Shoreway Environmental – Public Recycling Center: Hours
Use this Shoreway Environmental Center Public Recycling Center guide before you drive to San Carlos. It explains today’s PRC hours, Gate 1 directions, free residential drop-off items, buyback closure, Transfer Station differences, fees, accepted materials, not-accepted items, oil, paint, batteries, sharps, electronics and map links in plain local language.
RethinkWaste lists Public Recycling Center hours as Monday-Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
San Carlos, CA 94070 Phone (650) 802-8355 Entrance Gate 1 Facility Map → Official RethinkWaste Services → SW
Fast Answer for San Carlos and Mid-Peninsula Residents
The Shoreway Environmental Center Public Recycling Center is at 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070. RethinkWaste says the public entrance is through Gate 1. The Public Recycling Center is listed open Monday through Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The Public Recycling Center accepts a specific list of materials for free residential drop-off, including batteries, cardboard, cell phones, CFLs, home-generated cooking oil, electronics, fluorescent tubes, labeled paint, scrap metal, small appliances, sealed sharps, antifreeze, used motor oil and oil filters. It is not a general dump, not a buyback center right now, and not the same as the paid Transfer Station.
On This Page
- Shoreway PRC overview
- Quick facts before you drive
- Public Recycling Center hours
- Which Shoreway service should you use?
- Accepted free PRC items
- Items not accepted at PRC
- Fees, free items and buyback closure
- Transfer Station hours and rates
- Electronics, TVs and cell phones
- Oil, paint, CFLs and tubes
- Sharps, batteries and antifreeze
- Hazardous waste routing
- Drive-up checklist
- Official links
- Map and directions
- FAQ
Shoreway Environmental Center Public Recycling Center Overview
When people search for shoreway environmental center – public recycling center, they usually need the hours, the entrance, the free drop-off list or the difference between the Public Recycling Center and the Transfer Station. Shoreway is a larger environmental center in San Carlos with a Public Recycling Center, Transfer Station, Material Recovery Facility and education/tour programs.
The Public Recycling Center is the correct drop-off area for listed free residential recyclables and selected hard-to-recycle items. The Transfer Station is the paid route for garbage, yard trimmings, construction and demolition debris, clean wood, tires, appliances, mattresses, sofas, water heaters and similar materials.
Quick Facts Before You Drive
| User Question | Best Answer | Best Link |
|---|---|---|
| Where is Shoreway Public Recycling Center? | 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070. Use Gate 1. | Map directions |
| What are PRC hours today? | Public Recycling Center hours are listed as Monday-Sunday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. | Hours section |
| Is Shoreway free? | PRC accepted items are free for residential waste only. Transfer Station items have rates. | Fee notes |
| Can I recycle electronics? | Yes, consumer electronics are listed for free residential drop-off at PRC. | Electronics guide |
| Can I bring garbage or furniture? | Not to PRC. Garbage and furniture are Transfer Station / paid disposal items. | Transfer Station guide |
| Is buyback open? | No. RethinkWaste notes the buyback portion of the PRC remains closed. | Buyback note |
Shoreway Public Recycling Center Hours
The Shoreway Public Recycling Center is listed open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. These are PRC hours, not Transfer Station weekday hours.
| Day | Public Recycling Center Hours | Resident Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | PRC open; Transfer Station weekday hours are longer. |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | Good day for less weekend traffic. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | Sort materials before you arrive. |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | Check holiday weeks first. |
| Friday | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | Call first if bringing unusual materials. |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | May be busier; load sorted boxes at home. |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | Use only for accepted PRC items, not general dumping. |
Which Shoreway Service Should You Use?
Shoreway has more than one public-facing route. The Public Recycling Center is best for listed free residential recycling and selected hard-to-recycle items. The Transfer Station is for paid disposal and larger non-hazardous materials. San Mateo County HHW should be used for hazardous materials that Shoreway does not accept.
