We have to admit that creating this Great List for you was quite the project. There are just so many great places to recycle these days and so many different things that can be recycled. We tried to give you a lot of options in a lot of areas all over SoCal and even some programs for things you never thought you could recycle! So dive in and help lessen your footprint on the planet!
All Over SoCal…
rePlanet Recycling Kiosks
Look for these cute clean modern do-it-yourself recycling kiosks popping up all over SoCal, especially in Ralph’s and Albertson’s parking lots. They accept CRV (California Redemption Value) aluminum cans, glass bottles and PET plastic bottles. Click the link below and enter your zip code to find the rePlanet kiosk nearest you!
877-737-5263 // Website
Southern California Edison
Did you know that Southern California Edison will pick up your old refrigerator or freezer that you just replaced with your brand new SubZero, and recycle it for you? And, they’ll even pay you for it ($35 for a refrigerator and $50 for a freezer)! Plus, you’ll save up to $260 annually on your bill. What’s up with that?! The downside…you do have to be an SCE customer and the appliances need to be working.
LADWP
What a surprise…LADWP has a similar program to SCE’s, called RETIRE, so its customers can recycle their old refrigerators and freezers. You get a $35 rebate and they’ll pick it up for free. And, you’ll save up to $192 on your bill. Just make sure the refrigerator still works…LAWDP doesn’t want your broken down one.
Los Angeles Area
888cleanla.com
The resource of resources for recycling in Los Angeles…everything you ever wanted to know and then some…too much for us to try to explain here. You’ll just have to get on the website and learn, baby, learn!
Sponsored by the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division
900 S. Fremont Ave, 3rd Floor Annex, Alhambra, CA 91803
888-CLEAN LA // Website
City of Santa Monica Recycling
The City of Santa Monica has got its community covered when it comes to recycling. Here’s the low down.
Community Recycling Center: This center buys and sorts cans, glass and plastic, as well as mixed paper products, cardboard, valuable scrap metal and used motor oil.
2411 Delaware Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
310-453-9677 // Website
Refuse Transfer Station: This is a fee-based service of the city that takes scrap metal, tires, electronics and appliances.
2401 Delaware Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Open Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
310-829-7323 // Website
Household Hazardous Waste Center: Here’s where you bring the dangerous things, like paint, chemicals, etc. (There’s a complete list on the website). You have to be a Santa Monica resident to use the service (and they will ask you for proof).
2500 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Open Wednesday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. & Saturday from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (except holidays)
310-458-2213 (main office) // 310-458-8255 (center) // Website
Corridor Recycling’s Shredding Services
These guys claim to have the largest shredder in California, shredding tons of paper in minutes. Wouldn’t you just love to see that?! Corridor offers a fee-based off-site program to shred old tax files, classified records, employee files and any other shredding needs, providing lockable security bins. The company also offers other fee-based recycling programs for cans and bottles, plastic, assorted metals and electronic waste.
22500 South Alameda Street, Long Beach, CA 90810
310-835-9109 // Website
Full Circle Recycling
This ones all about businesses or large multi-unit residential buildings. For a weekly or monthly fee, they’ll get your business set up for recycling paper, plastic and cans, providing the bins and the pick-up service.
1920 Randolph St., L.A., CA 90001
323-583-6188 // Website
Recycle for a Cause and the Precious Cure
This is a company called BCS, which has been in the recycling business since 1988. BCS makes it very easy for you to recycle your old cell phones, PDA’s, ink cartridges, computers and more. You can drop them off or BCS will send you boxes to ship to them. The best part is that the company will donate money to an organization of your choice ($3 per cell phone, $2.50 per ink cartridge, $10 for a laptop computer, etc.). Think of the fundraising possibilities if you get your whole organization behind it. BCS also wants you old precious metal (i.e., watches, cuff links, broken jewelry, coins). You’ll get an appraisal and a donation form for that sought-after tax deduction.
8735 Remmet Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91304
888-286-7188 // Website
S.A.F.E. (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics)
Here’s where LA County helps you get rid of all the really yucky hazardous waste stuff – motor oil, paint, pesticides, car batteries, etc., and some more precious belongings, like your old electronics (computers, stereos and televisions).
San Pedro: 1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90021
Open Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Glendale: 4600 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039
Open Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Playa Del Rey: 7660 W. Imperial Hwy., Gate B, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Open Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sun Valley: 11025 Randall St., Sun Valley, CA 91352
Open Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
West Los Angeles: UCLA, 550 Charles E. Young Dr. West, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Electronics accepted on Saturday only
Los Angeles: 2649 E. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90021
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All locations are closed on rainy days, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Years Day.
Smart Business Recycling
Here’s the ultimate resource from Los Angeles County to help businesses recycle. There is a “Recycler Locator” on each page of the website to access more than 300 recyclers for everything from bottles, cans, papers and plastics to computers, concrete, textiles, tires and wood. The site also includes industry-specific tips for reducing trash and a lot more.
Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division
900 S. Fremont Ave, 3rd Floor Annex, Alhambra, CA 91803-1331
888-CLEAN-LA // Website
SoCal Computer Recyclers
We really like this company’s name… SoCal’s services are fee-based, but they will take away and recycle all you e-waste (electronics equipment), whether you’re an individual, small business or large corporation. Plus, they have a lot of other “bell and whistle” type services.
1430 240th Street, Harbor City, CA 90710
877-PC-RECYCLE // Website
Orange County Area…
Drop-off Recycling Sites
These sites are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your convenience and accept glass, plastic bottles, metal/aluminum and aerosol spray cans (must be empty), phonebooks and newspapers, magazines, etc.
Animal Shelter: Off Martin Luther King Blvd. on Municipal Drive
Cedar Falls Park: One mile east of Martin Luther King Blvd., off of Weaver Dairy Road
University Mall: Mall parking lot, behind the gas station on Estes Drive
Hampton Pointe: Behind Home Depot, Hwy. 86 in Hillsborough
Carrboro Plaza: Behind ABC Store on the southeast corner of the Plaza
Solid Waste Convenience Centers
These centers take plastic, glass bottles, newspapers, etc., and some hazardous materials, like motor oil, batteries and electronics.
Eubanks Road: One mile west of Hwy. 86
Ferguson Road: At intersection of Old Greensboro Road
Bradshaw Quarry Road: At intersection of Oak Grove Church Road
High Rock Road: ¼ mile west of Mill Creek Road
Walnut Grove Church Road: At intersection of Hwy. 86 North
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Saturday from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; closed Wednesdays
HHWCC (Hazardous Household Waste Collection Centers)
If you live in the OC and you’re looking for a place to take those electronics (cell phones, computers, microwaves, etc), paint cans, batteries, medications, or anything else for that matter, there are four locations. Also be sure to check out the Stop and Swap program, available at the Irvine, Anaheim and Huntington Beach locations, where you can drop off your partially used containers and pick up someone else’s for free…who knows…you might find that beautiful paint color that would look great in your bedroom…
6411 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92623
1071 N. Blue Gum St., Anaheim, CA 92806
17121 Nichols St., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
32250 La Pata Ave., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
714-834-6752 // Website
San Diego Area…
The Miramar Recycling Center
Run by the City of San Diego, this center takes just about everything, as far as we can tell (except mattresses and box springs…and you do have to pay them $6 to take an old toilet…).
5165 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111
858- 268-8971 // Website
Recycle San Diego
This place is great if you need to get rid of your old electronics. You can drop things off at the company’s site six days a week or pay a fee to have it picked up. Recycle San Diego also sponsors monthly drop-off events around San Diego. Check the website for what’s coming up!
7716 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92111
Open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
866-525-6655 // Website
HHW (Household Hazardous Waste) Drop-off Centers
These are the centers in the San Diego area where you take electronics (TVs, computers, radios, etc.) and other hazardous waste (paint, oil, pesticides, fluorescent light bulbs, motor oil, etc.).
El Cajon Recycling Center
925 O’Conner St., El Cajon, CA 92020
Open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. by appointment only
800-DUMPSTER or 619-596-5100 // Website
Ramona Household Waste Collection Facility
324 Maple St., Ramona, CA 92065
Open Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; closed on holiday weekends
877-R-1-EARTH // Website
Waste Management Buyback and Recycling Center
The San Diego El Cajon Recycling Center takes back cans, plastic and glass bottles for cash back.
El Cajon Recycling Center
925 O’Conner St., El Cajon, CA 92020
Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
800-DUMPSTER or 619-596-5100 // Website
Santa Barbara Area…
Computers for Families
The Santa Barbara County Education program (SBCEO) has a wonderful program where used computers and monitors that you recycle are used to teach the boys at Los Prietos Boys Camp of the County Probation Department how to repair and upgrade them. The equipment is then donated to students attending Santa Barbara County public schools for use at home.
Computers for Families
4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93160
805-964-4711, extention 5400 // Website
Computers in Our Future
This is Santa Barbara City College’s (SBCC) recycling program, which accepts donations of used computers through the year. Then, during summer sessions, the SBCC teaches students how to repair or upgrade the computers, which are then donated to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County.
Computers in Our Future
310 West Padre St., Santa Barbara 93105
805- 687-1583 // Website
Santa Barbara County Recycling & Transfer Centers
This is where households can drop off all types of electronics free of charge, including computers, monitors, televisions, printers, fax and copy machines, scanners, shredders, audio & video cassette recorders, turntables, amplifiers, speakers, compact disc/DVD players, telephones (including cell phones), camcorders, cameras, radios, microwave ovens, toasters, hair dryers, vacuums, electric typewriters and…yes…even your old electric shaver.
South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station
4430 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA // 805-681-4345
Open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station
4004 Foxen Canyon Rd., Los Olivos, CA // 805-688-3555
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
New Cuyama Transfer Station
5073 Highway 166, New Cuyama, CA // 661-766-2284
Open Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m. in the summer and from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the winter
Ventucopa Transfer Station
Highway 33, Ventucopa, CA // 805-448-7489
Open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m. in the summer and from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the winter
But wait…there’s more!
