Item Index

Empty aerosol cans (ex. paint, hairspray, cooking spray) may be safely placed in the recycling bin separate from plastic lid.

Not empty yet? Use it up, find someone else who can use it, or if toxic, like paint or chemicals, bring it to a hazardous waste facility.

Offer good condition drip irrigation parts & film for reuse. Farm quantity drip tubing and film plastic may have recycling options. Place broken or sun damaged materials in the trash.

For ag plastic chemical containers (HDPE jugs & drums), follow Agricultural Container Recycling Council's triple-rinse rules and contact the regional contractor for pick up schedules in your area.

Consider donation of working models.

Empty and drip-free.

California Refund Value (CRV) is the amount paid by consumers at the checkout stand and paid back to consumers when they recycle eligible aluminum, plastic, glass and bi-metal beverage containers at certified recycling centers. Most beverages packaged in aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal containers are eligible for CRV. Notable exceptions are milk, wine and distilled spirits, which are not included in the CRV program. The minimum refund value established for each type of eligible beverage container is 5 cents for each container under 24 ounces and 10 cents for each container 24 ounces or greater. Click here to find a bottle & can redemption center near you.

Call your local police or sheriff's department for turn-in instructions.

Consider grouping and accumulating like items and then offer to child care or art providers you know or on public forums like FreeCycle, FaceBook Buy Nothing Group, Craigslist, NextDoor, or such.

Empty and drip free. Straws and wrapper in the trash.

Consider donation or post online for reuse.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Mylar balloons may be refilled/reused. Consider sharing bouquets of balloons with the community when you are done with them to be used for an additional celebration. Protect local animals from accidental ingestion by insuring they don't fly away and pick up pieces of water balloons after enjoyment.

Local auto parts and marine supply stores accept these for recycling collection.

Contact commercial hazardous waste companies for very large industrial batteries.

Empty and drip-free.

Consider offering high quality older bikes to community bicycle repair and redistribution organizations.

Drop-off electric bicycle batteries for recycling at Call2Recycle e-bike collection sites- which are often bike shops.

Empty and drip-free.

California Refund Value (CRV) is the amount paid by consumers at the checkout stand and paid back to consumers when they recycle eligible aluminum, plastic, glass and bi-metal beverage containers at certified recycling centers. Most beverages packaged in aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal containers are eligible for CRV. Notable exceptions are milk, wine and distilled spirits, which are not included in the CRV program. The minimum refund value established for each type of eligible beverage container is 5 cents for each container under 24 ounces and 10 cents for each container 24 ounces or greater. Click here to find a bottle & can redemption center near you.

Consider creative reuse and offering to local art or childcare providers through FreeCycle, NextDoor, etc. with any personal information removed.

Donate to keep books in circulation. Find a Little Library location near you to add or borrow books.

Recycle damaged, torn, out of dates book, completely highlighted/written in, and the removed hard covers. Small amounts of hard cover books should be placed in a recycling bin at a time (<20). The binding on hard cover books is a major issue for hard cover book recycling as it is very challenging for the recycling machinery to process.

Consider posting these locally for reuse.

Envelopes or sleeves made of bubble sheet that is all plastic is accepted for recycling at BagandFilmRecycling.org locations. For bubble envelopmes made of mylar or paper-lined plastic, not recyclable curbside. Reuse is best.

Consider reuse before recycling with clean, dry film in front of grocery store collection bins.

Consider reuse or posting for reuse on FreeCycle, Craigslist, or such. Compost hubs may be interested in high volume donations.

Do not put loose in recycling as these break recycling machines. Gather for ewaste recycling.

Consider donation or post online for reuse.

Dried out from rain or such, may be recycled. Food-soiled cardboard belongs in Organics/Compost.

Check this list for facilities that collect carpet or carpet pad.  See CalRecycle's resources on best practices for carpet removal (from Kings Co., WA), how to prepare and load a trailer of waste carpet, as well as CARE's interactive map of national certified carpet collectors and processors.

