I. Current State

At the 1992 United Nations sponsored Earth Summit in Brazil, United States citizens were told by the world's scientists and political leadership that as 5% of the planet's population, we are consuming about one-third of the Earth's natural resources, 2nd wasting up to 75% through inefficiency & lack of awareness. The planet cannot sustain this demand for resources; it is causing our fragile ecosystems to unravel at an accelerating rate! We presently live in a throw-away society, where 80% of the products purchased are used only once and discarded, where most consumers pay more for packaging food than farmers receive for producing it. Unless U.S. citizens - the single largest user of the planet's resources - begin to live more environmentally sustainable lifestyles within this decade, future generations will suffer a seriously diminished quality of life.

Like any place at the present time, and for the right price of course, Santa Cruz County (SCC) has access to virtually any and all material resources. Somewhat particular to this area, though, is geographical isolation which in some ways argues for localization of the flow of resources. For instance, agricultural resources (land, water, and infrastructure) are abundant, and could be managed sustainability to provide for most of the community's agricultural needs. An increasing amount of organic waste is processed within the county, making the flow o such materials at least a partially closed loop. This, of course, is to the extent that the supply is from local sources, and the disposal is directed to composting or mulching in the county, rather than export or landfilling.

Certain industrial resources come from local sources as well. Most of this is virgin material from mining or logging. Some products are manufactured in this county from recycled materials, including plastics, glass items, art pieces, construction materials, and base rock.

In a broad analysis, the population of the county currently diverts nearly 30% of the solid waste it generates. 1 This diversion occurs through recycling and reuse. Diversion opportunities are licking for things such as food waste, construction debris, most plastics, certain papers, & many types of packaging. County residents participate in these diversion programs at a relatively high rate and also pursue source reduction (e.g., buying in bulk, using reusable containers and tableware) more than average communities. There is, however, still room for improvement in these areas among residents.

Commercial and industrial entities have a great deal more room for improvement. Business and industry generate more than 50% of the waste landfilled in California. Ecology Action's business waste reduction assistance program, working with 40 county businesses, has made recommendations that would reduce waste volume by some 38%. Important to note is that the remaining 62% could be much further reduced with new waste reduction opportunities and practices, and also that these businesses were self-selected, most already having well-developed waste reduction programs in place. A more representative sample would likely have a higher potential for waste reduction than the businesses served in Ecology Action's program.

Water resources in SCC are highly dependent on annual rainfall. City of Santa Cruz residents are served by surface water sources (streams, rivers and Loch Lomond Reservoir), while ground water sources (wells) are the primary water source for all other areas in the county, including San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Soquel, and Watsonville. Drought is felt immediately by the surface water sources - within a two year period, whereas it takes a more extended drought to begin to see the effects on the ground water sources. There is no imported water from other parts of the state at this time, however, Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency has just requested a hookup to the state water delivery system.

Both the Santa Cruz and the Watsonville Water Departments have had water conservation programs in place for several years, and both have ultra low-flush rebate programs. Smaller water agencies have participated in public information programs encouraging wise water use, but have no in-place conservation staff. During the last two periods of drought (1977-78 and 1987-92) water restrictions were in place in the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and the San Lorenzo Valley Water District area during some of that period. Water rationing only took place in the City of Santa Cruz in 1990.

Water for agriculture is not presently sustainable anywhere in the county. North coast irrigators are looking for sources other than reliance on Santa Cruz City water, and south county is way over-drafted, making it necessary for irrigators to buy water. Water overdraft and saltwater intrusion in south county was documented for the first time in the early 1950's, and it has been confirmed over the years by different agencies. In 1993 the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency determined a sustainable level of long term perennial usage to be 50,000 acre feet/year on average from the ground water basin. Currently we are using approximately 68,000 acre ft/yr.; future demand overdraft is expected to increase an additional 10,000 acre ft/yr. by the year 2040.2

II. Desired State

Santa Cruz County will be an evolving model community for true sustainable management of human and natural resources. By 'sustainable' we mean future generations are equal to or better off than we are presently in terms of resource stock and quality of life. Water quality and quantity will be stable and meet acceptable standards and levels of demand. A priority in water resource management is to provide water conservation programs to reduce the need for additional water resource development. The standing volume of trees in our forests will continue to increase and stabilize at optimal levels. [See Biodiversity/ Ecosy. Mgmt.] Because of increased public awareness and conservation efforts, fossil fuel use will be almost eliminated. Ultimately, we envision no garbage being put into landfills - a Zero Waste Vision.

