Electronics Recycling

In San Mateo County, it is illegal to throw away nearly all electronics. Any device powered by electricity (including batteries) that contains circuitry (such as TVs, electronic toys, lamps, and kitchen appliances), and is identified by the State of California as hazardous or universal waste, must be responsibly recycled. Improper disposal of electronics can pollute the air, soil, and groundwater, contaminate the waste stream, and expose workers to harmful conditions.

Electronics Reuse & Recycling Drop-Off Events and Locations

There are many electronics reuse and recycle drop-off options in San Mateo County.

Free Drop-Off Events:

Sustainability Department
- Hosts free e-waste and reuse drop-off events countywide. Upcoming events
- Fixit Clinic: Learn to repair your electronics instead of recycling them.
Rethink Waste
- Holds free e-waste, shred, and compost giveaway events for cities in the Recology San Mateo service area. Upcoming events
Local Jurisdictions
- Check with your city or town, as they may hold e-waste recycle events for their residents

Donation and Recycling Locations:

Electronics in good working condition can often be donated so that they can be used by other people or organizations. For broken electronics, there are multiple electronics drop-off recycling centers.

Donation Locations

Donated electronics must be in good working condition. Please note that as accepted materials can change, it is recommended to contact the company for the most up-to-date information before dropping off items.

Drop-off Locations	Notes
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop 748 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park 650-325-8939
Ecumenical Hunger Program 2411 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto 650-323-7781
Goodwill of San Francisco Bay 415-575-2137
PARCA 800 Airport Blvd. Suite 320, Burlingame 877-997-2722	Accepts flatscreen TVs 60″ and smaller
Pick of the Litter 1127 Chula Vista Avenue, Burlingame 650-344-1662	Call for approval before drop-off
St. Francis Center 151 Buckingham Avenue, Redwood City 650-365-7829	Accepts computers 4 years old or less
Samaritan House 4031 Pacific Boulevard, San Mateo 650-341-4081
Savers 875 Main Street, Redwood City 650-364-5545
The Salvation Army Redwood City, South San Francisco and San Bruno 800-728-7825
Turnstyle Thrift Store 60 North B Street, San Mateo 650-342-2367	Does not accept TVs, computers, or printers
United Cerebral Palsy Association 1060 El Camino Real, San Carlos 650-593-1811	Accepts computers; no TVs over 32″

Recycling Locations

Please note accepted materials and pricing can change, therefore it is recommended to contact the company for the most up-to-date information before dropping off electronics.

Drop-off Locations	Notes
Best Buy	Free: computers, cell phones, some appliances, toner, etc. Recycling fee: some electronics
Blue Line Transfer Station 500 E. Jamie Ct, South San Francisco 650-589-5511	Free: cell phones, computer monitors, TVs, CRTs Recycling fee: all other electronics
Crown Computer Recycling 110 Glenn Way, Unit 19, San Carlos 650-585-6531	Free: anything electronic, CDs and DVDs (no case), cables, etc.
GreenCitizen 1831 Bayshore Hwy, Ste 2, Burlingame 650-493-8700	Free: computers, monitors, TVs, UPS batteries, network switches Recycling fee: $1/lb. for all other electronics
Shoreway Environmental Center 333 Shoreway Rd, San Carlos 650-802-8355	Free for residents: consumer electronics (TVs, appliances, printers, etc.) Recycling fee: large electronics like refrigerators and copy machines
Strawflower Electronics 160 San Mateo Rd #B, Half Moon Bay 650-726-8181	Recycling fee for some electronics
Zarc Recycling 26 S Linden Ave, South San Francisco 650-871-7327	Free: TVs, monitors, cables, computer parts, ballasts Recycling fee: All other electronics

For additional drop-off options, visit Recyclestuff.org or check out our Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Guide (PDF) for a comprehensive list of donation and recycling locations for your electronics.

Requirements and Resources

County’s Collection and Recycling Ordinance

County ordinance require that all collectors of recyclable electronics in the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County process their electronics with a certified electronics recycler.

Below is a list of County-approved electronics certification programs recognized by this ordinance:

e-Stewards®: a standard that incorporates all the requirements of ISO 14001, enhanced to address health and safety, data security, reuse and refurbishment, recycling chain accountability, export restrictions and more.
Responsible Recycling (R2): a standard that addresses environmental protection, health and safety, data security, reuse and refurbishment, recycling chain accountability, export restrictions and more.

Electronics Recycling Collection Events in Unincorporated Areas

County ordinances require that at least 10 days before any electronics recycling collection event, the collector must notify the County by providing the following information:

Contact information including name, address, telephone number, and website.
The date and location of the electronics recycling collection event.
The certified electronics recycler(s) that all collected electronics will be delivered to.

Click here to download the Notification Form (PDF). Please fill out the form and submit it by email to sustainability@smcgov.org or by mail to: Waste Reduction Program, Sustainability Department, 455 County Center, 4th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063.

Additionally, any public notices or advertisements for the collection event must include the information listed above (contact information, date & location of event, name of certified electronics recycler). This information must be prominently posted at all electronics collection events.

For a list of collectors or certified processors to recycle (or donate) electronics, please visit our database. Use search categories of Electronics and Computer Equipment or you can call the Sustainability Department Hotline at 1-888-442-2666. Click here to see the full text of the ordinance (PDF).

Electronics Reuse and Recycling Program Development Toolkit

The County of San Mateo’s Sustainability Department created this toolkit as a resource to capture and document efforts completed to develop the County’s existing electronics reuse and recycling program. This toolkit is intended to be shared with other local governments that may also be interested in undertaking similar initiatives to address their electronics waste stream. The toolkit includes various resources (listed and summarized below) that were developed and utilized by the County as well as other nearby local governments to successfully design and implement their electronics programs.