Few thrift organizations accept these materials unless they are in new-like condition. Consider posting to FreeCycle, Craigslist, NextDoor, or such for reuse.

Few thrift organizations accept these materials unless they are in new-like condition. Consider posting to FreeCycle, Craigslist, NextDoor, or such for reuse. There are very limited recycling options for this material. Consider reuse before disposal.

There are very limited recycling options for this material. Consider reuse before disposal.

Consider repair and reuse options before recycling as electronic waste.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal.

Materials that should not be mixed into curbside recycling: drinking or wine glasses and plates, ceramics, Pyrex or other heat resistant glass, light bulbs, computer monitors, phone screens, plate glass: windows, sliding doors (can be recycled separately), safety glass, car windshields, art glass and leaded crystal, mirrors

Once stripped of covers, strapping and styrofoam, the plastic base may be recyclable. Consider posting recent, good condition car seat covers as spares with brand/model information.

Target Annual Car Seat Trade-in (2022 Sept/2021 April)

Collect for electronic waste recycling.

Cut, live Christmas trees must be stripped of all decorations, lights, stand, tinsel, and un-bagged to be mulched and composted. Flocked trees are covered in chemicals and are not accepted for composting and must be landfilled. Check with your curbside service provider for details and dates for pick-up for residents and businesses.

Reuse or donate good condition holiday and seasonal items, artificial christmas trees, string lights (working/non-working), gift wrap (paper gift wrap, metallic gift wrap) and tissue paper. 

Cigarettes and Cigarette Filters was the number one item found by count in Coastal Cleanup Days from 1988-2017. Most marine debris starts as urban litter.

Consider repair to reuse or donate. For DIY, see iFixit.

Reuse is best! Share locally on FreeCycle, Craigslist, NextDoor, etc. Click here to learn more about clothing repair, stain removal for clothing and linens (DIY & non-toxic cleaners), and donation/recycling programs.

Return good condition hangers to a local dry cleaners/alterations business for reuse.

Reuse is best! Share locally on listservs, with local families, neighborhood schools, or on FreeCycle, Craigslist, NextDoor, etc., or local charity organizations to reduce your climate impact. 

Stain removal & repairs keep clothing in use.Click here to learn more about clothing repair, stain removal for clothing and linens, and donation/recycling programs.

Reuse is best! Share locally on listservs, with friends, family, neighbors, local groups, or on FreeCycle, Craigslist, NextDoor, etc., or other local charity organizations to reduce your climate impact. 

Click here to learn more about clothing repair, stain removal for clothing and linens, and donation/recycling programs.

Reuse is best! Share locally on listservs, with local families, neighborhood schools, or on FreeCycle, Craigslist, NextDoor, etc., or local charity organizations to reduce your climate impact. 

Click here to learn more about clothing repair, stain removal for clothing and linens, and donation/recycling programs.

Consider reusable coffee pods to fill with your favorite local roast.

Compost the used coffee grounds, and note the packaging placed in a curbside composting program may be screened out as a contaminate if it does not break down in the municipal composting process over a few months.

Consider repair, reuse, resale, and donation for these special items on local and national online platforms.

Damaged or empty propane tanks and cylinders are hazardous waste and should never be put in the garbage or recycling as they could become punctured during the collection process and cause a fire or injury. 

Empty, good condition tanks can be exchanged or refilled where you got it (e.g. 1lb or 5-20lb propane cylinders, SodaStream gas cylinders) or have the supplier come pick it up. Look for a label to contact and return an unwanted cylinder to. Old, rusty or unknown cylinders may be taken to a scrap metal company once they have been completely emptied with the valves safely removed. Companies that specialize in gas cylinders may offer this service.

Consider refurbishing or repair before recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Consider refurbishing or repair before recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Consider refurbishing or repair before recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Refuse these items when you do not need them. Take them with you on road trips and camping, or use them up. Consider sharing large quantities for reuse by the community. Compost solids, or pour liquids down the drain before disposing of packaging.

