The Ben Lomond Transfer Station at 9835 Newell Creek Road is Santa Cruz County's garbage and recycling drop-off in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It's one of only two disposal sites the county operates; the other is the Buena Vista Landfill near Watsonville. The station takes in about 100 tons of refuse a day, which is trucked south to Buena Vista. Big news for 2026–27: the site is in the middle of an $8 million rebuild, so its schedule is shifting and the hazardous waste area is closed until fall 2027.
Last checked 2026-09-25 against Santa Cruz County Recycling & Solid Waste pages, the Ben Lomond improvement project page and the July 1, 2026 rate schedule. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm before you go.
See the Ben Lomond Transfer Station and nearby drop-offs on the map
Ben Lomond Transfer Station at a glance
| Operator and owner | County of Santa Cruz, Recycling & Solid Waste Services |
| Address | 9835 Newell Creek Road, Ben Lomond, CA 95005 (about 1 mile north of Glen Arbor Road) |
| Normal hours | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Wed 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
| Construction schedule | Operating days vary from September 2026; call (831) 454-2430 |
| Phones | (831) 454-2430 or (831) 454-3951 |
| Hazardous waste area | Closed August 21, 2026 until September 2027 |
Ben Lomond Transfer Station hours (and the construction schedule)
In normal times, the station is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It follows the Buena Vista Landfill's schedule, which means it's closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, with a short day on Christmas Eve.
During construction, the days it's open will vary. The county says it chose a phased, roughly year-long project instead of a months-long shutdown so the station could stay open for most of the work. On days it does open, normal hours apply unless the county announces otherwise. Before every trip, check the county's Ben Lomond project page or call (831) 454-2430 for the latest schedule.
You also have to finish unloading within 15 minutes after closing, or the county may charge its higher special-handling rate.
What the rebuild includes
The improvement project started in August 2026 and is expected to wrap up around September 2027. It includes:
- A 14,000-square-foot canopy over the recycling area, to keep rain off recycling operations and meet state water quality rules
- A new canopy and better spill containment for the hazardous waste area
- Traffic circulation and safety changes
- Electrical upgrades and retaining wall repairs
Expect changed traffic patterns, lane closures and staff directing traffic during your visit.
Who can use it, and residency rules
The county's rate schedule requires proof of residency for every load. The base rates below apply to loads from unincorporated Santa Cruz County and the City of Scotts Valley. Loads from Capitola, Santa Cruz, Watsonville or outside the county pay a 28 percent surcharge. Seniors 65 and older get $2 off each self-hauled load of residential refuse or yard waste.
Payment: cash, checks and major credit cards (card fees apply).
Rates from July 1, 2026
| Material | Rate | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage (household refuse, upholstered furniture, painted lumber, dirt) | $105.50/ton | $31.50 |
| Clean, sorted wood waste and yard waste | $70.00/ton | $22.50 |
| Food scraps | $103.50/ton | $31.00 |
| Sheetrock / gypsum board, clean | $57.75/ton | $23.50 |
| Clean concrete, asphalt, base rock, brick or tile (1 cubic yard per trip) | $103.00/ton | $30.75 |
| Clean carpet and padding, rolled separately | $57.50/ton | $22.25 |
| Garbage containing more than 5% recyclables | $202.50/ton | $55.25 |
Flat-rate items:
- Tires 27 inches or smaller: $9.50 each (larger sizes cost more; nine or more tires require a certified tire hauler and manifest)
- Appliances without Freon: $17.50 each; with Freon: $30.75 each
- Propane tanks: $18.50 for 1–5 gallons, $27.75 for 6–10 gallons
- Mattresses and box springs from households: free, up to 15 per trip
- TVs and monitors: 5 free per day; bag broken screens
- Uncovered or unsecured load: $30.75
Recycling is required, not optional
According to the county's rate schedule, mixing recyclables into your trash is illegal, and so is throwing away recyclables, electronic waste or hot ashes. Staff can charge the contaminated-load rate if more than 5 percent of your garbage is sortable recycling, so separate it before you arrive and use the recycling area.
What Ben Lomond won't take
- Household hazardous waste right now, since the HHW area is closed until September 2027 (see alternatives below)
- Special-handle refuse such as agricultural plastics, large non-recyclable metal items, dead animals and rancid waste; take these to Buena Vista instead
- Vehicles and anything with a VIN: cars, motorcycles, trailers, boats, mobile homes
- Commercial hazardous waste and asbestos
- Treated wood is accepted only when declared at the scale and hand-unloaded into its own bin, with a 500-pound daily limit for residents at Ben Lomond
Where to take hazardous waste during construction
Households in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, Scotts Valley, Capitola and Santa Cruz can still drop off household hazardous waste free, with proof of residency, at:
- City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility, 605 Dimeo Lane, Santa Cruz: Saturday 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Buena Vista Landfill, 1231 Buena Vista Drive, Watsonville: Wednesday 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Watsonville residents have a separate program; the county lists (831) 768-3133.
Tips for a smoother visit
- Call (831) 454-2430 before every trip until construction ends in 2027.
- Bring proof of residency, or you may pay the surcharge.
- Separate yard waste and clean wood; they cost about a third less than garbage.
- Tarp your load to avoid the $30.75 charge.
- Leave early enough to finish unloading within 15 minutes of closing.
Nearby alternative: Buena Vista Landfill
The Buena Vista Landfill, 1231 Buena Vista Drive in Watsonville (about a mile south of Highway 1), is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It also accepts the special-handle loads that Ben Lomond can't, and it's the fallback on days Ben Lomond is closed for construction.
Find more transfer stations near you
Check the nationwide dump map for landfills and transfer stations near any ZIP, or browse our Santa Cruz County listings. For the basics, read our transfer station near me guide.
Ben Lomond Transfer Station FAQ
Is the Ben Lomond Transfer Station open during construction?
Yes, for most of the project, but operating days vary starting in September 2026. Call (831) 454-2430 or check the county's project page before you go.
What are the normal Ben Lomond Transfer Station hours?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Wednesday 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It's closed Sundays.
How much does the Ben Lomond Transfer Station charge for garbage?
From July 1, 2026, garbage is $105.50 per ton with a $31.50 minimum for unincorporated county and Scotts Valley loads. Other cities and out-of-county loads pay 28 percent more.
Can I drop off hazardous waste at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station?
Not until about September 2027. Use the City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility on Saturdays or the Buena Vista Landfill on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Does the Ben Lomond Transfer Station take mattresses?
Yes. Household mattresses and box springs are free, up to 15 per trip.
Before you go
Hours, fees and rules change, especially during construction. We last checked this page on 2026-09-25 using Santa Cruz County's Recycling & Solid Waste page, the Ben Lomond Transfer Station Improvement Project page and the July 1, 2026 rate schedule. Confirm details on the official Ben Lomond project page or call (831) 454-2430 before you haul.