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6-Pack Rings
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ABS Plastic
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Aerosol Can - Empty
Berkeley's Recycling Center does not have the capacity to safely accept aerosol cans. Please see locations below for disposal and recycling options.
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Agricultural Plastics & Film
Farm quantity may have recycling options.
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Air Mattress
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Aseptic Packs
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Ashes - Grill/Fireplace
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Auto Glass
Damaged, broken condition.
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Balloons
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Berry Baskets - Woven Plastic
Damaged, broken condition. Return to local market for reuse.
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Blueprint Paper
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Bubble Envelopes - Paper or Mylar
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Bubble Wrap
Loose bubble wrap jams recycling equipment. Consider collecting for future reuse or donation. If collected as bag-of-bags for grocery store drop-off, must be clean and dry. Loose bubble wrap jams recycling equipment. Consider collecting for future reuse or donation.
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Camera Film & Slides
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Cardboard - Foil-lined
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Cassette & VHS Tapes - Non-working
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CD/DVD - Non-working/Non-commercial
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CD/DVD Jewel Cases
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Child Car Seats - Non-working/Expired/Accident
Consider removing all straps and covers to offer to another family with the same model. Include a photo of the assembled car seat and brand/model. Rigid plastic base with any foam removed (trash) may then be possibly collected for recycling in a bin that fits or collected during bulky pick up.
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Christmas Trees - Artificial
Poor, damaged condition. Must cut to fit in refuse cart with lid closed or placed in Bulky Item Collection.
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Cigarette Waste
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Cleaning Wipes - Used
Do not flush. Wipes are made from plastic resins, do not degrade in compost, and clog pipes.
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Clothing - Undergarments - Poor Condition
Poor, damaged condition beyond repair or recycling.
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Coffee Pods - Metal/Plastic
Empty coffee or tea grounds in the compost first. Consider investing in reusable pods.
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Corks - Plastic/Synthetic
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Disposable Diapers & Wipes - Used
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Dryer & Vacuum Lint
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Foam Padding
Poor, damaged condition. Large, high quality pieces may desired for reuse in local community.
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Food Service Ware - Condiment Packets & Cups
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Food Service Ware - Paper Products - Poly-coated
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Food Service Ware - Plastic Cups & Plates
All disposable foodware sold in Berkeley is required to be BPI certified compostable. Find more information about Berkeley's Single Use Disposable Reduction ordinance here: https://berkeleyca.gov/doing-business/operating-berkeley/food-service/single-use-foodware-rules
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Food Service Ware - Plastic Utensils
Consider washing for reuse or switching to reusables.
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Food Service Ware - Styrofoam Products
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Food Service Ware - To-Go Cup Lids
Consider washing for reuse or switching to reusables.
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Gel Ice Packs
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Glassware - Decorative & Kitchen - Non-working
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Hardware & Fasteners
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Hoses - Garden/Rubber - Non-working
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Houseware - Non-working
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Insulation - Used
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Jewelry - Non-working
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Lab Glassware - Poor Condition
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Lab Plastics - Used
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Light Bulbs - Incandescent/Halogen
These do not contain mercury and are not recyclable.
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Lighting Fixtures - Non-working
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Luggage - Non-working
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Medals/Trophies/Ribbons
Broken, damaged, or unable to be donated
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Metal Bottle Caps
If attached to a glass jar, put it in the recycling bin. Consider collecting for reuse projects.
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Microscopes & Accessories - Non-working
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Milk & Ice Cream Paper Cartons
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Mirror
Place broken glass in paper bag or box and label "broken glass."
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Multi-layer Plastic Packaging
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Musical Instruments & Gear - Non-working
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Nail polish - Empty
Use up nail polish, trade with friends, or bring full containers to the HHW facilities as most nail polishes contain toxic chemicals.
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Packing Peanuts - Styrofoam
Bag to prevent spilling during hauler pick-up. Save for reuse as possible.
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Paper - Carbon
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Paper - Plastic Laminated
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Paper Bags - Polycoated
Empty and free of food and crumbs.
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Paper Receipts - Thermal
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Personal Care & Beauty Products - Used
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Pet Waste
Even bags of poop in "compostable" bags belong in the trash.
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Photographs & Photo Paper
Photographic paper is not recyclable.
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Pillows - Poor Condition
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Plant Pots - Broken Ceramic/Terra Cotta
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Plant Pots - Ceramic
Broken, damaged condition. Some folks use these pieces at the bottom of other plant pots to increase drainage.
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Plastic Bags
Dirty, wet plastic bags belongs in the trash. If collected as bag-of-bags for grocery store drop-off, must be clean and dry. Loose bags jam recycling equipment.
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Plastic Bubble Envelopes
Loose plastic jams recycling equipment. Accepted clean and dry in bag-of-bags grocery store drop-off.
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Plastic Corrugated Signs
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Plastic Film & Wrap
Dirty, wet plastic film belongs in the trash. If collected as bag-of-bags to drop at grocery stores, must be clean and dry. Loose film jams recycling equipment.
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Plastic Packaging - Blisterpak
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Plastic Shower Curtain Liners
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Plastic Strapping
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Plastic Straws
Single-use, disposable straws or damaged silicone straws.
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Plastic Tarps
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Plate Glass
Place broken glass in paper bag or box and label "broken glass."
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Plexiglass
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Polyester Batting/Filling
Cotton filling may go into the compost. Consider reuse of both materials if in good condition (e.g. pet bed).
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Pool Cover - Non-working
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Purses & Backpacks - Non-working
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PVC
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Radios - Non-working
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Rags - Paint/Chemical/Oil Soiled
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Records
Broken, damaged condition.
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Reusable Bags
Poor, broken or soiled/wet condition woven or plastic bags. Donate clean, dry good condition bags.
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Rubber Bands
Consider collecting for reuse.
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Rubber Items
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Rugs & Mats - Non-working
Poor, damaged condition. Acceptable for Bulky pickup. 5 ft max length up to 12 in diameter.
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Sawdust - Composite Wood/Painted Wood
Any wood waste from wood with glues and adhesives belongs in the trash.
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Shoes - Poor Condition
Unusable condition by others.
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Single-use Personal Protective Equipment
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Small Household Appliances - Non-working
Consider going to iFixit to find repair instructions, bring it with you to a Repair Café or FixIt Clinic. May also be collected during a scheduled bulky waste pickup (50 lbs max).
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Sponges - Synthetic
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Sporting Goods - Non-working
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Stuffed Animals
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Styrofoam Blocks
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Styrofoam Sheets
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Tape
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Tennis Balls
Teachers often accept balls with no bounce to cut and place on the bottom of their chairs. Sports Basement collects them for reuse (including fetch).
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Tents and Outdoor Gear
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Tire/Rubber Scraps
Check with local tire stores for recycling.
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Tools & Accessories - Garden - Non-working
Scrap metal can be taken to Berkeley Recycling Center
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Tools & Accessories - Hand - Non-working
Scrap metal can be taken to Berkeley Recycling Center
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Tools & Accessories - Power - Non-working
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Toys & Games - Non-working
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Toys & Games - Plastic Parts Only
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Transparency Film Plastic
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Tyvek
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Vacuum Cleaner Bags & Filters
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Wigs
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Window Screens
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Window Treatments - Non-working
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Wood - Painted
Cut to fit in cart or bin such that lid closes.
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Wrapping Paper - Metallic