Recycling in El Cajon, CA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• PaintCare: California (opens in new tab) · PaintCare
  • PaintCare does not charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare sites accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bye Bye Mattress: Find a facility (locator) (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
  • Bye Bye Mattress lists collection sites in California that take mattresses for recycling; each listing states its service type, e.g. free drop-off for residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bye Bye Mattress lists the Otay Landfill as a mattress collection site with no limit (call before large quantities). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Service type: free drop-off for businesses and residents; open 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturdays. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Bye Bye Mattress lists the El Cajon Transfer Station, 925 O'Conner St., with a 5-unit maximum per vehicle. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Service type: free drop-off for residents; business drop-off not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
• EDCO City of El Cajon: Bulky Item Pickup (opens in new tab) · EDCO
  • EDCO schedules free curbside bulky-item pickup for items such as water heaters, appliances, furniture and televisions. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Four pickups a year of up to six items each (about three cubic yards). Checked October 26, 2026.
• EDCO City of El Cajon: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · EDCO
  • El Cajon residents may drop off household hazardous waste items such as CRTs free at 950 O'Connor St. by appointment on Saturdays. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Household hazardous waste includes auto batteries, latex and oil-based paint and electronic waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All batteries and electronic waste must be recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste facility or event, never placed in carts. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PaintCare drop-off site locator data (sites.json) (opens in new tab) · PaintCare
  • PaintCare lists Vista Paint at 1220 N Magnolia Ave, El Cajon 92020 as a paint drop-off site (limit: 20 gallons per visit). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare lists Dunn-Edwards at 1255 E Main St, El Cajon 92021 as a paint drop-off site (limit: 20 gallons per visit). Checked October 26, 2026.
• CalRecycle: Thank You for Recycling Your Electronic Waste! (consumer flyer) (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
  • CalRecycle says Californians have many opportunities to recycle unwanted e-waste with an authorized collector at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Because the state pays collectors only for e-waste from California, collectors of TVs and monitors ask for your name and address. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CalRecycle says it is against the law to throw electronic waste such as computer monitors, laptops and TVs in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CalRecycle: Electronic Waste Management (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
  • The CEW Recycling Program, set up under the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, provides all Californians with convenient recycling for unwanted electronics. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Since January 1, 2026, SB 1215 adds covered battery-embedded products (products with batteries not easily removed by the user) to the CEW Recycling Program. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CalRecycle: Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
  • Covered electronic devices are video display devices with screens over four inches diagonally: CRT TVs and monitors; LCD/LED TVs, monitors, laptops, tablets, smart displays and portable DVD players; plasma TVs; and OLED TVs, monitors, laptops and tablets. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A covered electronic device is a video display device with a screen greater than four inches measured diagonally. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CalRecycle: SB 1215 Covered Battery-Embedded Products (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
  • A covered battery-embedded product contains a battery not designed to be easily removed by the user with common household tools; certain medical devices, energy storage systems and e-cigarettes are excluded. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CalRecycle points people to its eRecycle directory to find a local e-waste collector. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CalRecycle: Paint Management (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
  • 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Aerosol paint and empty paint containers are not currently part of PaintCare's program; ask your city, county or hauler. Checked October 26, 2026.
• PaintCare: California paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab) · PaintCare Inc.
  • There is no charge for dropping off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare California drop-off sites are available to households, businesses, government agencies and others. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare sites accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • PaintCare offers a free large volume pickup for 100 or more gallons of leftover architectural paint. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bye Bye Mattress: Mattress Disposal in California (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
  • Bye Bye Mattress lets you drop off an old mattress at no additional cost at participating locations. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Before going, check acceptable items and contact the location with questions. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses can drop off units at no cost at participating locations, but unit limits may apply and an appointment may be required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Businesses with at least 100 mattresses can arrange a pickup through the Commercial Volume Program. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Bye Bye Mattress: What's Accepted/Unaccepted in California (opens in new tab) · Mattress Recycling Council
  • Mattresses and foundations (box springs) used and discarded by California consumers, individuals or businesses, qualify for no-cost drop-off in any condition and of any age. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • A box spring, also called a foundation, is the fabric-covered base that supports the mattress. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • In California a futon mattress that separates from its frame counts as a mattress. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Not covered: bed frames, air mattresses without upholstery, crib and bassinet mattresses, cushions, futon frames, sofa beds, water beds without upholstery, pillows, sleeping bags, stripped mattresses and out-of-state units. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Mattress pads and mattress toppers do not qualify for no-cost drop-off; a site may accept them separately. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Out-of-state mattresses and foundations (not from a California consumer or not used in California) are excluded. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.