What are the Trash and Recycling Rates in El Cerrito?

Q: Where I can I recycle (_______)?
A: Go to "http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cd/recycle/options/all.htm"> for a comprehensive list of recycling options in Contra Costa County.

Q: What type of plastics can I recycle at El Cerrito Recycling?
A: We accept all clean plastics. Please make sure they have been rinsed of chemical and food residue. Plastic beverage containers, hard plastics, food containers, wide mouth containers, plastic chemical bottles, plastic film and wrapping such as bread bags, grocery and department store bags, cling wrap and bubble wrap (popped, please) are all accepted.

Q: How can I dispose of my old computer or other electronics?
A: El Cerrito and West Contra Costa County residents can bring computers and electronics for free to the West County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at at 101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond. The Alameda County Computer Resource Center in Berkeley also accepts nearly all computers and electronics. Visit them at http://www.accrc.org or call (510) 528-4052 for fee information. For FREE disposal of your CRT monitor, see the Household Hazardous Waste information below.

Also, periodically throughout the year electronic waste collection events are held at the El Cerrito DMV. Check out the Announcements section of our Home page for any electronic waste collection events occurring in the near future.

Q: The driver emptied all of the other recycling carts on my street but didn't pick up mine. Why?
A: Please have grey carts out at curbside the night before or by 6am on your recycling/garbage day. Usually when our drivers leave recycling at the curb, it is because there was a problem with the way materials were set out for collection. Please check to see if the driver left a note attached to one of your bins. Common reasons why drivers don't pick up your recycling carts include: not placing your cart on the curb properly (wheels in), your cart was on the sidewalk or in pedestrian right-of-way, you didn't leave at least 1 foot between other carts and 3 feet from parked cars, trees, and telephone poles, your cart was overfilled, you did not breakdown cardboard in your cart or the cardboard was longer than 3 ft in length, your cart was full of scrap metal larger than a can, or our drivers found garbage or hazardous waste in your cart (styrofoam, batteries, CFL light bulbs.

Also, our drivers will not empty your cart if it is less than half full. On occasion, we miss a residence because we simply didn't see the bins. If you feel we have made an error in not picking up your recycling, please call us at (510) 215-4350 and we will come back and collect your materials by the end of the next business day.

Q: Where can I take my household hazardous waste?
A: All West Contra Costa County residents can dispose of paints, batteries, chemicals, poisons, cleaners, CRTs, pesticides, cooking oil, sharps & syringes, pharmaceuticals, CFLs, microwaves, and more at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond. Disposal is free of charge for West County residents. For more information, call 1-888-412-9277 or visit www.recyclemore.com.

Q: Where can I take wood or extra green waste that won't fit in my green waste bin?
A: The Recycling Center does not accept wood or any green waste. For wood disposal, call AJ Hauling at (510) 665-4329. They are located at 2225 Parker Street, Suite A in Berkeley. For disposal of wood and green waste, contact the Berkeley Transfer Station at (510) 981-7270 or the West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill at (510) 233-4330. Or Call East Bay Sanitary for a free annual garbage OR greenwaste pick up at (510) 237-4321.

Q: I've heard about an annual clean-up for my home. How can I participate?
A: Please call East Bay Sanitary at (510) 237-4321 and tell them you are interested in the annual clean-up. El Cerrito residents are allowed to dispose of up to 12, 30-gallon trash bags of either garbage or green waste once a year at no additional charge. See the next question for details.

Q: Is there a service that will pick up materials from my home for FREE?
A: Yes! East Bay Sanitary allows for ONE free annual cleanup of garbage OR greenwaste. Residents can have up to 1.5 cubic yards (about 360 gallons) picked up from their homes. Greenwaste must be contained in bundles, compostable paper bags, cans or cardboard boxes. Greenwaste cannot be contained in plastic bags. Anything in excess of 1.5 cubic yards will be charged at a rate of $9.00 per bag or $35.72 per cubic yard. Collection will only occur on your regular service day.

To request your free pickup simply call (510) 237-4321 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

All loose material must be bagged, boxed or bundled. Maximum length of any object is (4) feet. Maximum weight of any object is (50) pounds. One man must be able to handle each item. All containers must be disposable, except in the case of greenwaste garbage cans, which will not be dumped and left as is. Everything placed at the curb will be taken.

The following items will NOT be picked up: rock, dirt, concrete, household garbage, large appliances, water heaters, ashes, iron objects, furniture, mattresses, grass with dirt or roots, automobile tires or hazardous waste.

Q: I am elderly/disabled and cannot safely move my recycling cart, how can I get help?
A: Contact us to request yard service for elderly or disabled residents. Our drivers will move your recycling cart to and from your home. Please be prepared to provide proof of age/disability.