Say no thank you to unwanted sauces, utensils, & straws. Did you know California has a new law that requires all retail food facilities and food delivery platforms to provide single-use foodware accessories (ex. forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, condiments, straws & stirrers) upon request only? Find our more here. 

Cooking oil and grease poured down drains can build up in pipes causing backups at home, into streets and the storm drain system. Wipe pots, pans and cookware “clean” with a disposable towel prior to washing and place in green bin. Save used cooking oil in a resealable container and bring it to a cooking oil and grease drop-off location. Commercial kitchens should contact a grease hauler for service.

Consider donation.

Consider reuse or repair before recycling. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Consider donation of new and partially-used packages of diapers and new wipes to local families and community organizations. Posting on NextDoor, Craigslist, FreeCycle, etc.

Consider reuse or donation to a building supply store or post online for DIY.

Many clothing and linen fabrics are now composed of synthetic fibers that must be disposed of in the trash. Lint from 100% cotton or other confirmed natural fibers can be composted.

Designate a box to accumulate old or unwanted electronics over time for donation to local community members or organizations.

Consider repair before disposal with service providers who fix on-site or contact the manufacturer for repair/refurbishing (ex. JURA, Cuisinart).

Consider donation or post online for reuse.

If used for chemicals place in the trash.

Consider extending the life of your fire extinguisher through refurbishing, repair, and/or recharging with a company specializing in servicing fire extinguishers. Information on fire extinguishers, California code for busineses, on boats. 

After using an extinguisher, it must be recharged.

Residents should contact their Household Hazardous Waste Facility about marine flares (hand-held, aeriel, and smoke) & signal kit (explosives) collection events for recreational boaters. For military type, damaged, decayed, very old, or very large items contact the staff at your HHW Facility directly before bringing it in.

Alameda County Boaters! Did you know that flares are explosives and are hazardous if stored or disposed of improperly? Get rid of you expired flares for free at this one-day collection event on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022 . Make an appointment for easy drop-off:  www.StopWaste.org/marineflares or call 800-606-6606. Open to recreational boaters residing in or berthing a boat in Alameda County. Flares from a commercial boat or organization not accepted.

Consider donation or post online for reuse.

Did you know that reducing food waste is one of the leading solutions to climate change? Go to StopFoodWaste.org for Food Saving Tips and Tricks. 

As of January 1, 2022, a new California law states businesses who currently throw away edible food must now recover and donate it. Click here for rules, resources, and lists in Alameda County, and here for Contra Costa County.

Consider using reusables instead of single-use items.

Find PFAS-free compostable food ware products: BPI-certified list ; CMA-Approved list; and CEH’s foodware database.

Learn about BPI Certification here. The Center for Environmental Health's Green Screen Certified FoodWare database which was developed by CEH and Clean Production Action (also a national environmental non-profit organization), to avoid regrettable substitutes and address concerns with toxic chemicals in the entire product. The most basic level (silver) ensures that products do not contain PFAS, other chemicals of high concern or known regrettable substitutes. If you want to know more details about it, you can either refer directly to the standard or watch a recording of the webinar.

Consider replacing disposables with reusables.

Consider washing for reuse for picnics, parties, kid-friendly events, STEAM projects, and plant starts (cups).

Bringing your own and using eatery reusables for dining in-house, take-out, to-go, and leftovers is safe. Click here for Alameda County information on Reusable Food Ware. Reuse beats single-use on GHG emissions, water consumption, resource extraction, waste generation, litter generation, and plastic pollution (-UpstreamSolutions.org)

See Plastic Free Futures retail & eatery locations that encourage BYO reusable cup or container, shop bulk bins & refill, reusables for on-site dining, and take-out service partnerships.

Bring your own cup or mug. Plastic lids and straws are not recyclable.

Consider repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Not so broken? See our Furniture Repair fact sheet for tips on wood, leather, and fabric repair, reupholstery, and stain removal, or Textiles Repair fact sheet for fixing zippers and tears or offer it up for other to fix up or use creatively.

