OC Waste & Recycling

A county-run recycling center in central Santa Ana that locals bring everything from garage-clearouts to single-bag loads. Neighbors use it when curbside pickup won't take something or during big cleanups. It’s the kind of place that handles common recyclables and usually has drop-off programs for electronics and household hazardous materials.

Drive up to an entrance booth and be prepared to slow down at a scale - many recycling centers in California charge by weight, so vehicles often stop twice. The site has large roll-off containers and sorting bays; paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals are commonly accepted and there are often separate areas for electronics or special-drop items. Expect a fairly industrial lot with traffic flow for trucks and cars, and recycling dumpsters grouped together a short walk from where vehicles pull in. Weekends and spring cleanup times typically see longer lines, so patience helps.