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Project Goals

This new state-of-the-art waste management facility will divert 60% of landfill waste, generate resources, such as green energy and compost, and dramatically lower our community’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Project Goals

The County and its partner cities developed the following goals for the Tajiguas Resource Recovery Project:

  • Minimizes Environmental Impacts of MSW Generation and Disposal – The City and County seek a project that will not only result in significant decrease in the amount of material that is currently buried, but will also employ technology that limits and/or mitigates environmental impacts, including, not not limited to, water quality and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Provides Financial Sustainability – Any considered project must have long-term financial stability that would limit financial impacts to affected rate payers.
  • Produces Green Energy – Any project considered must include a component of green energy production at the Tajiguas Landfill.
  • Provides a Humane Work Environment – The County and its partner cities are dedicated to maintaining humane working conditions and will not consider any project that is deemed to have an unjust or unsafe impact on workers.
  • Results in a Long-Term Waste Disposal Plan – Any considered project must result in a long-term waste disposal alternative for the Southern Santa Barbara County region (with a 20-year minimum lifespan required).
  • Maximizes Recycling Rates – Despite the County and partner cities already achieving the state-mandated 50% diversion rate specified in AB 939, the County and its partners seek to increase their respective rates of recycling. This project will not eliminate any existing programs, but will supplement and enhance current efforts.