Guide for Reuse, Repair, Recycling, and Safe Disposal
for Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and the City of Palo Alto
SEARCH

El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center - El Cerrito - 7501 Schmidt Ln.

Welcome to RE:Source! Your online directory for reuse, repair and proper disposal options for the Bay Area. Although we do our best to stay up-to-date, information is constantly changing and we encourage you to call ahead to verify hours and availability.

El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center

7501 Schmidt Ln., El Cerrito, California 94530
(510) 215-4350
Hours:

M-F 8:30-4 , Sa 9-4:45, Closed Su and major holidays
Exchange Zone Hours: Drop-off: 1pm-Closing, Browsing: Open-12pm

This is a drop-off site only. Accepts most curbside recycling materials in large bins. The Exchange Zone is also home to a free, community book exchange, kids toys, music, and art. The Onsite Donation Trailer accepts accepts a variety of reusable and gently-used materials. Inside the Exchange Zone: Yes - books & magazines, dishware, kitchenware, picture frames, table lamps, tabletop decor, Toys (plastic, wood, metal), board games, puzzles, small sporting equipment (ex. balls, mitts, paddles, rackets, dumbbells, small musical instruments, sewing & knitting supplies ; No - furniture, luggage, pet supplies, tools & hardware, household electronics, garden tools/supplies, stuffed animals, auto supplies, floor lamps, TVs, weapons (real or fake), explosives or ammunition, car seats, cribs or baby carriers.

