel Ave. or ProBuild Garden Center 235 River St.

“One Person’s Trash” - This quarterly newsletter is your City of Santa Cruz guide to reducing, reusing and recycling. Find the current and back issues on our website.

School Recycling & Waste Reduction Program- This program assists schools with developing and maintaining recycling programs and waste reduction strategies.

OTHER LOCAL RESOURCES
Freecycle- (http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/SantaCruzCountyFreecycle/)- The goal of this group is to reduce waste by connecting people who are throwing away items with others who are seeking the same items. Since this is a FREEcycle list, ALL items must be 100% FREE of charge.

Ecology Action-(http://www.ecoact.org/Programs/Zero_Waste/index.htm)

Yellow Pages- Pull out recycling guide for all residents of Santa Cruz County.

Costco Redemption Center- Recycling center for redemption bottles and cans located at 220 Sylvania Ave in Santa Cruz.

Protect Your Central Coast (http://protectyourcentralcoast.org/)- Central Coast recycling information resource.

New American Dream Junkmail Reduction (http://www.newdream.org/junkmail/)- One of many organizations that can help you reduce your junkmail.