Berkeley Recycling

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Drop-off Buyback Accounts Materials Preparation
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Universal waste Educational resources

Click a category of materials belowYour recycling options

From toasters & fans to refrigerators & air conditioners
Automotive Parts & Products
Metal parts, cleaners, solvents, tires and oil
Batteries & Household Hazardous Waste
Light bulbs, household batteries, mercury switches, non-empty aerosol cans

Wood, metal scrap, aggregate, re-usables, asbestos

Commercial foodwaste recycling, acids/caustics, paint

Computers, TVs, microwaves, cell phones, transformers.

Bottles and jars, drinking glasses, window glass
House & Garden
Plates, cleaners, paints, garden debris, CDs and cassettes

Steel, aluminum, bi-metal and other non-ferrous scrap

Newspapers, cardboard, mixed paper, books, magazines

Bottles and jugs, bags/film and buckets,tubs,pots

Small AppliancesBerkeley Recycling Center
Small metal appliances include toasters, toaster ovens, blenders, fans, etc. accepted free of charge.
Phone, hours, directions. Website.
Large appliancesBerkeley Recycling Center
Large appliances, including water heaters, stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers and furnaces are all accepted free of charge. No refrigerated appliances.

Berkeley Transfer Station
Refrigerated appliances such as freezers, air conditioners and refrigerators accepted. Fee charged.

MicrowavesFee charged at both agencies shown below. Alameda County Computer Resource Center will recycle “anything that you can plug into a power outlet.”
Alameda County Computer Resource Center (ACCRC)
Phone, hours, directions. Website

Berkeley Recycling Center.
Automotive parts that are mostly metal, such as automobile hoods, doors, frames, fenders, rims, et cetera, are accepted. All engine parts must be thoroughly drained of motor oil, gear oil, and antifreeze before arrival at the site. Note: Fuel tanks not accepted.
Phone, directions, hours. Website.
Motor oil and oil filters
Berkeley’s Transfer StationPhone, directions, hours. Website
These Berkeley service stations also accept motor oil and oil filters:
Art’s Automotive, (510) 540-7093, 2871 San Pablo Ave.
Jim Doten’s Honda, (510) 665-0106, 2500 Shattuck Ave.
Jiffy Lube, (510) 843-3057, 960 University Ave.
Firestone, (510) 843-5454, 1974 University Ave.
Cleaners and solvents
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
Anti-freeze, old fuel and all types of automotive cleaners, solvents, and sprays. Bring proof of Alameda County residency.
Phone, directions, hours. Website

Tires also accepted at
Don’s Tires, (510) 526-0335, 820 Gilman St.

Automotive and marine batteries may be recycled at most automotive shops and dealers throughout Berkeley. They may also be recycled at:
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste FacilityPhone, directions, hours.
These service stations also recycle automobile batteries:
Toyota of Berkeley, (888) 300-0961, 2400 Shattuck Ave
Kragen Auto Parts, (510) 848-4568, 1950 Martin Luther King Jr
Art’s Automotive, (510) 540-7093, 2871 San Pablo Ave
Firestone, (510) 843-5454, 1974 University Avenue

Berkeley Recycling accepts several types of light bulbs that contain hazardous material such as mercury, including fluorescent lights and compacts, metal halide and sodium vapor bulbs. Residents and small businesses in Alameda County can drop off fluorescent lights up to certain amounts for free, and above that we charge a fee.
We do not accept incandescent lights because, free of mercury, they can be safely discarded in the trash. Also, the City of Berkeley has established fluorescent bulb satellite collection sites at these locations (all 510 area code, all addresses Berkeley):
Berkeley Ace Hardware, 2145 University Avenue, 845-0410
Ensler Lighting, 1793 Solano Avenue, 526-4385
Omega Too, 2204 San Pablo Avenue, 843-3636
Orchard Supply Hardware, 1025 Ashby Avenue, 540-6638
Whole Foods, 3000 Telegraph Avenue, 649-1333
For more information, please contact
Berkeley Recycling: Phone, hours, directions. Website. Radio Shack: (510) 845-2987, 1652 University Ave., Berkeley
Radio Shack: (510) 841-6713, 2500 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley

