Burbank Recycling Drop-Off: Hours, Map & Accepted Items 2026
This guide is for the City of Burbank Recycle Center at 500 S. Flower Street. Use it to choose the correct service before you drive: public recycling drop-off, CRV bottles and cans, Drop Zone e-waste, batteries, bulbs, toner, antifreeze, mattresses, scrap metal, eyeglasses, or a separate household hazardous waste route.
Fast Answer: Burbank Recycle Center
The official Burbank Recycle Center is at 500 S. Flower St., Burbank, CA 91502. The City lists the main phone as (818) 238-3900 and public drop-off recycling plus CRV bottles/cans as Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM and Saturday, 8 AM-4 PM.
This page is for Burbank, California. It is not for Burbank Illinois, private scrap yards, Glendale CRV sites, Los Angeles S.A.F.E. centers, or general “near me” recycling listings. Always use the City of Burbank page first when checking hours, Drop Zone restrictions, CRV instructions, or unusual materials.
Screenshot Guide: Official Burbank Recycle Center Hours, Map & Drop-Off Rules
This screenshot is placed near the official action section because most visitors first need to recognize where the City shows the Recycle Center address, public drop-off hours, CRV hours, Drop Zone notes and accepted-item links.
Image description: This visual helps readers recognize the official Burbank Recycle Center information area and understand where to confirm today’s hours, map directions, public drop-off recycling, CRV redemption, e-waste Drop Zone notes, Burbank-resident requirements, holiday closures and accepted-item guidance.
Video note: No official, clearly useful Burbank Recycle Center video with fully verified name, thumbnail, uploadDate and embed metadata was used. To avoid VideoObject schema risk, this article does not include a video embed or VideoObject schema.
On This Page
- Burbank drop-off overview
- Correct Burbank location
- Hours, contact and holiday notes
- Which service to use
- Accepted public drop-off items
- Official PDF rules
- CRV bottles and cans
- Drop Zone e-waste and HHW items
- Battery preparation rules
- Oil, paint and HHW changes
- Mattresses, scrap metal and eyeglasses
- Not accepted and what to do instead
- Common mistakes
- Before-you-go checklist
- Map and directions
- FAQ
Burbank Recycling Drop-Off Overview
When people search for “Burbank recycling center,” they usually mean the City of Burbank Recycle Center on Flower Street. This facility includes public recycling drop-off, CRV bottle and can redemption, a materials recovery operation, and the Drop Zone for selected universal-waste items.
The most important user-help detail is that the services do not all share the same rules. A flattened cardboard load, a CRV bottle load, a laptop, a bag of batteries, a mattress, used motor oil and paint all follow different routes.
Make Sure You Mean Burbank, California
This article is only for the City of Burbank, California Recycle Center at 500 S. Flower Street. Do not use Burbank IL, Glendale, Los Angeles S.A.F.E. Center, private scrap-yard or CalRecycle-only listing information as the final word for this facility.
Burbank Recycle Center Hours, Contact and Holiday Notes
The official City hours section separates public drop-off recycling and CRV service from Drop Zone service. This matters because a Saturday CRV trip may work, but a Saturday e-waste or Drop Zone trip will not.
| Service | Listed Hours / Contact | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Public drop-off recycling | Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM; Saturday 8 AM-4 PM. | Use for accepted recycling drop-off materials only, not trash, plastic bags or foam. |
| CRV bottles and cans | Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM; Saturday 8 AM-4 PM. CRV page lists contact (818) 276-0434. | Use for eligible CRV beverage containers sorted by aluminum, plastic and glass. |
| Drop Zone / universal waste | Official pages show weekday-only service and closure on Saturdays, Sundays and City holidays. | Use for accepted Burbank resident Drop Zone items only. Verify details before a special e-waste or battery trip. |
| Office / questions | Main Recycle Center phone is (818) 238-3900. | Call before bringing e-waste, antifreeze, batteries, bulbs, business material, mattresses, appliances or unusual items. |
Which Burbank Recycling Service Should You Use?