Q: I have lots of packing peanuts from a package I received in the mail. What do I do with them?
A: Packing peanuts are almost always accepted for reuse at a shipping store in your area, such as the UPS store. The peanuts must be clean and bagged. For drop-off location information, call the Plastic Loose Fill Council's Peanut Hotline at (800) 828-2214.

Q: Can I recycle the blocks of white Styrofoam?
A: Styrofoam is currently not recyclable, BUT the El Cerrito Recycling Center is accepting clean white block styrofoam at the Recycling Center office behind the Book Exchange as a pilot program, so we can hopefully make recycling styrofoam viable in the future. Please no dirty styrofoam, styrofoam cups, food containers, or peanuts.

Q: Where can I take used tires?
A: The Berkeley Transfer Station at 1201 Second Street in Berkeley at (510) 981-7270 or Firestone Tires at 1974 University Avenue in Berkeley at (510) 843-5454 accept used tires. Call ahead for fees.

Q: Where can I take reusable carpeting?
A: Contact East Bay Habitat for Humanity at (510) 251-6304 or the Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale at (510) 536-6800.

Q: I have some old windows and broken drinking glasses. Do you accept that at the Center?
A: The Recycling Center only accepts glass bottles and jars. We do not accept flat glass, window glass, mirrors, ceramics, cookware, or lab glass. Because all glass melts at different temperatures, any glass other than bottles and jars is considered a contaminant by our glass recycler. For flat glass recycling information, please contact Recycled Glassworks in San Francisco at (415) 641-5610 or www.recycledglassworks.com

Q: I have some old appliances to recycle, where can I take them?
A: The Recycling Center accepts some appliances free of charge such as washers, dryers, and water heaters. We do not accept refrigerators, freezers, or air conditioning units. To dispose of these appliances, you can bring them to the Berkeley Transfer Station at 1201 Second Street in Berkeley @ (510) 981-7270. Call ahead for fees or visit www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/pw/swm/swmxfer.html.

Q: Do you take microwaves?
A: No. Call the Berkeley Transfer Station at (510) 981-7270, Sims Metal at (510) 471-6600 or Household Hazardous Waste Facility 1(888) 412-9277.

Q: I have appliances to recycle but I don't have any way to transport them. What can I do?
A: JACO Environmental will pick up and recycle most household appliances from your home. Call them at 1-800-741-0172 for fees and pick-up information.

Q: Will you take my old mattress and box spring?
A: No. You can take old mattresses and box springs to the Berkeley Transfer Station, located at 2nd Street and Gilman. Call (510) 981-7270 for fee information.

Q: Who is responsible for green waste collection?
A: Your large green waste bin is collected biweekly by East Bay Sanitary. Please contact them at (510) 237-4321 with any collection questions or if you have more green waste than will fit in your bin. You may also take extra green waste to the Berkeley Transfer Station at 2nd Street and Gilman at (510) 981-7270 or the West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill at the foot of Parr Boulevard in Richmond at (510) 233-4330. Call ahead for fee information.

Q: I put my recycling out last night and now my cans and bottles are gone. Who is taking them?
A: Theft is unfortunately a large problem for curbside collection companies. We estimate that the theft of bottles and cans from our curbside grey carts costs the El Cerrito Recycling Center thousands of dollars in lost revenue every month. One way to deter theft is to put out your recycling in the morning before 6am. Additionally, if you see anyone taking your recycling, please call El Cerrito Police Dispatch immediately at (510) 237-3233 with a description of the vehicles and persons involved. Unauthorized removal of materials from your recycling bins is a crime and we need your help in stopping it.

Q: I do not have a new 64-gallon recycling toter cart with wheels, how do I get one?
A: Contact us to request a new cart. You may keep your old bins or buckets or request that we pick them up when we deliver your new cart.

Q: Now that I have my new grey 64-gallon recycling toter cart what should I do with the old green recycling buckets, or the old 18-gallon recycling bins?
A: You can keep the old buckets or bins and continue to use them for anything you wish (extra storage, gardening, art projects, etc). Or, if you decide you don’t want them anymore you can drop them off at the recycling center.

Q: What are the Trash and Recycling Rates in El Cerrito?
Go to www.el-cerrito.org/recycling/rates.html for current rate information.

Q: I don't live in El Cerrito. Who can I talk to about my recycling service?
A: Berkeley residents should call (510) 527-5555. Richmond residents should call (510) 262-1610. Kensington residents should call (510) 237-4614. Albany residents should call (510) 613-8710.

Q: I am a business/ resident and I want to start recycling, but I am having trouble and/or have questions?
A: We are aware that recycling programs change all the time, and can be difficult to get accustomed with. Please contact us and we will promptly talk you through your recycling issues.

Q: I have other questions, what do I do?
A: Contact us! For contact information, visit the Contact Us page