Recycling in California

Where to recycle, donate or get rid of things in 264 cities and towns across California. Pick your city, or search for your item. We also pick up anywhere in the state.

Find your city or county

Don’t see your town? Check its county. County landfills and programs usually cover smaller towns.

Alameda County

Butte County

Contra Costa County

El Dorado County

Kern County

Kings County

Hanford6
Lemoore1

Madera County

Madera5

Marin County

Mendocino County

Ukiah10

Merced County

Monterey County

Napa County

American Canyon9
Napa10

Nevada County

Placer County

Riverside County

Sacramento County

San Benito County

Hollister11

San Bernardino County

San Diego County

San Francisco County

San Francisco14

San Joaquin County

San Luis Obispo County

San Mateo County

Santa Barbara County

Santa Clara County

Santa Cruz County

Shasta County

Anderson8
Redding11

Solano County

Sonoma County

Stanislaus County

Sutter County

Yuba City8

Tulare County

Ventura County

Yolo County

Yuba County

Marysville8

California rules

Unwanted covered electronic devices are universal waste and may not go in household trash. Source: DTSC: Covered Electronic Devices (opens in new tab)
DTSC says e-waste (any unwanted electronic device or CRT) is a universal waste in California, a type of hazardous waste, and must go to an authorized e-waste handler, not household trash. Source: DTSC: Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) (opens in new tab)
DTSC lists typical e-waste as TVs, monitors, tablets, laptops, computers, printers, VCRs, DVD players, cell phones, telephones and radios. Source: DTSC: Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) (opens in new tab)

More California rules (52)

