Santa Cruz county residents are asked to reduce their use of plastics to protect the environment as the demand for recycled materials declines worldwide, county officials said Friday.
Declining oil prices have reduced the demand for recycled plastics because the cost of making new plastics is now cheaper.
As a result, county officials said they are suspending the collection of used plastics at the Buena Vista Landfill and Ben Lomond Transfer Station.
GreenWaste Recovery is still collecting plastics from residents in unincorporated areas to hold for when the market improves, but county officials are asking rural residents to cut back too.
Residents can cut back by, among other things, shopping at farmer's markets, skipping the plastic bag when buying produce at the store, bringing containers from home and buying in bulk and drinking tap water.
More information can be found at www.santacruzcountyrecycles.org.