The flow of materials will be localized, while still linked to the larger material economy by "import and export." Organic, compostable materials will be processed nearly entirely within five miles of where it is generated. Packaging volume will be precipitously reduced by bulk distribution of goods. What packaging is left will be mostly reusable, as in the case of milk and juice bottles. What is left from that will be either conveniently recyclable in a closed-loop local or regional system, or compostable in the local system.

The first priority in the manufacture of goods will be directing the goods' components to a useful purpose, avoiding disposal by land-filling or incineration completely. Consumers will have easy access to "reclamation stations" for goods that are no longer serviceable.

Production of hazardous materials will be essentially non-existent. What little is used will be treated by what-ever means necessary to break these materials down into useful substances. Their handling and storage will be scrupulously maintained. [See Toxic Tech./ Waste Management chapter.]

III. Goals For Year 2000

A. Reduce solid waste to the landfills by 50'/o through source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.

B. Comprehensive educational plan for all of SCC. Develop and distribute curriculum on sustainable living practices, (especially recycling and waste reduction), to all county schools.

C. Focus on major contributors of waste stream, such as paper and compostable materials; implement a system which allows all individuals, businesses, and schools to recycle paper and compost. Composting and paper recycling will be available at each school, 80% of businesses, and 95% of residences.

D. Have 10 local manufacturers who use locally collected recycled materials as feedstock.

E. Curbside recycling for most recyclable materials for all county residents and businesses.

F. Firm up planning for long term water resource demands. Include 15% conservation as a target for urban demand reduction.

IV. What Has Been Done

A. Source Reduction and Recycling Element. These exist for all California jurisdictions by directive of AB939. Santa Cruz County's SRRE was completed in 1991. A significant piece of this project is the Waste Generation Study for the county, which provides estimated breakdown of the waste steam into categorized percentages and quantities.

B. The Central Coast Recycling Market Development Zone, run by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, is now working to generate interest in new assistance programs for businesses wishing to employ recycled materials in manufacturing processes.

C. The County of Santa Cruz Public Works has began a grant program in 1996 to encourage recycling activities in the local business community. Grants are based on diversion effectiveness, innovative recycling approaches dealing with currently non-recycled waste streams, source reduction activities, and start up businesses focusing on utilization of recycled materials.

D. County facilities deskside recycling, started in 1995/96, resulted in annual refuse disposal savings of $10,000 and an annual reduction in waste volume of 1,040 cubic yards. This model serves as an inspiration to the community.

E. County parks recycling program includes 28 recycling clusters located at 17 different park sites.

F. Buy Recycled Guide. Ecology Action, under contract with the County of Santa Cruz, regularly updates the Buy Recycled Guide For Santa Cruz County. The guide lists products made from recycled materials and their suppliers in Santa Cruz County.

G. Residential curbside recycling in all cities & urban areas of Santa Cruz County serves over 20,000 households with 80% participation. The new County recycling and waste hauling contract with Waste Management of Santa Cruz becomes effective November 1, 1997. At that time the range of curbside recycling and recyclable materials in the county will increase significantly to include almost all rural & mountain areas.

H. Outdoor and worm composting classes & low cost bin distribution ongoing free for the public offered by Ecology Action. Truckload distributions of composting bins take place several times a year in the county, plus Master Composter training for all ages. EA maintains a Hotline: (408) 423-HEAP.

I. ProMAX materials exchange. Ecology Action maintains the ProMAX materials exchange system, which is a free matchmaking service between businesses for the trading, donating, buying, and selling of materials destined for landfills. Ecology Action keeps listings, locates matches, and publishes listings on the World Wide Web at http://www.cruzio.com/-ecoact/ProMAX.html. The CALMAX Business Reuse and Recycling Catalog is the waste-not want ads for California Business, Industry, and Institutions, published by the Calif. Integrated Waste Management Board.

J. Business Waste Reduction Program. Ecology Action contracted with the CA Integrated Waste Mgmt. Board and other agencies in 1995-96 to implement a business waste assistance program. That program continues today with support from the County of Santa Cruz, the City of Santa Cruz, and the community at large. Staff and volunteers evaluate business waste streams and make recommendations to reduce waste. Minimal assistance is provided in implementing the recommendations. This service, since it usually saves money for a business, will be offered with a fee-for-service arrangement an a savings-based payment schedule.