Even our favorite furniture pieces may need some TLC. See our Furniture Repair fact sheet for tips on wood, leather, and fabric repair, reupholstery, and stain removal, or Textiles Repair fact sheet for fixing zippers and tears.

Consider reuse through donation or resale.

Consider reuse through donation or resale.

Consider reusable, refillable ice packs. Do not empty gel packs down the drain or toilet. Reuse as possible before disposal.

Must be empty and drip-free before recycling.

Materials that should not be mixed into curbside recycling: drinking or wine glasses and plates, ceramics, Pyrex or other heat resistant glass, light bulbs, computer monitors, phone screens, plate glass: windows, sliding doors (can be recycled separately), safety glass, car windshields, art glass and leaded crystal, mirrors

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Materials that should not be mixed into curbside recycling: drinking or wine glasses and plates, ceramics, Pyrex or other heat resistant glass, light bulbs, computer monitors, phone screens, plate glass: windows, sliding doors (can be recycled separately), safety glass, car windshields, art glass and leaded crystal, mirrors

Consider reuse or donation of cards in good condition.

Consider organizing for reuse and creative reuse. Adding these to your curbside recycling bin loose, they most likely will end up with the crushed glass and may likely end up being landfilled. Donating to a place that will sort for reuse and resale is the highest and best use, besides doing this for your own use. Taking these to a scrap metal bin to place in directly will have the highest recycling possibility.

Use up contents as possible before dropping-off at an Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Old hoses will jam recycling machinery and are not accepted in curbside recycling.

Consider donating unused or little-used items in good condition to those transitioning into new housing or women's and family shelters.

Consider donation or resale for items in good condition.

Clean, like-new bagged insulation may be donated to a building reuse center or offered online for reuse.

Consider donation or resale.

Junk mail is unwanted advertisements, catalogues, and other paper documents received through the mail.

Click on each company and read the notes associated with it. Contact each relevant company and follow the steps they provide to opt-out of the mail services they provide. Start saving address labels (or taking photos) to ensure you opt-out of each iteration of your mailing address name and spelling.

Consider donation, reuse, or offering online items in working condition.

Consdider donation and repair before disposal.

Clean, good/new condition materials may be accepted by school, college, or university science labs.

Contact TerraCycle about their lab materials recycling programs.

Consider reuse or donation.

Consider resale or donation for reuse.

EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule requires common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition, which can create hazardous lead dust, are conducted properly by trained and certified contractors or individuals. For more information, please visit the EPA. 

 Here are resources for lead painted items in Alameda County Healthy Homes Program.

Do not throw fluorescent or other mercury-containing lights in the trash or recycling bins. High intensity discharge, metal halide, sodium and neon lights all contain mercury as well. It’s illegal and mercury exposure can harm the brain, heart, and immune and nervous systems. Mercury products contaminate California’s drinking water, fish, soil, and air when they are not managed properly. The mercury limit in drinking water is 2 parts per billion in California, since even low quantities are extremely hazardous.

The following lamps are considered hazardous in California: fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, HID lamps, High intensity discharge lamps, metal halide lamps, sodium vapor lamps, grow lamps, Zenon lamps, headlights - auto, mercury vapor lamps, video projector lamps, ultraviolet lamps, UV lamps, water treatment lamps, sun lamps, tanning lamps, mercury containing lamps, LED lamps. The following ballasts are considered hazardous in California: light fixture ballasts, lamp ballasts, electronic ballasts, fluorescent light ballasts, HID light ballasts, PCB containing ballasts, no-PCB ballasts.

Be sure to transport in a way that prevents breakage. If a light breaks, refer to epa.gov/cfl. If a bulb breaks, open a window to disperse mercury vapor, collect the shards with tape, and place in a closed and sealed container—do not vacuum!

How are lights recycled? Lights must be recycled at EPA-approved sites. Glass is recycled or landfilled, recovered metal is recycled, and mercury is stored, disposed, or reused.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Consider repair, stain removal and reuse before donation to an organization that has reuse and/or rag and textile shredding capactity.

