Computer Recycling in San Francisco, CA

Computers and monitors go free to the SF Transfer Station at 501 Tunnel Ave., or out with a Recology bulky item pickup if they no longer work.

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Illustrative item photographDell / Unsplash

Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

4 ways to get rid of a computer in San Francisco

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

All 4 Free 3 Drop-off 1 Services & pickup 3

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · San FranciscoNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $85.00
How it works
Book online, set out your computer and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.
Book a pickup →
Recology SF Transfer Station (Public Disposal Area)Drop-off · 501 Tunnel Avenue, San FranciscoFree
Where
501 Tunnel Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94134
Hours
Monday–Friday 7 am–4:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday 7:30 am–4 pm. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Cost & rules
Computers
AcceptedFree (documented)
Fees for computers
Minimum disposal fee (all loads) $60.00 per visit
Uncovered load $20.00 per visit
Free when brought as a separate load of California-origin devices.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
Recology San Francisco Bulky Item CollectionPickup service · San FranciscoSan Francisco residentsFree
How it works
Curbside bulky item pickup by appointment for San Francisco residents: two no-charge collections a year for buildings of 5 units or fewer and one per unit in larger buildings, up to 10 items per appointment.
Official page (opens in new tab)
California Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling ProgramState program · CaliforniaOpen to everyoneConditions applyFree
How it works
Statewide program under the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, run by CalRecycle with DTSC and CDTFA and funded by a recycling fee paid when buying covered devices. Approved collectors are paid to take covered video display devices (TVs, monitors, laptops, tablets and other screens over 4 inches) and, since Jan. 1, 2026, battery-embedded products. CalRecycle says Californians can recycle e-waste with an authorized collector at no charge; find one in the eRecycle directory.
Cost & rules
- Covered: laptops, tablets and computer monitors with screens over 4 inches. Desktop towers without a screen are not listed as covered video display devices.
- Use an authorized (approved) collector; it will ask your name and address to confirm the item came from California. Find one in CalRecycle's eRecycle directory.
Official page (opens in new tab)

Fees for computers
Minimum disposal fee (all loads)	$60.00 per visit
Uncovered load	$20.00 per visit

Before you go

List each device and describe any damage to the operator.
Back up your files and erase the device using the maker’s instructions.
Ask whether documented data destruction is offered and what it costs.

More about computers

California rules

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)
Unwanted covered electronic devices are universal waste and may not go in household trash. Source: DTSC: Covered Electronic Devices (opens in new tab)

More California rules (8)

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)
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)
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)

Where this information comes from (25)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

SF Transfer Station & Hazardous Waste Facility (opens in new tab) · Recology San Francisco
- A $60 minimum disposal fee applies to all loads. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Uncovered loads are charged an extra $20. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Display devices are free only in separate loads of non-commercial, California-origin devices; mixed loads pay the disposal rate. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Computer monitors and laptop computers are taken at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
Mattresses & box springs (unusable) (SF Recycles) (opens in new tab) · San Francisco Environment Department
- SF Environment lists the transfer station public dump as serving businesses and residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
Bulky Items - Recology San Francisco (opens in new tab) · Recology San Francisco
- Buildings of 5 units or fewer get two curbside bulky collections a year at no additional charge; each unit in larger buildings gets one. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Up to 10 items per collection appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
Recology Bulky Item Recycling Pick-up Service (SF Recycles) (opens in new tab) · San Francisco Environment Department
- SF Environment: free service for San Francisco residents only. Checked October 26, 2026.
- SF Environment lists non-working computers and monitors as accepted by Recology bulky item pickup. 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: 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.
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
- CalRecycle points people to its eRecycle directory to find a local e-waste collector. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Covered Electronic Devices (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- Unwanted covered electronic devices are universal waste and may not go in household trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Laptops, computer CPUs and monitors are on CalRecycle's list of electronic devices not to put in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
- 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Checked October 26, 2026.

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

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