K. The "polystyrene ordinance," calling for voluntary ban on polystyrene, seems to be working. Baseline usage in 1990 was 47% compliance; it has steadily improved to -2/3 compliance on the part of businesses in SCC by 1995.3

L. The Household EcoTeam Program and Sustainable Lifestyle Campaign was launched in Santa Cruz County in October of 1995 by ACTION-SCC together with Global Action Plan (GAP), after a 2 year start up phase. The EcoTeam program has helped people implement sustainable lifestyle practices in their own households over a 4 - 6 month period as they work together on a team with a trained coach and follow a workbook focusing in 6 action areas (reducing garbage, water efficiency, home energy efficiency, transportation, eco-wise consuming, and empowering others). This program, now being handled by Ecology Action, is transitioning to a new program ('EarthTeams") with a locally-based workbook.

M. Educational school programs on a variety of related subjects are ongoing throughout Santa Cruz County. Two that are particularly relevant to this chapter are: 1) The Watsonville Recycling & Water Conservation School Program, and 2) SCC Public Works and the County Office of Education are collaborating on an effort to initiate recycling and composting into the schools. There are many more. [See Educational Programs chapter]

N. Educational commercials on television (KCBA-ch 35 & KSMS-ch 67) informing public (in Eng. & Spanish) on how to dispose of their used motor oil - funded by a grant by the CA Integrated Waste Management Board to Regional Analysis & Planning Services, Inc. (RAPS), the non-profit arm of AMBAG.

O. Water Conservation Programs:

1. Santa Cruz City's rebate program to encourage purchase of low flow toilets is an ongoing annual program to replace 1,000-2,000 toilets per year.
2. Watsonville also has a toilet rebate program (500/ year since '92) and is working with the Pajaro Valley school district to retrofit plumbing fixtures in 5 schools.
3. Scotts Valley Water District is building a 'water recycling' facility to supply low cost water for outdoor use by June, 1998.
4. The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency is working to solve salt water intrusion problems in south county.
5. The Farm Bureau is working to develop active conservation recommendations for ag water users, utilizing economic incentives.

V. Suggested Actions For Further Progress

A. Continue to increase recycling opportunities; inform the public of changes in Spanish and English,

B. Continue/expand efforts to provide comprehensive education to the public about currently available recycling opportunities.

C. Educate the public about source reduction:

1. Use specific examples to show people how they can save money as they save resources & landfills. (hypothetical e.g. 'You can save as much as 80% in cost & produce up to 87'/o less waste by choosing a particular brand and packaging.")
2. Show how recycling and waste reduction affects our overall quality of life. (e.g. 'Reuse and recycling not only save landfill space, but also reduce the disruption of natural habitats and pollution caused by mining, logging, and primary manufacturing, plus they save energy and thus reduce air pollution.')
3. Find ways to reduce the stream of junk mail. (e.g. Write to: Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008 - send your address + give all spelling variations of your name). For more info., contact Ecology Action.
4. Encourage all water departments to educate their districts through newsletters, including tips for home assessment and conservation in English & Spanish. Some good examples are: Soquel Creek, San Lorenzo Valley, and the SCMU Review in Santa Cruz City.
5. Educate consumers to make informed decisions about purchasing from companies using sustainable practices.

E. Flood the media about A - D above!

F. Encourage corporate responsibility. Disseminate information and criteria for the SQA Awards program.

G. Provide economic incentives. (e.g. elimination/reduction of taxes on recycled products; business tax deductions for recycled paper and other resources, as done in Watsonville, which is leading the way in the four-county Central Coast Recycling Market Development Zone.)

H. Encourage local government purchasing plans and possible mandates.

I. Interface with the schools, research what is now being taught, & build awareness regarding the importance of students receiving a comprehensive education in sustainable living practices.

J. Push policy to establish curbside collection of all green waste (yard, wood, & food waste) for composting or mulching.

K. Expand programs to gather and process "green waste" to make high-quality compost from the county's green material.

L. Encourage farmers to use compost & mulch. [See Agric. chapter.]

M. If the local landfills do not have a compost facility by the year 2,000, the local chapter of the professional trade organization (CLCA) could develop compost sites for its members. Green waste can be reduced at the point of origin by encouraging on-site composting. The landscape industry can help by educating customers about this need. [See Agric. chptr. for CLCA ref. or Ken Foster]

N. Encourage recycling Christmas trees and turning them into mulch, compost, or bio-fuel.

O. Encourage green industries, such as non-smoking hemp for commercial uses. (10,000 acres of cultivated hemp provide enough paper, building materials and pulp to save 41,000 acres of forester.4

P. Encourage REUSE with city-wide yard sales, promotion paid for by the City, such as was done in Cupertino.

Q. Support the current proposal to the City of Santa Cruz for diversion of useful goods from landfill disposal and development of a warehouse to distribute those goods.