Click here to learn more about clothing repair, stain removal for clothing and linens, donation/recycling programs, and customizing & cleaning furniture.

Swap plants, seeds, cuttings, grafts, and accessories with neighbors, friends, family, and community members to spread joy and keep them out of the landfill. Post online or set up a free plant stand or swap.

Visit the Lawn to Garden Marketplace for a complete directory of Bay Area sources for bulk recycled compost, mulch, and sheet mulch materials and visit the FAQ section for tips for buying bulk compost.

Use StopWaste's Gardening at Home resources to make worm or home compost for your house or garden plants.

Are you looking to start a veggie garden or plant some herbs on your windowsill? Check out these seed libraries where new and experienced gardeners alike can find a variety of common and heirloom seeds! This is a great way to keep resources local and help develop seed varieties that are adapted to local micro-climates. Alameda County Seed Libraries and Catalogs

Consider donation for reuse.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Consider reuse or donation before disposal.

Consider posting online for repair, donation or resale.

Donate or offer up your mattress for reuse to your community before recycling. Did you know that recycling one mattress can save 500 gallons of water?  New mattress being delivered? California law requires retailers to offer to take back your old one at no cost.

Clean and dry pillows, mattress toppers, bed frames and bedlinens to be donated separately.

Organizations are most able to accept reusable working equipment in good condition that can be cleaned and new/unused single-use materials in packaging.

Prepare your drugs for disposal before arriving at a Medication Takeback kiosk site.  Accepted items include all prescription drugs in any dosage form (e.g. pills, liquids, creams, aerosols). Protect your privacy by removing or obscuring any labels showing your personal information on drug containers or vials. You can pour all your pills into a Zip-lock bag no larger than 1 gallon in size, and recycle the vials and other containers in your home recycling. Liquids and creams should remain in their original containers and tightly closed to prevent leakage. Aerosols should have their protective caps affixed to prevent accidental discharge. Remove inhaler vials from the inhaler mechanism. Kiosks are located near the pharmacy area, or for hospitals and police departments, in the lobby.

Pre-filled syringes and auto-injectors with an integral or attached needle is considered a "sharp." 

Old vitamins and supplements may be composted along with the cotton & the packaging recycled (ex. clean, dry plastic bottle) or put in the garbage (ex. blister packs) as they are not considered medications/hazardous. Silica gel packs can be reused (e.g. edible dry goods) or landfilled.

At the kiosk: Take care at the kiosk not to introduce too many materials into the kiosk drop-chute at one time. Check the kiosk chute after closing to ensure the drugs dropped into the kiosk. Federal law prevents anyone from reviewing or examining the drugs you wish to dispose, so place them in the kiosk yourself – do not accept any unsolicited assistance to do so.

If there are problems with the information or services provided by MedProject.org, please contact safedrugdisposal@acgov.org.

Per CalRecycle, please do not put unmedicated lotions, cosmetics, fragrances, sunscreen agents, and similar products down the drain or into the toilet; the best "somewhere else" to throw these items is your household trash. Landfills are the best place at present to dispose of personal care products when they are no longer being used.

Mercury-containing items include thermostats, thermometers, barometers, and other types of medical and measuring equipment which contain liquid mercury (fluorescent tubes and bulbs, level and float type switches, and mercuric oxide household batteries).

For details about mercury-containing items, click here.

Cans must be empty and drip-free before recycling.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Consider donation or resale.

Contact your contractor for proper C&D recycling and disposal services if you are doing home remodeling, construction, or demolition projects.

Businesses in Alameda County: Use the Bin Liner by City Tool to determine what kind of indoor bin liner your trash, organics, or recycling bin can have.

Post online for reuse.

Consider donation or posting online for reuse.

Consider exchanging nail polish with friends to use it up. Bottles with any remaining liquid nail polish or nail polish remover inside cannot go into the trash. Nail polish remover, acetone, is also accepted at the Haz Waste facilities.