Berkeley Recycling accepts most fluorescent light ballasts for a fee. Ballasts must be removed from the light fixture and must be marked "PCB free". (Read about Universal Waste)

Residents and small business can drop off household batteries up to a specified limit for free, and above that we charge a fee. This includes non-rechargeable and re-chargeable AAA, AA, C, D, button batteries, cell phone, iPod and PDA batteries. We do not take other rechargeable batteries such as laptop or hand tool batteries. Hand tool batteries are accepted at Truitt and White and Home Depot. Laptop batteries are accepted at Radio Shack.

Berkeley Recycling: Phone, hours, directions. Website.
Truitt and White: (510) 841-0511, 642 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley
Home Depot: (510) 601-9400, 3838 Hollis Avenue, Emeryville
Home Depot: (510) 235-0800, 11939 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito
Radio Shack: (510) 845-2987, 1652 University Ave., Berkeley

Cell Phones and Accessories
Berkeley Recycling accepts cell phones and some accessories such as ear phones and cell phone batteries; accessories should be placed in container with cell phones. Office Depot and Radio Shack also accept cell phones and accessories.

Office Depot: (510) 525-0176, 1025 Gilman Street, Berkeley

Berkeley Recycling Center
Accepts mercury switches such as motor vehicle switches, thermostats, tip switches (from portable heaters), washing machine out-of-balance switches and silent wall switches. These switches are accepted for a fee.
Phone, hours, directions. Phone, directions, hours .Website

Concrete, sheetrock, unpainted wood and other construction/demolition debris can be dumped separately from ordinary garbage on the Transfer Station Floor for a fee. The materials are then tranfered separately to a C&D facility for recycling.

Mostly scrap steel; for example, siding, flashing, re-bar, pipes and plumbing products. Accepted free of charge.

Unpainted construction grade wood or garden wood for a fee. Painted wood is not recyclable and must be discarded in the trash for a fee.

Wood also accepted at Urban Ore, (510) 841-SAVE. Website.

The Berkeley Transfer Station accepts asphalt and concrete at its regular disposal fee of $126 per ton. Asphalt and concrete are accepted at Dutra Materials in Richmond for $10 per ton for large trucks and $30 for a pick-up truck load.
Berkeley Transfer Station. Phone, hours, directions. Website.
Dutra Materials, (510) 970-7710. 961 Western Drive, Richmond
Syar Industries, (510) 215-1114. #5 Parr Boulevard, Richmond

Usually accepted at the Richmond landfill for road and landfill cover. Call ahead to make sure they are currently accepting dirt.
West County Landfill, (510) 233-4330. 1 Parr Blvd., Richmond

Building materials re-use
Most building materials, such as doors, windows, sinks, tubs, lumber, bricks, fencing and tile, are accepted at various re-use facilities, including:
Urban Ore, (510) 841-SAVE. Website.

Asbestos is typically contained in insulation, heat ducting, old furnaces and some siding. It is hazardous to your health and the particles should not be breathed into the lungs. Asbestos must be disposed of properly. Contact a licensed asbestos waste disposal company. Asbestos is not accepted at any Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Aluminum beverage containers, such as soft drinks, beer and carbonated juice, are purchased at the Berkeley Buyback Center. We are a California Certified Recycling Center and pay California Redemption Value (CRV). All cans must be empty before recycling.

Bi-metal cans, such as Sapporo beer, are purchased by count at Berkeley Recycling’s Buyback Center. Cans under 24 ounces pay five cents per can; cans 24 ounces and above pay ten cents per can. All cans must be empty before recycling.

Bi-metal cans – non-CRVBerkeley Recycling CenterNon-redemption bi-metal cans are primarily pet food cans which may be added to aluminum foil at the Berkeley Recycling Center. All cans must be empty and preferably rinsed before recycling.
Phone, hours, directions. Website.