Smashing or destroying e-waste without authorization is illegal, including in rage rooms. Source: DTSC: Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) (opens in new tab)
The Cell Phone Recycling Act of 2004 requires cell phone retailers to have a take-back program for customers' used cell phones. Source: DTSC: Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle's banned-from-trash list says not to throw electronic devices in the trash, including TVs, monitors, laptops, computer CPUs, printers, radios, microwave ovens, VCRs and phones. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle says it is against the law to throw electronic waste such as computer monitors, laptops and TVs in the trash. Source: CalRecycle: Thank You for Recycling Your Electronic Waste! (consumer flyer) (opens in new tab)
Laptops, computer CPUs and monitors are on CalRecycle's list of electronic devices not to put in the trash. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
Microwave ovens are on CalRecycle's list of electronic devices not to throw in the trash. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
Buyers pay a CEW recycling fee on new video display devices: $4 (over 4 to under 15 inches), $5 (15 to under 35 inches), $6 (35 inches or more). Source: CalRecycle: Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (opens in new tab)
Battery-embedded products such as many cell phones, smart watches, wireless speakers and headphones carry a recycling fee of 1.5% of the retail price, capped at $15 per device. Source: CalRecycle: Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (opens in new tab)
The CEW recycling fee is not a deposit and is not refunded when you recycle. Source: CalRecycle: Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Fee (opens in new tab)
California law prohibits putting old batteries in the trash or in household recycling bins. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
Common household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt and button cells, single-use or rechargeable) can be hazardous waste when discarded. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
Store old batteries in a safe, dry place away from flammables and tape over the terminals to avoid fires. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
Many local governments and retailers accept old batteries; DTSC says to contact your local waste service provider. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
Retailers that sell rechargeable batteries must accept consumers' used rechargeable batteries; take-back of other batteries such as alkalines is voluntary. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
The Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022 (AB 2440) requires battery producers to set up a stewardship program for collecting and recycling covered loose and easily removable batteries; it repeals the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act on January 1, 2027. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
Automotive-type lead-acid batteries are not universal waste; they fall under separate rules. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste for Residents - Batteries (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle lists all batteries, rechargeable and single-use, plus lead-acid car batteries, as banned from the trash, recycling and organics bins. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
Lead-acid battery dealers must accept used starting, motive-power and vehicle auxiliary lead-acid batteries without charging a fee, but need not take more than six per person per day. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25215.2 (lead-acid battery dealers) (opens in new tab)
Buyers of a replacement lead-acid battery pay a nonrefundable $2 California battery fee and a refundable deposit, credited if a used battery is returned at purchase or within 45 days with the receipt. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25215.2 (lead-acid battery dealers) (opens in new tab)
Under the dealer rules, a lead-acid battery weighs over five kilograms, is mainly lead and sulfuric acid, and has a capacity of six volts or more. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25215.1 (lead-acid battery definitions) (opens in new tab)
A household hazardous waste facility may refuse spent batteries beyond its storage capacity and may charge a fee limited to its handling, storage and disposal costs for them. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25216.1 (spent battery collection) (opens in new tab)
DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab)
It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Source: CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Tires are not hazardous but are banned from the trash to prevent mosquito breeding and tire fires. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
Anyone transporting 10 or more used or waste tires must hold a valid waste tire hauler registration. Source: CalRecycle: Used and Waste Tire Haulers (opens in new tab)
Local enforcement agencies may give individuals a one-time exemption to haul waste tires to a local disposal site or amnesty day event in their jurisdiction. Source: CalRecycle: Used and Waste Tire Haulers (opens in new tab)
A fee on the sale of new tires funds the California Tire Recycling Management Fund under the Tire Recycling Act of 1989. Source: CalRecycle: Tire Management Overview (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle's Tire Management Program hotline is (866) 896-0600 (WasteTires@calrecycle.ca.gov). Source: CalRecycle: Tire Management Overview (opens in new tab)
No one may put a major appliance or other metallic discard in mixed municipal solid waste or dump it on land; it must go to a reuse or recycling processor, a solid waste facility for salvage, or a landfill only if salvage is economically infeasible. Source: California Public Resources Code section 42170 (major appliances and metallic discards) (opens in new tab)
Solid waste facilities may not accept for disposal any major appliance, vehicle or other metallic discard with enough metal to be economically feasible to salvage. Source: California Public Resources Code section 42170 (major appliances and metallic discards) (opens in new tab)
DTSC defines a major appliance to include washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters, dehumidifiers, ovens, microwave ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, trash compactors and residential furnaces. Source: DTSC: Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program (opens in new tab)
Materials that require special handling (such as refrigerants, PCB capacitors, used oil and mercury switches) must be removed from major appliances before they are crushed or processed for scrap, and only certified appliance recyclers may remove them. Source: DTSC: Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program (opens in new tab)
Refrigerants (CFCs, HCFCs and replacements) in refrigeration and air-conditioning units are materials that require special handling. Source: DTSC: Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program (opens in new tab)
Washing machines and clothes dryers are major appliances under the special-handling rules. Source: DTSC: Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program (opens in new tab)
Microwave ovens are major appliances under the special-handling rules. Source: DTSC: Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program (opens in new tab)
DTSC publishes a listing of Certified Appliance Recyclers to find one in your area. Source: DTSC: Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) Program (opens in new tab)
Special-handling materials in major appliances may not be disposed of at a solid waste facility and must be removed before the appliance is crushed, shredded or disposed of. Source: California Health and Safety Code section 25212 (major appliance special-handling materials) (opens in new tab)
Oil-based paint waste is hazardous and latex paint waste is presumed hazardous in California. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
Drying out paint without a hazardous waste treatment permit is prohibited; take leftover paint, including dried paint, to a drop-off location. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
Architectural paint sold in containers of five gallons or less can be dropped off at many retail and other collection sites; aerosol coatings and related products join the program by January 1, 2028 at the latest. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
Aerosol paint and empty paint containers are not currently part of PaintCare's program; ask your city, county or hauler. Source: CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle approved a PaintCare fee increase on October 15, 2026, effective May 1, 2027. Source: PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
The PaintCare fee on new paint is $0.30 (over a half pint to under 1 gallon), $0.65 (1-2 gallons) and $1.50 (over 2 to 5 gallons), rising to $0.45, $0.95 and $1.95 on May 1, 2027. Source: PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
When a new mattress is delivered, California law requires the retailer to offer to take back your old mattress at no additional cost (delivery fees may still apply; the retailer has up to 30 days and may refuse a mattress that poses a health or safety risk). Source: Bye Bye Mattress: Mattress Disposal in California (opens in new tab)
Retailers may refuse to pick up a contaminated mattress; the recycling fee is not refunded in that case. Source: Bye Bye Mattress: California Retailer Pick Up FAQ (opens in new tab)
California's mattress recycling fee changed to $18.00 on April 1, 2026. Source: Mattress Recycling Council: California program (opens in new tab)
Retailers must collect the recycling fee on all mattress and box spring purchases. Source: Bye Bye Mattress: California Retailer Pick Up FAQ (opens in new tab)
Some local governments provide free bulky item pickup; Bye Bye Mattress keeps a directory and notes which recycle with the program. Source: Bye Bye Mattress: Mattress Disposal in California (opens in new tab)

Items we cover

Televisions Mattresses Box springs Cardboard Computers Couches Furniture Refrigerators and freezers Washers and dryers Microwaves Exercise equipment Paint Tires Batteries Scrap metal Other electronics