Donate or post online good condition items.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Put your filter in a plastic bag or sealed container. Pour your used oil into a reusable container with a tight-fitting lid. Well-drained motor oil containers can go in the recycling cart.

Find the label on the cannister and contact the medical supply company that the oxygen was rented from.

For commercial volumes, consider offering to businesses who could use the product for non-human consumption applications. Depackage and recycle empty, dry rigid plastics, glass, and metals.
For very large quantities where pH is an issue, contact your local sanitary district or water treatment facility (ex. EBMUD has a winery waste program).

Store and save in a large garbage bag (clear is desirable). Post online for reuse - to use for moving or packing delicate items, along with any air pillows and bubble wrap. Packing and shipping stores that reuse these may or may not have space - consider contacting them before you go.

Use up wet, leftover paint as possible, offer it to community members, or drop it off to be recycled.

Empty, dried out paint cans and buckets may be accpeted for recycling.  Stirrers, pans and brushes with dried paint may go into the garbage. Chemical soaked rags are accepted by Household Hazardous Waste Facilities. Empty spray paint belongs in the recycing bin (cap off); use up or safely dispose of cans spray paint.

Consider contacting the manufacturer or distributor for take back or reuse. Post for reuse with dimensions, condition, brand, and age.

Post for reuse - so many repurposing projects on the internet - or find a recycler.

Store and save in a labeled paper bag in preparation for composting or recycling (hauler acceptance dependant). Staple or fold at top to prevent shreds from flying out when cart is lifted.

Consider reusing as trash bin liners/bags or collection bags for used batteries, bulbs, or e-waste.

Empty, dry cardboard, paperboard, food and beverage glass, aluminum, steel, and plastics #1 & #2s should be recycled when empty of product.

Contact brand for their take-bake or packaging recycling policy. Consider reuse of cleaned packaging before disposal. Plastic sprayers, pumps, and droppers may be cleaned & reused, but are generally considered contamination in the recycling bin. Empty tubes for lotion, lip and eye products, and such belong in the trash, along with sachets or packets made of multiple materials like plastic, paper &/or foil/metal.

Per CalRecycle, please do not put unmedicated lotions, cosmetics, fragrances, sunscreen agents, and similar products down the drain or into the toilet; the best "somewhere else" to throw these items is your household trash. Landfills are the best place at present to dispose of personal care products when they are no longer being used. Click here for medicated lotions, creams and shampoos, and here for nail polish. Old vitamins and supplements may be composted.

Use it up, offer it up for reuse if new/unopened, or put product in trash. Reuse the container, and check if your brand offers a take back for recycling program for the container/packaging. 

Never flush wipes, menstrual products, or dental floss - these clog pipes. Keep lotions, cosmetics, fragrances, sunscreen agents, and similar products out of the drain and toilet; the best "somewhere else" to throw these items is your household trash. Medicines, medicated lotions, creams and shampoos go to a Meds Drop-box (here); nail polish and acetone goes to a Household Hazardous Waste facility. Vitamins & supplements go in the organics bin.

Pet waste and litter from pets who eat meat (such as carnivores cats or omnivores dogs) belongs in the trash. Cat waste does not belong in the toilet as it causes toxoplasmosis in sea otters (drains to bay/ocean). Litter and waste from vegetarian pets (such as rodents and birds), may go into the green bin unless pets take medication.

Repaired and refurbished pianos, delivered locally, are more apt to find a new home.

Consider reuse, donation, and repair.

Materials that should not be mixed into curbside recycling: drinking or wine glasses and plates, ceramics, Pyrex or other heat resistant glass, light bulbs, computer monitors, phone screens, plate glass: windows, sliding doors (can be recycled separately), safety glass, car windshields, art glass and leaded crystal, mirrors

When shopping or dining out, bring your reusables, reuse plastic and paper bags, or refuse a bag and hand carry items when possible.