R. Develop a long-range plan to protect and enhance the supply of water for Santa Cruz County, including:

1. Conservation efforts / demand management.
2. Reclaim & recycle wastewater (gray-water) for agricultural and landscape irrigation.
3. Water banking of surplus water from wet years for use in dry years.
4. Solve salt water intrusion problem.
5. Conjunctive use of water between agencies.
6. Research viability of desalinating brackish ground water.
7. Development of local surface supplies for direct use of agriculture or ground water recharge.
8. Research other appropriate capital projects to provide hydrologic balance to overdrafted ground water basins and protect against seawater intrusion.

VI. Useful Resources & References

• CA Integrated Waste Management Board: (916) 255-2200.
• Waste Prevention Info. Exchange: Kathy Frevert (916) 255-MO.
• CALMAX (California Materials Exchange): (916) 255-2369; CALMAX Business Reuse & Recycling Catalog, the waste-not want ads for California Business, Industry, & Institutions - published by Calif. Integrated Waste Management Board, under contract with The Local Government Commission.
• Recycling Hotline: (800) 553-2962;
• City of Capitola, City Hall (incl. Public Works): (408) 475-7300.
• City of Scotts Valley, Public Works Dept: (408) 438-5854;
• Recycling Information Line: (408) 438-0910.
• City of Scotts Valley Water District: (408) 438-2363.
• City of Santa Cruz, Public Works Dept: 809 Center St., Rm. 201, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-3864; (408) 429-3633.
• City of Santa Cruz, Water Department: 809 Center St., Rm. 102, SC, CA 95060; (408) 429-3670
• City of Watsonville Recycling Program: Nancy Gray (408) 728-6153 (curbside & commercial recycling, yard waste drop off, backyard composting programs, & field trips & education assistance to students & teachers in Watsonville).
• City of Watsonville Utilities Customer Service (water, sewer, recycling, & garbage): (408) 728-6133.
• County of Santa Cruz, Hydrologist: Bruce Laclergue, 4,54-3112.
• Dept of Conservation: (916) 323-3743.
• Ecology Action, P.O. Box 1188, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1188; (408) 426-5925; Email: ecoact@cruzio.com; Web: http://www.cruzio.com/-ecoact (provides "Where to Recycle" guide & general recycling info., and free business waste audit).
• Composting Hotline: (408) 423-HEAP
• ProMAX materials exchange: 426-5925, ext.12
• Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency: Charles McNiesh (408) 722-9292 145 Westridge Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076.
• Santa Cruz County Public Works Dept: Dan de Grassi (408) 454-3102; Jeffrey Smedberg 454-2373 (business & residential recycling programs).
• Recycling Information Line: (408) 454-2333 (bilingual).
• Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Appointments & Information: (408) 454-2606 or 763-8018 (bilingual).
• Sustainable Catering: ACTION Santa Cruz County, Jeanne Nordland, (408) 338-6013 (provides low cost rental & saniwashing of dishes, glasses & silverware for events to save landfill space & trees).
• Waste Management of Santa Cruz: (800) 665-2209 or (408) 768-9501, P.O. Box, 2347, Watsonville 95077 (manages the expanding county curbside recycling program).
• For recycling centers and recycling opportunities in SCC, call the Recycling Info Line at 454-2333 for recorded information or to request a printed copy of the "Where to Recycle Guide" or call Ecology Action

Documentation Sources

1. Santa Cruz County Public Works Dept, Jeffrey Smedberg.

2. Santa Cruz County Hydrologist, Bruce Laclergue.

3. "Measure C - 1995 Update of the Baseline Environmental Conditions."

4. USDA Bulletin 404. .

Contributors: Co-Chairpersons Victor Aguiar, Piet Canin, & Luiz Rodrigues, Debbie DeRose, Jeffrey Smedberg, Chris Schneiter, Dan de Grassi, Peter Cota-Robles, Claudia Olalla, Ryan Phelan, Daniel D'Andrea, Leonard Ortega, Deidre Kerwin, Charly Fitzgerald, Dave Hope, Israel Zuckerman, Betsy Herbert, Erich Rebenstorf, Bruce Laclergue, Toby Goddard, Nancy Gray, Ann-Marie Mitroff, & Jeanne Nordland.