Choose the service by item type, not by the word “recycling.” The same address can handle multiple services, but the wrong item can still be rejected or sent to a different official route.
| You Have | Best Starting Point | Important Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard, paper, cans, glass jars, selected plastics | Public recycling drop-off bins. | Follow bin signs and keep trash, foam and plastic bags out. |
| CRV bottles and cans | CRV redemption service. | Only eligible beverage containers qualify. Sort by material first. |
| Computer, TV, monitor, wires, bulbs, batteries, toner | Drop Zone if you are a Burbank resident and meet the rules. | Closed Saturdays, Sundays and City holidays. Proof of Burbank residency may be requested. |
| Paint | PaintCare or official HHW route. | Burbank Recycle Center Drop Zone does not accept paint. |
| Used motor oil or oil filters | Certified used oil collection center. | Burbank Recycle Center no longer accepts used motor oil or filters. |
| Sharps, medicine, asbestos, treated wood | S.A.F.E. Collection Center, HHW program or specialized official route. | Do not place in recycling, trash or Drop Zone unless the official route says so. |
Accepted Public Drop-Off Items
The official Burbank Recycle Center drop-off guide says material-specific bins are provided for items allowed in the curbside program plus select extras such as oversized cardboard, bagged shredded paper, scrap metal and mattresses. Follow the signs on the bins; do not place trash or wrong materials into recycling.
Official PDF Details: Cart Rules, Drop-Off Extras and Contamination Fixes
The City’s “Where It Goes” PDF adds practical detail that helps prevent rejected loads. It confirms that curbside and drop-off rules are not identical, and it gives clear contamination warnings for plastic bags, foam, wet cardboard, tanglers, tiny plastics and mixed-material packaging.
| PDF Detail | What It Means for Users | Practical Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Paper and cardboard | Paper, flattened cardboard, office paper, junk mail and paperback books are accepted, but food-soiled, waxed or laminated paper is not. | Keep cardboard clean and dry; remove packaging and food contamination. |
| Glass | Bottles and jars are different from drinking glasses, ceramics, mirrors, window glass and bulbs. | Only place bottles and jars in glass recycling. |
| Plastic | The PDF highlights accepted #1, #2 and #5 container-style plastics and warns against bags, foam, toys and many problem plastics. | Check the item shape and material, not just the triangle symbol. |
| Shredded paper | Shredded paper is handled as a drop-off item because loose shreds are hard to recover. | Bag shredded paper for the appropriate drop-off route. |
| Tanglers | Cords, ropes, hoses, chains and plastic film can damage sorting equipment. | Keep tanglers out of mixed recycling and use the correct item route. |
| Tiny plastics | Small plastics can fall through sorting equipment and become trash. | Do not place small loose plastic pieces into recycling. |
CRV Bottles and Cans: Sort Before You Arrive
Burbank’s CRV redemption guidance tells visitors to use eligible beverage containers and pre-sort by aluminum, plastic and glass. Sorting before arrival can save time and reduce cashier-window confusion.
- Check for CRV first. Only eligible California Redemption Value beverage containers qualify for CRV payment.
- Remove non-CRV material. Do not mix food trash, non-beverage containers, foam, plastic bags or dirty material into the CRV load.
- Sort by material. Keep plastic, glass and aluminum separate before arriving.
- Weigh and get your receipt. Follow the on-site process and redeem through the cashier window.
Drop Zone: E-Waste, Batteries, Bulbs, Toner and Limited Antifreeze
The Drop Zone is for Burbank residents and selected hard-to-dispose items that do not belong in trash or regular recycling. Proof of Burbank residency may be requested. Business drop-offs for small amounts of e-waste, batteries and bulbs may be possible with proof of Burbank address, but businesses should call first.
| Drop Zone Item | Official Rule Signal | Before You Go |
|---|---|---|
| Computers and laptops | Listed as accepted Drop Zone items. | Back up and remove personal data before drop-off. |
| TVs and monitors | Listed as accepted Drop Zone items. | Bring safely and call if the item is large, cracked or damaged. |
| Wires and power strips | Listed as accepted Drop Zone items. | Bundle cords to avoid tangles. |
| Lightbulbs and tubes | Official guidance lists a ten-tube or ten-bulb annual resident limit depending on item type. | Keep bulbs intact and boxed when possible. |
| Toner and inkjet cartridges | Brand-name cartridges are accepted; aftermarket or generic cartridges are not accepted. | Keep the brand label visible. |
| E-bikes and hoverboards | Loose e-bike batteries are not accepted; e-bike batteries must be installed on an e-bike if dropped off under accepted conditions. | Call first if you have a damaged battery or battery-only item. |
| Antifreeze | Up to two gallons per person; must be in gallon containers, not mixed, and checked in with attendant. | Do not leave antifreeze unattended. That can be treated as illegal dumping. |
Battery Preparation Rules
Batteries are a common reason for a wasted or unsafe recycling trip. The City says batteries should not go into trash or recycling containers, and Burbank residents can use the Drop Zone for accepted batteries when prepared correctly.
