Berkeley Recycling: Hours, CRV Buyback, Drop-Off Rules & What to Bring
Berkeley Recycling at 669 Gilman Street handles recyclable drop-off and California CRV buyback, but it is not the same service as the nearby City of Berkeley Transfer Station. Choosing the right facility before loading your vehicle can prevent rejected materials, unexpected fees and wasted trips.
This guide was rechecked against Berkeley Recycling, the City of Berkeley and CalRecycle on September 29, 2026.
Quick answer: which Berkeley recycling service do you need?
Use Berkeley Recycling at 669 Gilman Street when you have accepted recyclables or eligible CRV beverage containers. Drop-off and buyback use different processes and, on weekdays, different opening times.
Use the City of Berkeley Transfer Station at 1201 Second Street for refuse, construction and demolition material, organics, mattresses, tires, propane tanks and other disposal or special-handling items covered by City rates.
On this page
Berkeley Recycling Center Hours
Berkeley Recycling’s main hours table separates drop-off from buyback. Weekday drop-off opens one hour earlier, so someone bringing cardboard without seeking payment can arrive before the CRV buyback window begins.
| Day | Drop-Off | Buyback / CRV | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | If you need payment, wait until buyback opens. |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | Use the main official hours page for the current Saturday schedule. |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | Do not plan a Sunday visit. |
Holiday half-days and closures
Berkeley Recycling lists Memorial Day, Labor Day and Christmas Eve as half-days, with closing at noon. New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are listed as closures.
Holiday schedules can change. Before loading a large vehicle, check the official Berkeley Recycling hours page.
A Saturday-hours discrepancy exists on the official site
The current main hours table lists Saturday as 9 AM–4 PM, while some older material still visible on Berkeley Recycling’s site shows an earlier Saturday drop-off start. Use the main hours page for trip planning and recheck before making a special Saturday trip.
Drop-Off vs Buyback: Choose the Correct Entrance and Process
Use Drop-Off
Use the drop-off area when you want to recycle accepted material without going through the CRV payment process.
Berkeley Recycling instructs drivers to enter from Second Street, turn left toward drop-off, stay alert for forklifts and moving vehicles, then use the correct bin or area.
Use Buyback
Use Buyback when you are redeeming eligible California CRV beverage containers or selling another material Berkeley Recycling purchases.
Buyback customers enter at the first gate on Second Street, wait near the stop sign and should sort material before reaching the scale whenever possible.
What happens at the Buyback?
- Sort before arriving. Keep aluminum, glass, plastic and other material categories separate.
- Enter the Buyback gate. Berkeley Recycling directs Buyback customers to the first gate on Second Street.
- Use a parking spot if more sorting is needed. Finish sorting, then return to the queue.
- Unload when directed. Materials are weighed or counted according to the applicable rules.
- Get the weight tag. Move forward so the scale is clear for the next customer.
- Use the payment window. Berkeley Recycling says it does not pay cash and warns that lost or stolen checks are not re-issued.
Berkeley CRV Buyback Rules for 2026
Berkeley Recycling operates a certified California recycling center. For CRV redemption, state rules matter in addition to the facility’s own operating instructions.
5¢ refund
Eligible beverage containers under 24 ounces generally carry a 5-cent California Refund Value.
10¢ refund
Eligible beverage containers 24 ounces or larger generally carry a 10-cent refund value.
25¢ categories
Certain wine and distilled-spirit bag-in-box, multilayer pouch and paperboard-carton containers carry a 25-cent refund value.
Check the CRV label
For ordinary eligible containers, look for wording such as CA CRV, California Redemption Value, CA Redemption Value, California Cash Refund or CA Cash Refund. Do not assume a bottle or can qualifies just because of its shape or material.
2026 rate correction: use CalRecycle’s current rates
Berkeley Recycling’s Buyback page still displays some older per-pound price examples. CalRecycle’s current consumer guidance says revised rates became effective January 1, 2026 and that certified centers must use the applicable minimum rates.
Current CalRecycle examples include $1.66 per pound for aluminum, $1.46 for #1 PET, $0.67 for #2 HDPE and $0.101 for glass. Because rates can change, use the current CalRecycle consumer rate page rather than relying on an older cached price table.
Payment by count and daily load limits
CalRecycle says customers can request payment by count for up to 50 CRV containers of each ordinary material type per transaction: glass, aluminum, plastic and bimetal. Special wine/distilled-spirit bag-in-box, multilayer pouch and paperboard-carton categories have lower per-count limits.
State daily load limits also apply. CalRecycle currently lists 100 pounds each for aluminum and plastic and 1,000 pounds for glass, with separate limits for the newer wine and distilled-spirit container categories.
ID for larger Berkeley Buyback transactions
Berkeley Recycling states that government-issued identification is required when processing more than $100 worth of recyclables at the Buyback. Bring ID if your load could exceed that amount.