Berkeley Recycling CenterTin cans, such as soup and other foods, are accepted at the drop-off center at Berkeley Recycling. All cans must be empty and preferably rinsed before recycling.

Aerosol cansBerkeley Recycling CenterEmpty aerosol cans may be recycled with tin or aluminum cans at the drop-off center at Berkeley Recycling.

Non-empty aerosol cans, such as propane, butane and pesticides, should be recycled at
Alameda County’s Household Hazardous Waste FacilityPhone, directions, hours

City of Berkeley
The City of Berkeley offers recycling services to businesses in Berkeley; city staff will assist in designing and setting up programs to recycle glass, cans and paper.
City of Berkeley:(510) 981-7270. Website

The City of Berkeley
Program for Berkeley businesses recycles food scraps, flowers, paper, waxed cardboard, and unpainted wood scraps. Supplies carts or bins for organics. Collects on different schedules.

Includes such items as light bulbs, household batteries, and lamp ballasts. (Read about Universal Waste.) Berkeley Recycling accepts certain hazardous wastes such as fluorescent lamps and household batteries.[ref universal waste]

Radio Shack (several locations) also recycles some of thes materials. Call for details.
Propane tanks and gas cylinders
Berkeley Transfer Station accepts propane tanks for a $30 fee. Gas tanks and cylinders (up to 20 pounds) may be recycled in San Francisco for a fee. By appointment only.
Berkeley Transfer Station: Phone, directions, hours. Website
SF Recyling: (415) 330-1400. Website

Alameda County Hazardous Waste Facility
All types of cleaners, paints, solvents, pesticides and sprays accepted. Proof of Alameda County residency required.

Paints, Solvents and CleanersAlameda County Hazardous Waste Facility
All types of cleaners, paints, solvents, pesticides and sprays accepted. Be sure to take proof of Alameda County residency.
Phone, directions, hours. Website

Drums must be completely empty and dry and either cut in half or with a visible four-inch diameter hole. (Universal waste)

Televisions, monitors, laptops and flat screens

Alameda County Computer Resource Center (ACCRC)Phone, hours, directions. Website

Accepts cell phones and some accessories such as ear phones and cell phone batteries. See attendant for recycling instructions for “Universal Waste.”

Includes toasters, toaster ovens, fans, etc. Berkeley Recycling does not accept microwaves (see above).

Glass beverage containers, such as soft drinks, beer and carbonated juice are purchased at the Berkeley Recycling Buyback Center. We are a California Certified Recycling Center and pay California Redemption Value (CRV). Bottles must be empty with caps removed and must be separated by color to sell or donate.

Non-redemption glass containers accepted for drop-off. Bottles must have caps removed and must be separated by color. Window glass and drinking glasses are contaminants and must not be included with bottles and jars.

Window glass, drinking glasses
Non-container glass such as windows, drinking glasses, dishes and other ceramics are not accepted at Berkeley Recycling and are not currently recyclable. For more information see "Ceramics" in House and Garden category, on left.

House and Garden
See also Batteries & Household Hazardous Waste, on left.
Residential Curbside Recycling
Weekly collection of bottles, cans, plastics, newspaper, mixed papers and cardboard for single family homes and apartment buildings up to nine units.
Ecology Center, (510) 527-5555. Website

Plant debris and foodwaste
Berkeley residents may put plant debris and food waste kitchen paper(soiled paper napkins and towels)into green waste debris containers provided by City of Berkeley. Others may take their garden and lawn clippings to Berkeley’s Transfer Station at a reduced fee.

Non-residents may take garden and lawn clippings to:

All types of cleaners, paints, solvents, pesticides and sprays accepted. Bring proof of Alameda County residency.

Housewares and furniture – Re-Use
Urban Ore and other re-use facilities buy and sell used furniture, housewares, collectibles and other items. Goodwill Stores also accept clothing and household goods.
Urban Ore: (510) 841-SAVE Website

Electronic media such as CDs, DVDs and cassettes may be recycled with books at the Berkeley Recycling Center.