| Battery Type | Preparation | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| AAA, AA, C, D single-use batteries | No special taping is listed for these common single-use types. | Still keep them separate and follow Drop Zone directions. |
| Coin cell and lithium single-use batteries | Bag each battery by itself separately. | Prevents terminals from touching other batteries or metal. |
| Rechargeable and 6V / 9V batteries | Tape the positive terminal with clear packing, non-conductive electrical or duct tape. Do not use masking tape. | Reduces fire and short-circuit risk. |
| Loose e-bike batteries | Not accepted at Burbank Recycle Center. | Call for a safe official route before transporting. |
Used Motor Oil, Paint and Household Hazardous Waste Changes
This section is important because older printed guidance and older search snippets can be outdated. The current City HHW page says Burbank Recycle Center no longer accepts used motor oil or used motor oil filters as of Dec. 31, 2025. The Drop Zone also does not accept paint.
| Material | Burbank Recycle Center Rule | What To Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Antifreeze | Accepted with limits: up to two gallons per person, in gallon containers, not mixed with other liquids, and checked in with a Drop Zone attendant. | Do not leave it unattended and do not mix it with other fluids. |
| Used motor oil and oil filters | No longer accepted at the Burbank Recycle Center. | Use a certified used-oil collection center. |
| Paint | Drop Zone does not accept paint. | Use PaintCare or another official HHW route. |
| Asbestos / treated wood | Not accepted at Drop Zone. | Use a S.A.F.E. Collection Center or specialized official guidance. |
| Medicine and sharps | Not accepted at Drop Zone. | Use a pharmacy, mail-back, DEA Take Back, S.A.F.E. Center or official sharps route. |
Mattresses, Scrap Metal and Eyeglasses
The Burbank guide lists mattresses, scrap metal and eyeglass donation as special drop-off categories. These are useful services, but each has a condition that can prevent a wasted trip.
| Item | Accepted Condition | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Mattresses | Burbank guidance notes resident drop-off limits and excludes wet, heavily soiled or bedbug-infested mattresses. | Loading a wet mattress, sofa bed, cushion, topper, pillow or non-eligible bedding item. |
| Scrap metal | Metal items can go to the scrap metal bin when acceptable. | Metal with attached plastic or wood may be rejected or require another route. |
| Eyeglasses | Call (818) 238-3900 to schedule office drop-off; eyeglasses only, no cases. | Arriving without calling when the office is closed to the public. |
Not Accepted Items and What To Do Instead
The Recycle Center is not a trash dump and the Drop Zone is not a full hazardous-waste site. Use the table below before loading items that are commonly rejected or commonly confused.
| Problem Item | Why It Is a Problem | Better Action |
|---|---|---|
| Trash and non-recyclables | Public drop-off bins are for accepted recyclables, not garbage. | Use the correct trash container, bulky pickup or official disposal route. |
| Plastic bags | Official drop-off guidance says plastic bags are not accepted in the recycling drop-off stream. | Use a store film/bag take-back route if available. |
| Foam / Styrofoam | Not accepted as public recycling drop-off. | Use the Where It Goes tool for current guidance. |
| Paint | Drop Zone does not accept paint. | Use PaintCare or another official HHW collection route. |
| Used motor oil and used oil filters | Recycle Center oil collection has ended. | Use a certified used-oil collection center. |
| Sharps and medicine | Drop Zone does not accept medicines or sharps. Sharps can injure workers. | Use sharps mail-back, pharmacy locator, DEA Take Back or S.A.F.E. guidance. |
| Loose e-bike batteries | Not accepted at Burbank Recycle Center. | Call for battery-specific disposal options before transporting. |
Common Burbank Drop-Off Mistakes
The most common problems are caused by arriving on the wrong day, using the wrong service window, mixing trash with recyclables, or assuming “Drop Zone” means every hazardous item is accepted.