What Berkeley Recycling Accepts
Acceptance is not just about the material name. Berkeley Recycling asks customers to prepare, sort and empty material before arrival. Dirty, wet, mixed or improperly prepared recyclables may create delays or be rejected.
| Material | Examples | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard & paper | Cardboard, brown paper bags, mixed paper, newspaper, magazines, books | Keep preferably dry. Flatten cardboard. No waxed cardboard. |
| Aluminum & cans | Aluminum cans, foil, clean pet-food cans, tin and bimetal cans | Empty containers. Remove food and liquid. |
| Glass | Glass bottles and jars | Empty and sort by clear, brown and green where required. |
| Plastics | Accepted plastic bottles, jugs, CRV containers and selected rigid plastics | Empty and clean. Follow resin/type instructions for the exact item. |
| Metal | Scrap steel, aluminum scrap, selected small engines and metal items | Small engines and lawn equipment must have fluids drained. |
| Appliances | Water heaters, stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers and furnaces | Large appliances are listed at $20 each. Refrigerators are not accepted. |
For a broader preparation checklist, use Berkeley Recycling’s official Materials Preparation page.
Batteries, Fluorescent Bulbs and Selected Universal Waste
Berkeley Recycling accepts selected universal-waste items, but it is not a general hazardous-waste disposal facility. Residents and small businesses in Alameda County receive limited free quantities for certain batteries and lamps.
| Item | Published free limit | Preparation / note |
|---|---|---|
| Household & tool batteries | Up to 5 lb or 1 quart | Sort batteries by type before arrival. |
| Compact fluorescent bulbs | Up to 10 | Handle gently and do not break them. |
| 4-foot fluorescent tubes | Up to 10 | Sort by length/type and transport intact. |
| 8-foot fluorescent tubes | Up to 6 | Keep intact and separate from mixed recyclables. |
Amounts above the free limits have published fees. Berkeley Recycling currently lists regular batteries at $1/lb, mixed batteries at $2/lb, rechargeable/coin batteries at $4/lb, fluorescent tubes at $0.25/foot, compact fluorescents at $1 each, circular/U-shape lamps at $2.50 each and PCB-free light ballasts at $2 each.
For current limits and charges, check the Berkeley Recycling universal-waste page before visiting.
What Not to Bring to Berkeley Recycling
Common plastic problems
- Plastic bags and film
- Styrofoam
- Rubber
- PVC pipe and vinyl
- Laminated plastic
- Very small plastic pieces that do not meet the facility’s size guidance
Glass that is not bottle-and-jar recycling
- Window glass
- Pyrex
- Drinking glasses
- Dishes and ceramics
Appliances and electronics to reroute
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Microwave ovens
- Electronics not specifically accepted by the program
Hazardous or disposal items
- Propane and compressed-gas cylinders
- Asbestos-containing material
- Gas tanks and many drums
- General trash and mixed disposal loads
Do not bring general household hazardous waste here by assumption
Paint, solvents, pesticides, old fuel, cleaners, medications, sharps and similar items may require Alameda County’s household hazardous-waste system instead. The City of Berkeley directs residents to StopWaste’s disposal resources for broader HHW options.
Use the City of Berkeley HHW guidance before transporting hazardous material.
Berkeley Recycling vs City of Berkeley Transfer Station
The facilities are close to one another but serve different purposes. Berkeley Recycling focuses on recyclable drop-off and buyback; the City Transfer Station handles disposal and resource recovery under municipal rules and rates.
| Your material or goal | Berkeley Recycling | City Transfer Station |
|---|---|---|
| CRV bottles and cans | Yes — Buyback is the main redemption route. | Not the primary CRV redemption route. |
| Cardboard, paper, cans and accepted glass/plastic | Yes, when properly prepared. | Check City rules if combining with another load. |
| Refuse or mixed disposal | No general dumping. | Yes, subject to rates and rules. |
| Construction & demolition material | Not a general C&D disposal facility. | Accepted categories are listed by the City. |
| Mattress or tire | Use another route unless specifically listed. | City rules and applicable fees apply. |
| Propane tank | Not accepted as standard recycling. | City lists a special handling charge. |
City Transfer Station practical rules
The Transfer Station is at 1201 Second Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 and is currently listed as open Monday–Saturday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, with Sunday closed. The City says there is no pedestrian access; customers must be inside a vehicle.
Loads must be fully covered and secured. The City lists a $15 unsecured-load fee. It also publishes special charges including $20 per automobile tire, $30 per truck tire and $35 per propane tank. Verify rates before driving because city disposal charges can change.
Prepare Your Load Before Driving
- Choose the service first. Decide whether you need free recycling drop-off, CRV buyback, universal-waste handling or City disposal.