Donate neatly folded reusable plastic bag of bags to a local animal shelter or rescue group or food pantry, or stuff newspaper bags to dispensers at local dog parks. Businesses in Alameda County can use the Bin Liner by City Tool to determine what kind of indoor bin liner your trash, organics, or recycling bin can have. For information on Alameda County's Bag Law, click here, or on the California State Bag Law, click here.

Bottles and jugs must be empty and drip-free with lid reattached before recycling.

Consider reusing these signs for messaging that is important to you or your community, or repurpose for schoolyard art projects attached to fencing with zip ties. The wire stand can be recycled at scrap metal collection facilities. Putting the stand in a curbside recycling cart jams recycling machinery. If printing these signs, think about how they could be evergreen - reused over time. For example, a graduation lawn sign without the year to be reused by graduates annually.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. New in package liners will be accepted as houseware at thrifts. Do not place old plastic shower curtain liners in recycling bins as they will jam the equipment.

Consider reusing polyester stuffing for other projects, or offering up for others to use for their projects through online community groups, or Craigslist, FreeCycle, Buy Nothing, Next Door or such. Thrifts will accept new in package filling.

Consider donation or posting online for reuse.

Consider donation or posting online for reuse.

Reusables can last up to 10 years and can be refilled hundreds of times. Reusables save money because you only pay for the gas and filling service, not the container! Reusables reduce the impact on landfills and the environment.

Consider donation or posting online for reuse.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit or local Fixit clinics.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Dehumidifiers with refrigerants are treated like "refrigerators" when they need to be replaced, repaired, or recycled.

When shopping or dining out, bring your reusable bags, reuse plastic and paper bags, or refuse a bag. For information on Alameda County's Bag Law, click here, or on the California State Bag Law, click here.

Consider donation or posting online for reuse.

Separate the larger metal piece as scrap metal for curbside recycling and the plastic pieces go into the trash. The separated electronic waste (circuit board) is accepted at the HHW Facilities. Read Earth911's in-depth article for detailed information.

Sawdust and scraps from wood that is made with glues, like plywood or engineered lumber, belongs in the trash.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal, or DIY repair through iFixit or FixIt Clinics.

Poor condition looks different to different folks. Tie or rubber band pairs of shoes so they stay together and donate them for possible reuse or recycling.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Consider donation or posting online for reuse. Needs a little repair? Find DIY repair resources through iFixit or local Fixit Clinics.

As of 1/1/2021, some solar panels may be managed as Universal Waste in California per DTSC (see details).  The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC - choose Solar under Products) holds the most current links to policy, studies, and articles on Solar Panels recycling in California, the US, and globally.

Solar panel design makes disassembly and recovery of the various components — from glass to the various precious metals in them such as cadmium, gallium, germanium, indium, selenium and tellurium — a complicated process. Most wind up at shredders or landfills, because the case for selling the glass and aluminum in them doesn’t make economic sense. A project at Arizona State University hopes to create a solar recycling process that makes it simpler to recover materials such as silicon and silver from photovoltaic technology in a way that makes the economics pencil out.

Invest in panels that are durable, warrantied, non-hazardous, and recyclable. If there is a problem, contact your installer or service provider for repair options. If the panels need to be replaced but still operate, donate for reuse or contact a reseller (ex. Habitat for Humanity). Use new brackets to install reused PVs. If the panels have broken glass or are damaged, consider refurbishing or recycling, contact installer and service provider, then a possible hazardous waste facility or company.

The California Energy Commission maintains a list of PV modules available for purchase, by manufacturer, model number, and includes hazardous content.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal. DIY repair resources through iFixit.

Offer portions of or whole bales to local gardeners, schools, or farms.

Consider repair or reuse for good condition, clean stuffed animals. Use very loved stuffies as the filling in beanbags, pillows, and pet bed fill. Consider adding in a squeaker or empty plastic beverage bottle to reuse as a dog squeaky toy.

Consider reusable tea brewing systems. Tea "bags" made of paper or another natural material like cotton or silk, go in the compost bin, however "bags" made of plastic mesh should go in the trash after the tea leaves are put in the compost bin.
Individual tea bag packets or sachets: if from paper go in the compost; if from paper fused with plastic and/or foil/metal go into the trash.

