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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 31 findings
F1
County landfills are reaching maximum capacity, requiring that new sites be identified, licensed and built.
F2
It takes approximately ten years to get a permit for a new landfill.
F3
The average lifespan of California landfills is about 15 years.
F4
The remaining lifespan for the City of Santa Cruz’s landfill (Dimeo Lane) is about 34 years, if carefully used.
F5
The remaining lifespan of the Santa Cruz County landfill (Buena Vista) is about 15 years.
F6
Santa Cruz County Code 7.20.110 states that garbage can be held no longer than seven days.
F7
The county contracts with a private company for its garbage and recycling pickup.
F8
The cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville provide their own garbage and recycling trucks and pickup.
F9
Currently the county has no mandatory garbage or recycling service in the unincorporated areas. Garbage pickup is mandatory in all four of the county’s incorporated areas. Separate garbage and recycling containers are distributed in the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. Using the recycling containers is optional.
F10
Approximately 65 percent of residents in the unincorporated areas of the county use garbage and recycling curbside pickup.
F11
Approximately 55 percent of San Lorenzo Valley residents use curbside pickup.
F12
Mandatory garbage and recycling pickup in the unincorporated area of the county could result in less illegal dumping and a reduced amount of recyclable materials in the landfill, some officials said.
F13
If all recyclable materials were recycled, officials say that the Buena Vista landfill could have at least a 30 percent additional reduction in material.
F14
Some recycling officials said that Buena Vista landfill workers need a better understanding of California’s recycling laws (AB 939 and the appropriate California Public Resources Code sections) in order to inform customers who arrive at the landfill with recyclable materials.
F15
Some people think recycling is free but because of the expenses involved it is not. Volume is the key to making a profit in recycling: the greater the volume, the greater the profit.
F16
The City of Santa Cruz routinely uses the same customers for its sale of recyclable materials. The City of Watsonville aggressively negotiates with brokers using high dollar items (white paper and cardboard) to obtain the best price.
F17
Each recycling entity that collects materials usually makes its own arrangements to sell its products to companies outside of the county.
F18
The County of Santa Cruz's Ben Lomond Transfer Station has a limited area to collect recycling materials.
F19
Interactions among various coordinators of the various recycling organizations within the county are informal.
F20
Some recycling officials are concerned about the idea of consolidation recycling activities that involve information and public awareness. They feel the money might not be wisely spent.
F21
The City of Santa Cruz has won awards for its public recycling information.
F22
The county’s informational materials on recycling were criticized as poor and unimaginative.
F23
Some recycling groups in the county believe they do not get adequate exposure to inform the public of proper recycling procedures and the availability of local resources.
F24
Ecology Action is a Santa Cruz based non-profit informational organization that uses grants from federal, state and county governments to promote recycling. Ecology Action works with the county on some recycling projects.
F25
Some cities and counties get state and federal grants to run special recycling programs. Examples are programs to recycle motor oil and batteries.
F26
As of 2003, 22 of the 58 counties in California have met the 50 percent solid waste diversion requirement specified by AB 939.4[4] In 2001, Santa Cruz County had a 53 percent diversion rate.
F27
Each day 2.5 million glass bottles are discarded in landfills in California. Commercial customers, such as restaurants and apartment complexes, are large users and therefore large contributors to the problem in California.
F28
Several communities across the U.S. have adopted programs of mandatory recycling with excellent results. (This does not include mandatory garbage pick- up). An example is San Diego where mandatory separation saw participation jump from 30-40% up to 80-90%. They used a coordinated approach of public awareness, slogans, media press releases, press conferences and special events to enlist public understanding of the advantages of recycling.
F29
The key element of mandatory recycling is to make participation “convenient.”
F30
Other communities have seen increased cooperation by use of economic incentives along with comprehensive education and promotion activities. Although the word “mandatory” initially raises concerns, communities have found little need for it. With convenient home and commercial pick up service, plus vigorous inspection at the landfill entrance for drive up loads, people are more inclined to recycle willingly.
F31
Enforcement programs vary tremendously throughout North America. 4[4] Nevada County Grand Jury Report 2002-03. Conclusions
Recommendations 9
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R1The County of Santa Cruz should examine its operation of the Buena Vista landfill. Close monitoring and enforcement of recycling practices could reduce the amount of recyclables entering the landfill. This could include positive incentives for proper disposal and citations for improper disposal of recyclables.
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R2The county, the cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville and other local agencies involved in recycling should be more cooperative among themselves. For maximum public exposure and fiscal efficiency, they should coordinate printed recycling information and media coverage.
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R3Local recycling entities should take a regional approach to obtain countywide contracts in order to combine and sell together each category of recycled materials to the highest bidder. They should total the volume at the various locations, rather than collect the material at a central station.
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R4Local recycling agencies should consider the experience of other communities and decide whether mandatory recycling would be beneficial.
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R5Cardboard and office paper are the focus when landfills ban commercial waste. These are high dollar items for re-sale. To enforce these bans, landfill operators should: • Refuse loads of cardboard and office paper. • Impose fines on haulers of cardboard and office paper. • Track down offending customers and fine them. • Place a significant amount of responsibility on haulers to force customers to comply.
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R6The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department and in particular the Waste Reduction Coordinator should be commended for its excellent work in public awareness through its publications and media coverage. It should be commended for winning the 2004 Award of Excellence in Writing for the statewide competition conducted by the California Public Information Officials (CAPIO).
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R7The Valley Women’s Club should be commended for using recycling revenues to finance its charitable services to the community.
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R8The California Grey Bears should be commended for its service to the seniors of Santa Cruz County and for using recycling as one means to raise money.
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R9The County of Santa Cruz should be commended for exceeding the state mandate of 50 percent solid waste diversion in 2001.