Item Notes Method Destination
Aluminum Foil & Pans - Clean Scrap Aluminum bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Arts and Crafts Supplies & Materials Sewing and knitting supplies. Picture frames. Exchange Zone. Neat & tidy for Onsite Donation Trailer
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Audio & Visual Equipment - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Audio & Visual Equipment - Working Onsite Donation Trailer - Stereos, Speakers, Turntables. Label working with masking/blue tape.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Bath Tub Scrap Metal bin area if metal. NO porcelain or fiberglass.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Batteries - Automotive or Boat Batteries area - Car Lead Acid Batteries cubby.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Batteries - Household - Rechargeable (up to 5 lbs) Batteries area.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Batteries - Household - Single-Use Batteries area.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Bicycle - Scrap & Parts Bicycles and bicycle parts bin for donations / exchange.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Bicycle - Working Bicycles and bicycle parts bin for donations / exchange.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Bimetal Cans (Food & Beverage) - Non-CRV Scrap Metal bins.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Books - Hard Cover Good condition: Exchange Zone. Torn/tattered: Mixed Paper bin or DiscoverBooks Bin. Must be clean and dry. Fees apply for quantities of 1/4 cubic yard or more.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Books - Soft Cover Good condition: Exchange Zone. Torn/tattered: Mixed Paper bin or Discover Books Bin. Must be clean and dry. Fees apply for quantities of 1/4 cubic yard or more.
  • Drop-off for a Fee
  • Reuse
Cables & Wires - Non-working Label working with blue/masking tape. Put in Donation Trailer or Exchange Zone. If non-working, put in Electronics Bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Cameras & Camcorders - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Cameras & Camcorders - Working Onsite Donation Trailer. Label working with masking/blue tape.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Cardboard Flattened cardboard boxes ONLY, no peanuts (some shipping stores accept these for reuse.) Must be clean and dry.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
CD/DVD - Commercially Made - Working Onsite Donation Trailer. Commercially-produced CDs + DVDs in original packaging. NO Home-recorded or broken items.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Cell Phones - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Cell Phones - Working Electronics bin. Label working with masking/blue tape.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Christmas Lights - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Christmas Lights - Working Donation trailer. Electronics bin. Label working with masking/blue tape.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Clothes Hangers - Broken Steel bin for metal hangers.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Clothes Hangers - Metal - Working Large metal bin in Exchange Zone or scrap metal bin for recycling.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Clothes Hangers - Working Large metal bin in Exchange Zone.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Clothing - Children's Onsite Donation Trailer or USAgain Bins (torn or stained ok). Must be clean, dry, and bagged. Dresses, Skirts, Formalwear, Blouses, Shirts, Pants, Jackets, Purses, Bags, Hats, Belts. Linens, Towels, Curtains, Shoes also ok.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Clothing - Good Condition Onsite Donation Trailer or USAgain Bins (torn or stained ok). Must be clean, dry, and bagged. Dresses, Skirts, Formalwear, Blouses, Shirts, Pants, Jackets, Purses, Bags, Hats, Belts. Linens, Towels, Curtains, Shoes also ok.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Clothing - Poor Condition Clean clothing, scrap shoes and all textiles can be bagged and placed in the USAgain green and white bins. Including: torn and/or stained condition pillows, towels, sheets, and machine washable rugs.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Collectibles Exchange Zone.. Household Items such as: Small Sculptures, Paintings. NO broken or soiled items.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Computer Accessories - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Computer Accessories - Working Label working with blue/masking tape. Put in Donation Trailer
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Computer Monitors - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Computer Monitors - Working Label working with blue/masking tape. Put in Donation Trailer
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Computers - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Computers - Working Label working with blue/masking tape. Put in Donation Trailer or Exchange Zone.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Cooking Oil/Grease/Fats Residential cooking oil and grease only – no other wastes. Pour cooking oil in the receptacle and recycle your container.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
CRV - Aluminum Beverage Containers Aluminum Cans bin. NO buyback. Find a CRV Redemption Center https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/RecyclingCenters/
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
CRV - Bimetal Beverage Containers Scrap Metal bins. Rinsed clean and dry. NO buyback. Find a CRV Redemption Center https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/RecyclingCenters/
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
CRV - Glass Beverage Containers Glass bins (Clear, Brown, Green). Rinsed clean & sorted by color. NO buyback. Find a CRV Redemption Center https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/RecyclingCenters/
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
CRV - Plastic Beverage Containers Plastic Beverage Containers bin. Items should be clean and dry. NO buyback. Find a CRV Redemption Center https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/BevContainer/RecyclingCenters/
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Doors ONLY if Metal - put in Steel or Aluminum bins for Scrap Metal.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Electronics - Non-working AC Adaptors, Audio & Video Equip't, Cable & Cable boxes, CD/DVD Players, Tel & Cell Phones, Computers & Monitors, Ext. cords, greenboards, string lights, laptops, tablets, modems, pda's, power strips & supply, TVs (no DLP), VHS players, Wiring & zip drives.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Electronics - Working Onsite Donation Trailer accepts Small Electronics such as: Radios, Tablets, Laptops, DVD Players, VCRs, Newer Model Flat-Screen TVs. NO Desktop Computers, Printers, Non-Working Electronics of Any Kind. However, many of these items can be recycled elsewhere within the Recycling Center in the Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Exercise Equipment - Working If small, offer to Onsite Donation Trailer. If large, put in front of Scrap Metal bin. Label working with masking/blue tape.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Eyeglasses Lions Club donations - bring into Recycling Office.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Ferrous Scrap Metal/Steel Scrap Metal bin
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Food for Donation Non-perishable, unopened donations for the Contra Costa Food Bank, within a year of listed date accepted. No glass containers.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Furniture - Small - Working Onsite Donation Trailer. Small durable furniture in good (salable) condition. No entertainment centers, fiberboard furniture or office furniture (desks, credenzas, conference tables, large desks). No beds, sofa beds, futons, or headboards. No baby furniture.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Furniture - Working Onsite Donation Trailer. Small durable furniture in good (salable) condition. No entertainment centers, fiberboard furniture or office furniture (desks, credenzas, conference tables, large desks). No beds, sofa beds, futons, or headboards. No baby furniture.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Game Cartridges -Working Working - Onsite Donation Trailer. Broken - Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Gaming Systems & Accessories - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Gaming Systems & Accessories - Working Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Glass Bottles & Jars (Food & Beverage) - Non-CRV Glass bins (Clear, Brown, Green). Rinsed clean & sorted by color.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Glassware - Decorative & Kitchen - Working Exchange zone or Donation Trailer. Dishes, Glasses, Tableware, Vases, Mirrors (framed + unbroken only). NO broken or soiled items.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Houseware - Working Exchange Zone or Donation Trailer. Kitchen Goods, House Wares such as: Pots + Pans, Plates + Bowls, Silverware, picture frames. Items must be clean and in good, working condition.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Ink Cartridges Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Jewelry Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Keys Scrap Metal bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Light Bulbs - CFLs We accept CFLs from residents within the Recyclemore service area. Proof of residency required.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Safe Disposal