Consider reuse or repair before ewaste recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Consider donation for repurposing for dog toys, the bottom of student chairs, and the bottom of walkers.

Textiles include bolts, large swaths, yardage of fabric, leather, or textiles for upholstery, quilting, clothing, sewing projects, that can be reused by an individual or business.

Consider reuse and donation for intact, unstained, and clean textiles. For poor condition textiles, choose repair, and stain removal (clothing/ linens/ furniture fabric/ shoes) before donating to an organization that has reuse and/or rag and textile shredding capactity. Scrap fabric? Consider tiny projects.

Commercial entity? See the California Textile Resource Map (CPSC): Factories, Recyclers, Reuse, Repair, & Upcycle, Collectors

Consider posting leftover boxes for reuse or donation to a building supply store.

Contact a local tire dealer about recycling. Use CalRecycle to search for a tire recycler.

Contact your Brand or manufacturer about take-back/recycling programs.

Consider loaning or donating tools to your community.

Excited to start a DIY project but need to borrow a saw? Do you need a pair of loppers to trim your fruit trees? Several cities have tool lending libraries where residents can rent a variety of tools for 1-3 weeks at a time while participating in a circular and sharing economy. Alameda County Tool Libraries

Consider loaning or donating tools to your community.

Excited to start a DIY project but need to borrow a saw? Do you need a pair of loppers to trim your fruit trees? Several cities have tool lending libraries where residents can rent a variety of tools for 1-3 weeks at a time while participating in a circular and sharing economy. Alameda County Tool Libraries

Consider loaning or donating tools to your community.

Excited to start a DIY project but need to borrow a sander or drill? Do you need a pair of loppers to trim your fruit trees? Several cities have tool lending libraries where residents can rent a variety of tools for 1-3 weeks at a time while participating in a circular and sharing economy. Alameda County Tool Libraries

Consider posting these as replacement parts for other families, reusing them for art projects, future pinatas or prizes for school fairs.

Consider reuse or repair before ewaste recycling or DIY repair through iFixit.

Consider posting for reuse before disposal.

Consider reuse or repair before recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Consider reuse or repair before recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Some vacuum bags may allow you to empty and reuse as possible. Lint may go in organics if mostly pet hair/dried food bits from hard flooring, or in the trash if carpets and/or walk off mats due to the plastic fibers.

Consider reuse or repair before recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Consider reuse or repair before ewaste recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Consider reuse or repair before ewaste recycling, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Consider repair, resale, or donation before recycling.

Consider reuse or repair before disposal, or DIY repair through iFixit.

Contact your water filter brand to determine if they have a take-back program for recycling.

Consider donation or resale before recycling.

Gift the gift of reuse by donating, reselling, or recrafting pieces that made your celebration meaningful.

Consider reuse or donation.

This is not accepted for composting.

Consider partnering with arborists and cities to transform specimen trees.

Pressure treated, preserved wood, or treated wood waste (including the sawdust), referred to as TWW, has preserving chemicals like arsenic. Common uses of TWW are fence posts, sill plates, landscape timbers, pilings, guardrails, decking, and railroad ties.

TWWDisposal.org has fact sheets and outreach materials on the appropriate handing, disposal, and other management of TWW for facilities that may receive or handle treated wood waste.

Painted, engineered, stained, laquered, plywood/composite, and wood painted with "copper green" wood may go in the garbage. 

Sheet mulching with cardboard, compost and mulch (chipped clean wood) can be done right on top of your lawn to save time, money, and water and build healthy soil. Go to www.lawntogarden.org to learn more and use the Marketplace tool to find supplies locally.

Metallic gift wrap cannot be recycled. Consider reuse, such as wadding for packaging or storing ornaments. Consider repurposing other items for wrapping, like maps, newspaper, blueprints, wallpaper samples, or fabric.

X-ray recycling services including the chemical removal and recycling of silver from imaging films which is mostly polyester.