California
Household hazardous waste drop-off
Watsonville (Santa Cruz County) household hazardous waste drop-off
Hours, sticker price, who can use it, item fees, hazardous waste options, and holiday notes for Buena Vista Household Hazardous Waste Facility (County of Santa Cruz).
Not a household-trash drop-off. This page covers only the specifically listed recycling, compost, hazardous or specialty materials. Check the accepted materials before loading your vehicle.
Last verified from official sources: 2026-11-09
Who can use it
Free for residents of unincorporated Santa Cruz County, Scotts Valley, Capitola and Santa Cruz with proof of residency. City of Watsonville residents are not served here (call 831-768-3133). Very small quantity generator businesses by appointment only, Wednesdays and Fridays, for a fee.
Hours
- Wednesday 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sticker or permit
Required: No (see notes)
Price: No separate sticker price was established on the linked page; the eligibility and item fees below still apply.
Where to buy: Contact the facility about access requirements before loading.
Per-item fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential household hazardous waste (within limits) | Free |
| Residential CFLs and fluorescent tubes (25 per visit) | Free |
| Business (VSQG) waste | Per-unit prices, for example paint $4.50 per gallon and antifreeze $1.50 per gallon, plus a $35 sorting and handling fee where required |
Hazardous waste
Accepted: latex and oil-based paints (up to 15 gallons a day); motor oil, oil filters and antifreeze (5 gallons a day); fluorescent and LED tubes and bulbs (25 a day; PCB ballasts removed from fixtures); cleaning products; solvents and flammable liquids; road flares; non-empty aerosols; automotive products; pesticides and herbicides; pool and spa chemicals; photo chemicals; mercury thermometers and devices; household batteries (alkaline, button, nickel-cadmium). Limits: 15 gallons of liquid or 125 lbs of solids (or both) per day, in containers of 5 gallons or less.
Holiday closures
Closed Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26, 2026), Christmas (Friday, December 25, 2026) and New Year's Day (Friday, January 1, 2027); open 7:30-11:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve (subject to change).
Holiday schedule last verified 2026-11-09 from official sources .
Other notes
- Not accepted: paint over 15 gallons or oil and antifreeze over 5 gallons a day (use PaintCare and CalRecycle take-back sites), medicines and sharps (use MED-Project), reactive wastes, radioactive materials, explosives, ammunition and marine flares.
- Pack waste in a plastic-lined box in the trunk, truck bed or rear of the vehicle. Over 30 gallons or 250 lbs: call 831-454-2606 first.
- The Ben Lomond HHW facility is closed August 21, 2026 through September 2027.
Nearby California towns
Sources
Every fee and hour above was taken from these official pages or PDFs on 2026-11-09. If something conflicts, trust the town.