Berkeley Recycling Center

Berkeley Recycling Center on Gilman is the neighborhood spot for dropping off household recyclables and diverting stuff from the landfill. Locals, small loads from apartments, and folks cleaning out garages use it - it's the practical place for cardboard, paper, glass, metals and many common plastics, and many centers like this also run programs for electronics or bulky items.

Pull up to a small entry booth and an open yard area where different material piles and bins sit out in the open. Signs and painted lanes point toward where to unload glass, cardboard, and mixed containers; expect to walk the short distance to the right-hand bins after pulling in. A scale and another stop point are typically visible at the entry or exit, and the site feels busy on weekends and during neighborhood cleanup periods. The whole place is more functional than pretty - concrete pads, metal bins, and a few covered bays for special drop-offs.