Recycling Drop-Off

If your items are still in good condition, we recommend visiting our Reduce, Reuse & Repair page for donation resources before opting for recycling. Additionally, consider repairing nonworking items by attending our Fixit Clinic, where you can learn to fix them yourself.

Drop-Off Locations

The following are drop-off recycling resources for frequently inquired items. Please note that as accepted materials and pricing can change, it is recommended to contact the company for the most up-to-date information before dropping off items.

For more recycling resources, visit our Recycle page to discover programs and resources offered by the Sustainability Department. You can also explore Recyclestuff.org, a convenient search engine for finding nearby donation and recycling options. Additionally, check out our Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Guide (PDF), a comprehensive resource for reusing, donating, and recycling.

Clothes and Textiles

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
Bay Rag 201 San Jose Avenue 800-245-RAGS	Free: recycles clean textiles made with at least 50% cotton; no underwear
USagain Multiple locations 800-604-9533	Free: recycles damaged and nonusable garments and clothing; has boxes located throughout the County

Electronics

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
E-waste Events (multiple)	Sustainability Department: Holds free e-waste and reuse drop-off events throughout the County. 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 Cities: Check with your city, as they may hold e-waste recycle events for their residents
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
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

Household Hazardous Waste (Automotive Supplies, Batteries, Chemicals, Light Bulbs, Paint, etc.)

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste Program	The Household Hazardous Waste Program is a free residential service that allows residents to safely dispose of hazardous waste such as automotive supplies, chemicals, cosmetics, poisons, and more. Visit their website for resources and information on proper disposal, including: Making a HHW drop-off appointment List of accepted items Recycling resources for free drop-off of: Batteries CFLs and Fluorescent Tubes Paint Mercury Thermostats and Thermometers Motor Oil and Filters Curbside pick-up options Businesses with hazardous waste may sign up for the County’s Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Program, which offers disposal options at a discounted rate.

Drop-off Locations

Information and Cost

San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste Program

The Household Hazardous Waste Program is a free residential service that allows residents to safely dispose of hazardous waste such as automotive supplies, chemicals, cosmetics, poisons, and more.

Visit their website for resources and information on proper disposal, including:

Making a HHW drop-off appointment
List of accepted items
Recycling resources for free drop-off of:
Curbside pick-up options

Businesses with hazardous waste may sign up for the County’s Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Program, which offers disposal options at a discounted rate.

Mattresses

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
Mattress Recycling Search Engine	Pickup: If you are having your mattress delivered, California law requires your retailer to offer to take back your old mattress at no additional cost. Free: Residential drop offs at multiple locations; daily limits apply. Recycling fee: May apply to businesses.

Medicine

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
Medicine Disposal Search Engine	Free: drop-offs at multiple locations

Media (VHS, Cassette Tapes, CDs)

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
GreenCitizen 1831 Bayshore Hwy, Ste 2, Burlingame 650-493-8700	Recycling fee: $1/lb.

Miscellaneous

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
Terracycle	Offers recycling programs to help you collect and recycle your hard-to-recycle items.

Plastic Bags

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
Grocery Stores (multiple)	Free: Grocery stores like Albertsons, Safeway, and Sprouts take clean plastic bags for recycling. Confirm with the store before drop off.

Scrap Metal

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
J&D Recycling 1015 N Amphlett Blvd, San Mateo 650-685-1901	Offers cash for scrap metal
Sims Metal 699 Seaport Boulevard, Redwood City 650-369-4161	Offers cash for scrap metal
Zarc Recycling 26 S Linden Ave, South San Francisco 650-871-7327	Offers cash for scrap metal

Sharps (Needles)

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
Sharps Needle Disposal Locations	Free: drop-offs at multiple locations

Shoes

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
Fleet Feet Sports 859 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park 650-325-9432	Free: recycles running shoes
Sports Basement 202 Walnut St, Redwood City 650-421-7440	Free: recycles all shoes

Styrofoam

Drop-off Locations	Information and Cost
GreenCitizen 1831 Bayshore Hwy, Ste 2, Burlingame 650-493-8700	Recycling fee: $5/30 gallon bag for styrofoam blocks Free: clean peanuts and unpopped bubble wrap
Zarc Recycling 26 S Linden Ave, South San Francisco 650-871-7327	Recycling fee: $3/lb. for styrofoam blocks