Beverage container recycling center re-established in Ben Lomond

BEN LOMOND, Calif. (KION) As many facilities accepting California Redemption Value, or CRV, close around the state, Santa Cruz County is re-establishing a beverage container recycling center in Ben Lomond.

The county said the closure of facilities is because of declines in the global recycling market, but that the loss of the centers undermines the county's zero waste goals and impacts small businesses by requiring them to give funding and infrastructure for other redemption services.

“After three redemption sites closed in 2019, we saw the economic impact it had on SLV residents and businesses. We hope this cooperative pilot project will provide some relief and prevent recyclable materials from entering our waste stream,” Supervisor Bruce McPherson said.

The county is working with Grey Bears-- a group that aims to improve the well-being of seniors through food distribution, volunteering, resource conservation and recycling-- to make it happen. The county said the center at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station staffed by Grey Bears will fulfill a need while increasing convenience for residents.

“I’m thankful the County and Grey Bears have collaborated to restore CRV services in the San Lorenzo Valley, which was hit particularly hard by the recycling market collapse in recent years,” McPherson said.

"We are excited to operate CRV redemption at Ben Lomond Transfer Station because it offers a win-win-win for our community,” said Grey Bears executive director Tim Brattan. “It supports Grey Bears environmental goals to expand recycling, provides economic benefits to residents by allowing them to redeem their beverage deposits, and helps retailers focus on their core services.”

The center will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be located at 9835 Newell Creek Road. Beverage containers can be redeemed in three locations-- the Ben Lomond Market, Wild Roots in Felton and The Redwood Keg Liquor and Deli in Boulder Creek.