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El Cerrito Recycling Center on Schmidt Lane is the neighborhood place people swing by for their recycling runs. Neighbors drop off boxes of paper and cardboard, bottles, cans and other common recyclables without making the longer drive to a transfer station. It’s the sort of site used by households cleaning out closets or doing yard work rather than commercial haulers.
Drive in and there’s a small entrance booth and a one-way flow through the site; follow the cars ahead to figure out where to pull up. Expect a scale to be part of the visit-many facilities weigh loads and there’s usually a stop at the exit after unloading. The drop-off bays are grouped by material in large open containers, with staff or attendants nearby during business hours to point to the right bin. Weekends get busier, especially during spring cleanup, so lines and some waiting are common.
Facility Information
Before You Go
- Break down and stack cardboard before arriving; it saves space and speeds unloading.
- Sort items by material into boxes or tubs in the car so unloading goes faster when it’s your turn.
- Keep food scraps and yard waste separate from recyclables-California centers around here often expect organics to be kept out of mixed recycling.
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Disposal Guides
Learn how to properly dispose of common items.
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