- Sort at home. Separate cardboard, mixed paper, aluminum, glass, plastics, batteries, bulbs and metals.
- Keep cardboard dry. Flatten boxes and leave waxed cardboard out of the recycling load.
- Empty beverage containers. Liquid-filled containers can be rejected at Buyback.
- Check CRV labels. Do not mix clearly non-CRV packaging into a redemption load.
- Protect batteries and lamps. Sort battery types and transport fluorescent lamps intact.
- Drain small engines. Remove oil and other fluids from small engines or lawn equipment before bringing accepted metal items.
- Reroute refrigerators. Berkeley Recycling does not accept them.
- Recheck unusual material. For hazardous, bulky or fee-based items, confirm the correct facility before loading your vehicle.
Common Reasons a Berkeley Recycling Trip Goes Wrong
You arrive before Buyback opens
Weekday drop-off begins at 8 AM, but Buyback begins at 9 AM. If you want CRV payment, use the Buyback schedule.
Your CRV is not clearly eligible
Check the California refund wording and container category rather than assuming every beverage package qualifies.
You bring trash or construction debris
These are generally Transfer Station issues, not normal Berkeley Recycling drop-off items.
Your load is mixed or contaminated
Wet cardboard, liquid-filled containers, food contamination and unsorted materials make unloading slower and can cause rejection.
You bring too much universal waste
Free battery and lamp quantities have limits. Check the published fee schedule if you exceed them.
You plan a Sunday trip
Berkeley Recycling and the City Transfer Station are both listed as closed on Sunday.
Berkeley Recycling Center Map and Entry Route
Berkeley Recycling is at 669 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA 94710, at the corner of Second Street. Buyback customers are directed to the first gate on Second Street. Drop-off customers enter from Second Street and turn left toward the drop-off area.
Map limitation: use the map for directions, not for deciding whether a particular material is accepted or whether a service is operating today. The official facility and City pages are the better sources for operational rules.
Useful Related Recycling Guides
If Berkeley Recycling does not handle your specific material, these site guides can help you identify the correct type of facility before searching locally:
- Recycling Center Near Me: hours, drop-off and facility types
- Cardboard Recycling Center Near Me: preparation and drop-off rules
- Tire Recycling Center Near Me: fees, rims and drop-off options
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Berkeley Recycling Center?
Berkeley Recycling is at 669 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA 94710, at the corner of Second Street.
What are Berkeley Recycling Center hours?
The official hours table lists drop-off Monday–Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM, Buyback Monday–Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM, Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday closed. Holiday half-days and closures also apply.
Is Berkeley Recycling Center open on Sunday?
No. Berkeley Recycling lists Sunday as closed. The City of Berkeley Transfer Station is also closed on Sunday.
Does Berkeley Recycling pay cash for CRV?
No. Berkeley Recycling’s Buyback instructions state that it does not pay cash. Follow the facility’s payment-window process after eligible material is weighed or counted.
Do I need ID at Berkeley Buyback?
Berkeley Recycling says government-issued ID is required when processing more than $100 worth of recyclables at the Buyback.
Can I recycle cardboard at Berkeley Recycling?
Yes. Berkeley Recycling accepts cardboard. It should preferably be dry and flattened. Brown paper bags are accepted with cardboard, while waxed cardboard is excluded.
Does Berkeley Recycling accept batteries and fluorescent bulbs?
Yes, within its published universal-waste program. Free quantity limits apply to Alameda County residents and small businesses, and fees apply above some limits. Sort batteries and protect lamps from breakage before arriving.
Does Berkeley Recycling accept refrigerators?
No. Berkeley Recycling specifically says refrigerators are not accepted. Other listed large appliances such as washers, dryers, stoves and water heaters currently have a $20-per-unit charge.
When should I use the City of Berkeley Transfer Station instead?
Use the Transfer Station for refuse, construction and demolition material, organics, mattresses, tires, propane tanks and other disposal or special-handling items covered by City rules and rates.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Berkeley Recycling website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent information guide. Verify current facility hours, acceptance rules, CRV rates, charges and closures with Berkeley Recycling, CalRecycle or the City of Berkeley before making a special trip.
Official Sources to Check Before Visiting
Before You Load the Car
Use Berkeley Recycling when your material belongs in its drop-off or Buyback program. Sort first, check CRV labels if you want redemption, keep cardboard dry, empty containers and review the specific rules for batteries, fluorescent lamps and appliances.
For refuse, construction debris, organics, mattresses, tires, propane tanks or other disposal items, check the City of Berkeley Transfer Station instead. For broader hazardous waste, use the Alameda County/StopWaste route.
Independent information guide: Recycling-Centre.org does not operate Berkeley Recycling, the City of Berkeley Transfer Station or California’s CRV program. Operational details can change, so confirm unusual materials, current rates and holiday schedules with the responsible official source before visiting.