Recycling Center

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Location and Hours:
The Recycling Center is located at 605 Dimeo Lane, which intersects Highway 1 about 3 miles north of the City limits. The facility is open Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and closed on Sundays, with the following exceptions:

  • Closed Thanksgiving Day
  • Closes at 12 noon on December 24 (Christmas Eve)
  • Closed all day December 25 (Christmas Day)
  • Closes at 12 noon on December 31 (New Year’s Eve)
  • Closed all day January 1 (New Year’s Day)

Note: Some items are accepted for recycling, when delivered to the Recycling Center but are not accepted in the blue curbside carts. The Recycling Center accepts the following items FREE of charge.

Green Check  paper  and Fiber
     Green Check   Containers  
  • Paper (White and all colors)
  • Brochures and flyers
  • Envelopes
    (windows and stamps OK)
  • Junk mail
    (remove any plastic)
  • Newspaper
    (No need to bag or bundle, no plastic bags or rubber bands) 
  • Magazines, catalogs, phone books
    (no need to bag or bundle)
  • Paperboard
    (cereal boxes, beer and soda packs, shoe boxes, egg cartons)
  • Paper bags (all colors)
  • Corrugated cardboard - No waxed
    (large amounts accepted, no need to bundle)
  • Books- Remove hard and soft cover

 

 

  • Glass bottles and jars  - all colors
    (beer, wine, soda, juice, food, etc.)
    Rinse clean, remove caps, lids, corks; paper labels OK.
  • Metal cans - Keep loose, do not place in a bag. 
    (aluminum, tin, steel, bi-metal, food-aerosol) Rinse clean, paper labels OK.
  • Aluminum - (cans, pie plates, trays, foil wrap)
    Must be clean. Flatten and fold foil.
  • Plastic bottles, jugs, jars and tubs
    Rinse clean, replace caps and lids.               
  • Plastic bags and plastic film (clean, dry, and stretchable) Bag and tie!  Remember to always Bag Your Bags!         

    RIGID PLASTICS **

  • 5 gallon buckets **
  • Molded plastics (like lawn chairs, toys) **
  • Nursery pots & microwave trays **
  • Laundry baskets **
  • Plastic storage bins **
  • Plastic hangers **

 ** Not accepted in the blue curbside carts

No Symbol  Not accepted at the Recycling center or in the blue curbside carts
  • Waxed paper or waxed cardboard
  • Paper plates, paper cups, paper towels, napkins, or tissues
  • Plastic-coated paper or cardboard 
  • Milk cartons
  • Aseptic packaging (juice boxes, soy milk containers)
  • Wet or food-contaminated paper or cardboard  
  • Crosscut paper (fibers too short) 
  • Blueprints
  • Rubber bands
  • Tarps
  • Clothing, textiles and shoes
  • Carpet and padding (that is not properly prepared)
  • Shredded Paper
  • Polystyrene (Styrofoam) peanuts, blocks and food containers
  • Drinking glasses and vases
  • Dishware and ceramics
  • Cookware (Pyrex)
  • Window glass and mirrors
  • Light bulbs (incandescent)
  • Non-food aerosol cans
  • Single plastic bags
  • Plastic cups, "clamshell" food boxes and utensils
  • Plastic motor oil bottles
  • PVC plastic pipe
  • Household Hazardous Wastes (Saturday only 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

 Green CheckAdditional items accepted at the Recycling Center FREE of charge:

  • Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes (limit 10 per visit)
  • Household batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9-volt, button cell and other)
  • Scrap metal
  • Mattresses and box springs (limit 5 items per visit)
  • Used oil filters (drain and place in zip-lock or plastic bag with tie)
  • Used motor oil (call 831-420-5220 to request a free, 2-1/2 gallon container)
  • Anti-freeze, Transmission fluid
  • Auto batteries
  • Computers and monitors
  • Televisions and stereos
  • Small electronics (DVD players, radios, toasters, hair dryers, etc)
  • Motors, engines and transmissions (must be drained of all fluids)

 Green CheckThe Recycling Center accepts these items for a FEE:
            Resource Recovery Facility Fees [PDF]

  • Refrigerators/freezer
  • Water heaters
  • Washers
  • Dryers
  • Stoves and microwaves
  • Carpet (properly prepared)[PDF]
  • Air conditioners
  • Tires
  • Tree stumps
  • Yard waste

Questions?

TOURS: Public Tours are available free of charge. A minimum of 10 people in your group are required. Attendees must be at least 8 years old. Please contact Leslie O'Malley at lomalley@cityofsantacruz.com

Customer Service: 831-420-5220

Waste Reduction and  Recycling: 831-420-5591

Material Processing: 831-420-6275
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