Before You Visit: Practical Checklist
- Confirm the service. Decide whether you need public drop-off recycling, CRV redemption, Drop Zone, HHW alternative, or a bulky-item route.
- Check the schedule. Public drop-off and CRV use Mon-Fri/Sat hours; Drop Zone is weekday-only and closed City holidays.
- Bring Burbank proof for Drop Zone. Burbank residency or address proof may be requested for Drop Zone items.
- Sort recyclables at home. Keep cardboard, glass, cans, paper, plastics and metal in separate groups if possible.
- Sort CRV containers. Separate aluminum, plastic and glass before arriving.
- Prepare batteries safely. Bag or tape batteries by type as official guidance requires.
- Do not bring restricted items. Paint, used motor oil, oil filters, sharps, medicines, loose e-bike batteries, asbestos and trash need other routes.
- Call before unusual loads. Use (818) 238-3900 for unclear items, business drop-offs, large electronics or special material questions.
Map and Directions to Burbank Recycle Center
The map below points to the City of Burbank Recycle Center at 500 S. Flower Street. Use it for navigation, then verify today’s schedule, holiday closure and item rules on the official City page before visiting.
Independent guide note: Recycling-Centre.org is not the official City of Burbank, Burbank Recycle Center, Burrtec, PaintCare, CalRecycle, LA Sanitation or S.A.F.E. Collection Center website. Hours, holiday closures, accepted items, Drop Zone windows, proof requirements, CRV instructions and HHW rules can change. Always verify with the official City page before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burbank Recycling Drop-Off
Where is Burbank Recycle Center?
Burbank Recycle Center is at 500 S. Flower St., Burbank, CA 91502.
What are Burbank Recycle Center drop-off hours?
Public drop-off recycling and CRV bottles/cans are listed Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Check City holiday closures before visiting.
Is Burbank Recycle Center open Saturday?
Yes for listed public drop-off recycling and CRV bottles/cans, Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM. The Drop Zone is closed Saturdays, Sundays and City holidays.
Is Burbank Recycle Center open Sunday?
No regular Sunday schedule is listed for public drop-off, CRV or Drop Zone service. Do not plan a Sunday trip unless the City posts a current special notice.
Does Burbank Recycle Center accept e-waste?
Yes, accepted Burbank resident Drop Zone e-waste can include items such as computers, laptops, TVs, monitors, wires and power strips. Drop Zone is closed weekends and City holidays, and proof of Burbank residency may be requested.
Does Burbank Recycle Center accept batteries?
Yes, accepted batteries can be dropped at the Drop Zone when prepared correctly. Some batteries need to be bagged separately or taped. Loose e-bike batteries are not accepted.
Can I redeem CRV bottles and cans in Burbank?
Yes. Sort eligible CRV beverage containers by aluminum, plastic and glass before arriving. The City’s CRV page also links to nearby alternative redemption options and the CalRecycle locator.
Does Burbank Recycle Center accept paint?
No. The City guidance says the Burbank Recycle Center Drop Zone does not accept paint. Use PaintCare or another official hazardous-waste route.
Does Burbank Recycle Center accept used motor oil?
No. The City says Burbank Recycle Center no longer accepts used motor oil or used motor oil filters as of December 31, 2025. Use a certified used-oil collection center.
Are plastic bags accepted in public drop-off recycling?
No. Burbank’s drop-off guidance says non-recyclable items and trash are not accepted, including plastic bags and foam.
Can businesses use the Drop Zone?
Burbank businesses may be able to drop off small amounts of e-waste, batteries and bulbs with proof of Burbank address, but they should call the office first to review items.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Burbank Recycle Center website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent informational guide. Always verify current hours, accepted materials, Drop Zone rules, CRV process and holiday closures with official City of Burbank pages before visiting.
Final Local Summary
Use the City of Burbank Recycle Center at 500 S. Flower St. for accepted public recycling drop-off and CRV bottles/cans. Public drop-off and CRV are listed Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Use Drop Zone only for accepted Burbank resident universal-waste items, and do not bring paint, used motor oil, oil filters, sharps, medicines, asbestos, trash, plastic bags or foam as regular recycling.