Light Bulbs - Fluorescent Tubes We accept Fluorescent Tubes from residents within the Recyclemore service area. Proof of residency required. Fees apply for large quantities: 30 feet or more of tubes or 15 or more bulbs. Fees are subject to increase each fiscal year. Please see office staff to pay fees or to ask questions. 
  • Free Drop-off
  • Safe Disposal
Light Bulbs - LED See staff for assistance.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Safe Disposal
Linens/Blankets/Towels - Good Condition Onsite Donation Trailer, or USAgain Bins (torn or stained ok.) Curtains, Clothing, Shoes also ok. All items must be clean and dry.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Linens/Blankets/Towels - Poor Condition Clean clothing, scrap shoes and all textiles can be bagged and placed in the USAgain green and white bins. Including: torn and/or stained condition pillows, towels, sheets, and machine washable rugs.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Magazines Good condition - Exchange Zone. Tattered/worn - Mixed Paper bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Medications Fees for non-residents.remove excess packaging; empty pills into Ziploc-type bag for disposal; mix pills together. Liquids, creams, inhalers do not need to be bagged. Check online for more information on how to use the disposal bin and a list of EBMUD and BayWise disposal sites. Recyclemore.com has additional drop-off locations. Bin always locked; seek staff for assistance (office and/or yard). ,No fees for residents. Remove excess packaging; empty pills into Ziploc-type bag for disposal; mix pills together. Liquids, creams, inhalers do not need to be bagged. Check online for more information on how to use the disposal bin and a list of EBMUD and BayWise disposal sites. Recyclemore.com has additional drop-off locations. Bin always locked; seek staff for assistance (office and/or yard).
  • Free Drop-off
  • Drop-off for a Fee
  • Safe Disposal
Metal Cans Scrap Metal bin. Items should be rinsed clean and dry.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Metal Pipe Scrap Metal bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Motor Oil Pour used oil into containers under Motor Oil sign. 5-gallons maximum per day.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Moving Boxes & Packing Materials Cardboard bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Musical Instruments & Gear - Working Exchange Zone. Small Musical Instruments such as: Guitars, Ukuleles, Bongos, Banjos, Maracas, Brass, Woodwinds. NO Pianos, Organs, Drum Sets, Very Large Items.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Needles & Syringes Must be in a thick plastic container with a screw top lid.; Bin always locked seek staff for assistance (office and/or yard). Only for RecycleMore residents.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Safe Disposal
Newspaper Newspaper bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Non-ferrous Scrap Metal Scrap Metal bin
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Oil Filters Metal only, no paper filters
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Paper Mixed Paper bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Paper - Shredded Mixed paper bin (in paper bag, stapled)
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Paper Bags Mixed Paper bin
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Paperboard Boxes/Tubes Mixed Paper bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Phonebooks Mixed Paper Bin
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Plant Pots - Ceramic If clean and unbroken, Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Plant Pots - Plastic Planters bin. Must be clean and dry.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Plastic Bottles & Jugs - Non-CRV Plastic Beverage Containers bin - narrow neck. Items should be clean and dry.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Pots & Pans - Working Good condition - Onsite Donation Trailer. Broken - Scrap Metal bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Printers/Faxes - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Printers/Faxes - Working Electronics bin. Label working with masking/blue tape.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Records Exchange Zone.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
School/Office Supplies - Working Exchange Zone or Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Scrap Metal Scrap metal bin
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Sewing Machine - Working Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Shoes - Good Condition Onsite Donation Trailer, or USAgain Bins (torn or stained ok.) Clothing and Linens also ok. All items must be clean and dry.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Small Household Appliances - Non-working If predominantly metal, place in or next to Scrap Metal bins. NO refrigerated appliances. NO predominantly plastic appliances.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Small Household Appliances - Working Onsite Donation Trailer accepts items such as: Irons, Toasters, Microwaves, Blenders, Vacuum Cleaners. NO Large Appliances or broken items. However, many of these items can be recycled elsewhere within the El Cerrito Recycling Center in or next to the Steel bin. NO REFRIGERATED APPLIANCES. Label working with masking/blue tape.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Sporting Goods - Working Bicycles + Bicycle Parts - Bicycle bin (salvaging ok from this bin.) Large Sporting Goods - Onsite Donation Trailer. Small sporting goods in the Exchange Zone. Examples include: Balls, Racquets, Golf Clubs, etc. NO Weights, Exercise Equipment or broken items. However, many of these items can be recycled elsewhere within the El Cerrito Recycling Center in the Steel bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Styrofoam Blocks From El Cerrito residents only, on Thursdays. The Recycling Center accepts clean white block Styrofoam. Proof of residency is required. Drive behind the facility just like for the HHW drop-off for the forklift operators to assist you
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Telephones Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Television - Non-working Electronics bin area. No DLP TVs.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Television - Working Onsite Donation Trailer accepts newer flat-screen TVs in good condition. Older or bulky Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) models or broken items are accepted in the Electronics bin area. NO DLP TVs.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Textiles - Good Condition/Size Neatly folded & clear plastic-bagged craft fabrics and notions in the Exchange Room. USAgain Bins (clean, worn, stained, and/or ripped/torn ok for recycling). All items must be clean, dry, and bagged.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Toner Cartridges Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Tools & Accessories - Garden - Working Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Tools & Accessories - Hand - Working If working - Onsite Donation Trailer. If broken and primarily metal, Scrap Metal bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Tools & Accessories - Power - Working If working - Onsite Donation Trailer. If broken and primarily metal, Scrap Metal bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Toys & Games - With Electronics If in working, whole and clean condition - Exchange Zone, or Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Toys & Games - Working If in working, whole and clean condition - Exchange Zone, or Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Typewriters - Non-working Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Typewriters - Working Onsite Donation Trailer.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
VCRs/CD/DVD Players - Non-working Electronics bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
VCRs/CD/DVD Players - Working Onsite Donation Trailer. Label working with masking/blue tape.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Window Treatments - Non-working Metal blinds in scrap metal bin.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Recycle
Window Treatments - Working In good condition - Onsite Donation Trailer. Broken - Scrap Metal bin if metal, USAgain bin if fabric/cloth.
  • Free Drop-off
  • Reuse
Submit Correction

RE:Source is an online directory for reuse, repair and proper disposal options for the California East Bay area and Palo Alto. Our goal is to connect you with the best options for what you need to get rid of or repair. Please note that we do not accept any items directly.

If you have questions or feedback about this directory, please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.

Additional Tools

  • Item Search
  • Vendor Search
  • Information for Vendors

Grab the mobile apps for answers on the go:

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Brought to you by A public agency reducing waste in Alameda County since 1976.