South Tahoe Recycling Center

Small, working recycling center in South Lake Tahoe used by homeowners, contractors and folks cleaning out cabins. Nearby residents drop off bottles, cardboard and scrap metal here; community cleanups and DIY projects send a steady stream through the gate. It feels like a practical place rather than a showroom-trucks, trailers and pickups are the norm.

Drive up to a small entrance booth and be ready to stop; there’s often a scale and trucks get weighed coming and going. The stacks of bins and piles are easy to see from the driveway, with mixed recycling, glass and metal areas set out across the lot. Pull-up locations are obvious-larger loads park closer to the sorting piles while cars and small trailers use the front lanes. Since this is a local recycling center, plan to sort common materials yourself and follow staff directions for where to drop each load.