5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Cruz County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County requires every developed property to subscribe to trash, recycling, and organics service through GreenWaste Recovery, or register as a self-hauler, under the County's Universal Service ordinance (Ch. 7.20). GreenWaste collects weekly; materials must be ready by 5 AM.
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County limits curbside cart placement to no more than 24 hours before pickup, with removal within 24 hours after collection (County Code Ch. 7.20). GreenWaste asks that gray, blue, and green carts be at the curb and ready by 5 AM on collection day.
GreenWaste gives unincorporated Santa Cruz County residents up to three free bulky-item reuse collections per year (covering reusable items, e-waste, and appliances). Larger loads go to the County's Buena Vista Landfill or Ben Lomond Transfer Station; debris-box rentals are available for big jobs.
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County requires every developed property to recycle through GreenWaste's blue cart under the Universal Service ordinance (Ch. 7.20), implementing California's SB 1383. Recyclables and organics must be separated from trash; service is mandatory or residents must register as self-haulers.
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County mandates organics (food scraps and yard trimmings) collection in GreenWaste's green cart under the Universal Service ordinance (Ch. 7.20), implementing California SB 1383. Organics must be separated from trash; material is composted at the Buena Vista Landfill.
1 cities in Santa Cruz County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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