The County of Santa Cruz announced a new website dedicated to reducing illegal dumping throughout Santa Cruz County.
Illegal dumping can have negative consequences to neighborhoods and the environment, can become breeding grounds for pests and diseases and has significant financial penalties for violators.
The new site — http://www.stopdumping.us — provides residents with information about illegal dumping, including multi-jurisdictional information on reporting illegal dumping, links to download mobile apps allowing residents to report dumping through their phones, information about scheduling curbside collections of bulky items, a list of approved refuse haulers, and a form to report illegal dumping.
At its Buena Vista Landfill and Ben Lomond Transfer Station sites, the County accepts recycled materials including Styrofoam, cans, cardboard/paper, metal items, books and CDs/DVDs, batteries, eWaste and household electronics and more. Household hazardous waste is also accepted. Check dpw.santacruzcounty.us for hours.
Used mattresses are accepted at no cost. Construction debris and tires are accepted for a small fee. County ordinances also provide for the collections of sharps and unused prescription medications. Check your local pharmacy for more. The County also maintains its own cleanup crews, and recently contracted with the Downtown Streets Team to conduct cleanups of North Coast beaches.
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Santa Cruz County’s award-winning recycling and solid waste programs have been recognized throughout the country, garnering a 2011 California Green Cities Award, a 2012 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, a 2013 National Association of Counties Achievement Award and a 2016 California Resource Recovery Association award for Outstanding Recycling Program.