Apple and the Environment
We all want the latest greatest iPod, but what do we do with our old ones? We send them back to Apple for recycling, free of charge, and Apple even gives us a prepaid mailing label. Plus, the company also will take back old cell phones, regardless of the manufacturer and recycle those too! The computers, you ask? If you buy a new Mac, Apple will recycle your old computer (it doesn’t matter what brand it is).
800-MY-APPLE // Website
Back to M•A•C Program
You’ve gotta’ love M•A•C! Not only does the company support HIV/Aids organizations with 100% of its Viva Glam lipstick sales, but M•A•C also recycles! Return six M•A•C primary packaging containers to any M•A•C counter or M•A•C Cosmetics Online and you get a free M•A•C Lipstick of your choice (except Viva Glam, which is already working hard to support another cause).
Best Buy’s Tech Trash
Best Buy is just the best! Every Best Buy store has a kiosk right inside the door where you can drop off old cell phones, ink cartridges and rechargeable batteries. Then, there’s the Haul-Away program where, for a nominal fee, they will take away your old TV, computer or appliances, when your new Best Buy equipment is delivered. And, if you purchase a new cell phone from Best Buy, the company will provide you with a postage-paid envelope to mail your old cell phone to ReCellular, the company’s recycling partner, who then donates money from the program to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
But wait, there’s more! Best Buy also hosts weekend recycling events in its parking lots throughout the year where you can bring your old electronics. Click here to find out when one is happening in your area.
Dell – Recycle, Reduce, Reuse Programs
Recycle: Buy a new Dell computer, they’ll take your old one and recycle it at no cost to you. They don’t even care if it’s a different brand!
Reduce: Buy a refurbished Dell system, save money and lessen the amount of new materials used. You still get the Dell standard warranty!
Reuse: Through Dell’s partnership with the National Cristina Foundation (NCF), you can donate your old computers to disabled and economically disadvantaged children and adults.
For Businesses: If you’re a large business or corporation and don’t know what do with your old computers, click here to get some help from Dell.
Freecycle.org
Here’s an interesting concept. The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Post your old stuff and give it away to people who need it. Look at other peoples’ stuff and see if you need something. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer. Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by entering it into the search box. LA, alone, has 90,000 members! Have fun!
Gateway Trade-In and Asset Recover Program
So, Gateway gives you cash for your old Gateway computer equipment…yes, cash…with proof of purchase of a new Gateway or eMachines product. Nothing else needs to be said…
HP’s Responsible Stewardship
HP takes any manufacturer’s computer hardware and recycles it for you…for a small fee…
Lions Recycle for Sight
Here’s what you do with all the old prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses that have been sitting…and sitting… in your drawer. Send them to the Lions in Sight, so they can bring the gift of sight to those in need throughout the world.
1404 Lemon Street, Vallejo, CA 94590
(925) 708-4833 // Website
Martha Stewart’s Best Compost Recipe
Let Martha Stewart guide you into recycling your leftover food scraps to make rich compost. Your garden will thank you. And that’s all we’re going to say about that.
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program
Have you ever wondered what to do with those worn-out, smelly running partners? (Stop thinking what you’re thinking…we’re talking about your shoes!) Send them to Nike. Nike accepts any brand of athletic shoe, then grinds them up and turns them into various new sports surfaces, from running tracks to the padding under hardwood basketball courts.
Drop them off at:
Niketown, 9560 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212 // 310.275.9998
Or you can mail them to:
Nike Recycling Center, c/o Reuse-A-Shoe, 26755 SW 95th Ave., Wilsonville, OR 97070
Precycling
This is where you take control before you even have to recycle. Get off the junk mail train! The majority of us receive more junk mail then we know what to do with and we end up “filing” it in the “brown bag.” Take control and get off those pesky mailing lists. This website offers great information on stopping junk mail, email and phone calls. Let the Precycling Revolution begin!
Project Princess
Here’s a great one. This organization takes old prom dresses, other formal wear and accessories and recycles them to high school girls who could otherwise not afford them. Okay, so it’s located in NorCal, but last time we checked, there’s this thing called the mail??! Come on…you know you still have a dress or two and shoes to match!
P.O. Box 471045, San Francisco, CA 94147-1045
415-269-6667 // Website
Staples School Support Program
Wait…don’t you toss that empty ink or laser cartridge into the trash! Take those bad boys to any Staples for recycling and the company will donate $3 to a school of your choice for each cartridge you drop off. Don’t forget to pick up some recycled paper while you’re there. You can also take your used computers, monitors, laptops, printers and fax machines to any Staples store, where the equipment will be recycled in accordance with environmental laws. The stores accept any brand even if it wasn’t purchased at Staples.
Make sure you keep checking back, because we hope to be adding new ones as we find them. And, if you like this list, we'd appreciate you passing it along to your friends!! We all know how important recycling is.
Do you have great recycling locations that we missed? Let us know at greatlists@whiteapricot.com.
