Recycling in San José, CA

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Household Hazardous Waste Operating Schedule (opens in new tab) · County of Santa Clara
  • An appointment is required and the drop-off address is provided after booking. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Household Hazardous Waste | City of San José (opens in new tab) · City of San José
  • All HHW can be disposed of for free by appointment or at a take-back location. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • HHW includes batteries, paint, household cleaners and propane tanks. Checked October 26, 2026.
• ReStore Recycling (mattresses, paint, electronics) (opens in new tab) · Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley
  • ReStore San Jose, 1608 Las Plumas Ave., San Jose, CA 95133; drop-off Wed–Sun 10 am–4 pm. Checked October 26, 2026.
• San José residents: Have junk to get rid of? (opens in new tab) · City of San José
  • Residents can schedule a no-cost curbside Junk Pickup through San José 311. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Junk Pickup is available at no cost for single-family homes and multi-family complexes, owners and renters. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All items must come from your residence. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Requests may include up to 12 items. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Accepted junk includes mattresses, furniture and tires. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Items and Instructions for Junk Pickup (opens in new tab) · City of San José
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: No bed bugs, mold or fecal matter; lay flat on the street and cover with plastic if raining. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: No bed bugs, mold or fecal matter; lay flat on the street. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: Roll up and tie; no bed bugs, mold or fecal matter. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: Each sectional piece counts as one item; cover with plastic if raining. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: Empty it, remove glass shelves, and unlock and tape the doors; no commercial appliances. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: No liquid inside; tape doors shut; no commercial appliances. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: Remove the glass tray and secure the cord. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: Wrap and secure the cord. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: Box with cords and cables, max 60 lb per box. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: Fold treadmills if foldable; do not disassemble; wrap the cord. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • San José Junk Pickup accepts this item with set-out instructions: Passenger vehicle and pickup tires only, max 60 lb each; a separate rim counts as another item. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Exercise bikes are also on the Junk Pickup list. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Scrap metal is accepted bundled; one bundle (max 5 ft x 2 ft, 60 lbs) counts as one item. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Printers, copiers and fax machines (non-commercial) go boxed with cords, max 60 lbs per box. 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.