Most ink and toner cartridges can be returned to the manufacturer free of charge by mailing the packing box via UPS.
Or bring ink and toner cartridges to:
Office Depot, (510) 525-0176, 1225 Gilman Street, Berkeley. Website

Most dishes, pottery, crystal, clay flower pots and other ceramics are not recyclable and must be discarded in the trash. Some nurseries will accept flower pots. Re-use organizations such as Urban Ore will accept certain ceramics.

Empty aluminum helium tanks may be dropped off at Berkeley Recycling. (Universal Waste) They should have visible 4" hole. Full tanks should be taken to Alameda County Hazardous Waste Facility.

Alameda County Hazardous Waste: (800) 606-6606. Website

Berkeley Recycling accepts mostly metal scrap free of charge, including bicycle parts, washers, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, and metal toasters. Lawnmowers and small engines must have fluids drained prior to arrival. Berkeley Recycling does not accept 55-gallon drums (unless cut in half), cylinders or propane tanks. About Drop-off.
Berkeley Recycling CenterPhone, hours, directions. Website
Berkeley Transfer Station: Phone, hours, location. Website

Aluminum scrap includes foil, signs, aluminum windows, aluminum shavings, rims, scraps, car and bicycle parts. Berkeley Recycling will purchase your aluminum scrap, or accept it at the drop-off. Purchases limited to a maximum of $20.

Aluminum foil must be separate from aluminum scrap and cans; it should be free of food. Bi-metal cans, primarily pet food cans, may be added to aluminum foil at the drop-off or Buyback Center.

Newspaper usually includes newsprint, phone books and newspaper inserts. They should be dry and and may not include strings, boxes, brown paper bags, cardboard or plastic bags. These materials may be purchased (About Buyback) or accepted for drop-off.

Cardboard includes corrugated cardboard and brown paper which are purchased or accepted for drop-off. We do not accept wax coated cardboard. (Buyback)

Dry mixed papers, such as office pack, junk mail, magazines, and telephone books, are accepted for drop-off.

Milk and juice cartons
Packaging such as milk and juice cartons are not currently recyclable with mixed paper. Berkeley residents may include paper cartons with thier green organics bins. Aseptic packages that include plastic or foil should go intothe grey refuse bin. For more information, contact:

CRV beverage containers (#1-#7) such as those used for soft drinks, water, and carbonated juices, are purchased or accepted for drop-off. We are a California Certified Recycling Center and pay California Redemption Value (CRV). Bottles must be empty, caps removed, and sorted by plastic type. (About Buyback)

Bottles and jugs – non-CRV
Berkeley Recycling CenterOnly #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) non-CRV bottles, for purchase or drop-off, including cleaners, shampoos, 100% juice jugs and milk jugs. (About Buyback)

Bags and film plastic
Plastic bags and film plastic are not recyclable at Berkeley Recycling. Some grocery stores have recycling bins to drop-off clean and dry plastic bags, including #4 and #5 plastic (used to bag fresh produce), dry cleaning bags, and plastic shopping bags. Learn more at plasticbagrecycling.org
You may also contact:
Alameda County Hazardous Waste: Phone, hours, directions. Website

PET plastic (#1) is frequently used in clam shells and other rigid plastic packaging. Despite being labelled as “recyclable,” these plastics cannot be recycled with #1 plastic bottles and jugs at the Berkeley Recycling drop-off.

Buckets, tubs and pots
Berkeley Recycling does not accept buckets or tubs. Some nurseries accept used flower pots. Amigo Environmental in Richmond accepts most 3-6 gallon plastic buckets and pails, garbage bins, beverage and bakery trays.
Amigo Environmental: Website
Styrofoam and bubble wrap
Clean and dry styrofoam, bubble wrap and other packing materials may be accepted for re-use at some packaging stores such as Handle With Care in Berkeley. There are no recycling options for styrofoam, which should be discarded in the trash. For more information please contact