Our Mission
Santa Cruz County Recycling & Solid Waste Services is responsible for the operation and administration of solid waste diversion and disposal in the unincorporated area of the County. We operate the County’s two solid waste facilities, the Buena Vista Landfill west of Watsonville and the Ben Lomond Transfer Station in the San Lorenzo Valley.
Santa Cruz County Recycling & Solid Waste Services is responsible for the operation and administration of solid waste diversion and disposal in the unincorporated area of the County. We operate the County’s two solid waste facilities, the Buena Vista Landfill west of Watsonville and the Ben Lomond Transfer Station in the San Lorenzo Valley.
Recycling & Solid Waste employs 49 operations and administration staff who are dedicated to providing quality service to the general public. We collaborate with local non-profit agencies to carry out community public education and waste reduction programs.
The County of Santa Cruz accepts over 450 tons of refuse on a daily basis. The Buena Vista Landfill accepts an average of 350 tons, while the Ben Lomond Transfer Station accepts 100 tons of refuse daily which is trucked to Buena Vista Landfill.
The Buena Vista Landfill is a Class III landfill operating under State of California Solid Waste Facilities Permit from CalRecycle (California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery). The Ben Lomond Transfer Station also operates under State of California Solid Waste Facilities Permit from CalRecycle. The Buena Vista Landfill is equipped with an environmental liner system exceeding Federal Subtitle D and State of California standards, including a leachate collection and removal system and a 4 layer composite liner.