Waste Facility

Santa Cruz County Public Works

701 Ocean St #410, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

(831) 454-2160

Santa Cruz County Public Works on Ocean Street is where locals go for bigger disposal jobs and county waste questions. It’s a county-run spot that sees pickup trucks, trailers, and people doing yard or garage cleanups rather than quick curbside drop-offs.

There’s a small entrance booth with a scale near the driveway, so plan to stop and follow directions at the booth. The site is a paved lot with bins, piles, and a few ramps for unloading; vehicles pull up, drop or sort, then move on. Look for signs that separate recycling and organics from regular trash, and be prepared for lines-weekends and spring cleanup times get especially busy.

Facility Information

Type Waste Facility
City Santa Cruz
State California

Before You Go

  • Bring tarps and straps to secure loose loads; it makes unloading quicker and keeps the lot neater.
  • Sort compostable and recyclable items before you get there-many California facilities expect organics separated from trash.
  • Try to avoid weekend mornings and known county cleanup weekends if possible; arriving during a quieter weekday window will save time.