| Need | Best Shoreway / County Route | Use It For | Do Not Use It For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free residential recycling drop-off | Public Recycling Center | Batteries, cardboard, cell phones, CFLs, cooking oil, electronics, fluorescent tubes, labeled paint, scrap metal, small appliances, sharps, antifreeze, motor oil and oil filters. | Garbage, furniture, gas cylinders, Styrofoam, treated wood, large appliances and flimsy plastics. |
| Paid disposal / hauling | Transfer Station | Solid waste, yard trimmings, C&D debris, clean wood, tires, appliances, mattresses, sofas, water heaters, dirt, rock, concrete and similar materials. | Hazardous waste, liquid waste, sealed containers, hot ashes, dead animals and reactive/radioactive materials. |
| Hazardous waste not accepted at PRC | San Mateo County HHW Program | Aerosols, spray paint, propane tanks and other HHW that Shoreway redirects to county HHW. | Do not bring these to PRC or Transfer Station unless official guidance says accepted. |
| Buyback recycling | Alternate local buyback locations | CRV/buyback needs while Shoreway PRC buyback remains closed. | Do not expect cash buyback at the PRC. |
Accepted Free Drop-Off Items at Shoreway Public Recycling Center
The Public Recycling Center accepts the following listed items for free drop-off from residential waste only. Do not bring commercial loads or non-listed materials expecting them to be handled as free PRC recycling.
| Category | Accepted at PRC | Important Limit / Prep Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | Household batteries and car batteries. | Keep batteries sorted and ask staff if terminals need protection. |
| Cardboard | Cardboard, including large-sized or excess cardboard. | Flatten boxes before arrival and keep cardboard clean. |
| Electronics | Computers, monitors, TVs, copiers, faxes, VCRs and other consumer electronics. | Remove personal data from devices before recycling. |
| Phones | Cell phones. | Erase data, remove memory cards and sign out of accounts first. |
| Lighting | CFLs and fluorescent light tubes. | Fluorescent tubes are household only, up to 6 tubes, each less than 6 feet. |
| Paint | Latex and oil-based paint with original labels. | Up to 10 gallons. Keep original labels and lids secure. |
| Oil and antifreeze | Home-generated cooking oil, used motor oil, motor oil filters and motor antifreeze. | Cooking oil up to 15 gallons. Motor oil up to 15 gallons. Antifreeze up to 10 gallons. |
| Metal and small appliances | Scrap metal and small appliances like blenders, toasters and mixers. | Small appliances should not contain fuel, batteries or refrigerants. |
| Sharps / needles | Sharps and needles. | Must be in a sealed container. Do not bring loose sharps. |
Items Not Accepted at the Public Recycling Center
The PRC does not accept CDs, VHS tapes, furniture, garbage, gas cylinders, incandescent lights, medium or large kitchen appliances, plastic bags, bubble wrap, other flimsy plastics, printer/toner cartridges, sand bags, Styrofoam or treated wood waste.
Fees, Free Residential Drop-Off and Buyback Closure
The Public Recycling Center’s listed accepted items are free for residential waste only. That is different from the Transfer Station, where rates are charged by cubic yard, ton or per unit depending on the material. Do not assume “Shoreway” means every item is free.
RethinkWaste notes that the buyback portion of the Public Recycling Center remains closed. If you are looking for a CRV or buyback recycling payment, use an alternate local buyback location instead of expecting payment at Shoreway PRC.
Shoreway Transfer Station Hours and 2026 Rate Notes
The Shoreway Transfer Station is separate from the Public Recycling Center. RethinkWaste lists Transfer Station hours as Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM, and Saturday-Sunday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
| Transfer Station Item | 2026 Listed Rate Example | Resident Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Solid waste | $72.00 per cubic yard; minimum charge listed separately. | Use this route for accepted garbage, not the PRC. |
| Yard trimmings | $64.00 per cubic yard. | Keep clean yard trimmings separated from garbage. |
| Construction debris | $67.00 per cubic yard. | Separate clean C&D where possible. |
| Clean wood / raw lumber | $64.00 per cubic yard. | Do not mix treated wood waste with clean wood. |
| Dirt, rock, concrete, sod | $164.03 per ton. | Keep this material clean and separate. |
| Residential mattress | $0.00 up to 5 per visit. | Commercial or non-resident mattress/box spring rate is listed separately. |
| Refrigerator | $33 with proof of Freon evacuation; $60 without proof. | Bring documentation if Freon was removed. |
| Sofa | $30 each; sectionals are charged by section. | Furniture is not a PRC drop-off item. |
Electronics, TVs, Computers and Cell Phones
The Public Recycling Center accepts consumer electronics for free residential drop-off, including computers, computer monitors, TVs, copiers, faxes, VCRs and other consumer electronics. Cell phones are also listed as accepted.
Before bringing computers, phones, tablets or drives, remove personal information. Back up important files, sign out of accounts, remove memory cards and factory-reset devices when possible. A recycling center handles material recovery; it does not automatically protect your data.
Paint, Cooking Oil, Motor Oil, CFLs and Fluorescent Tubes
Shoreway PRC accepts latex and oil-based paint with original labels, up to 10 gallons. It also accepts home-generated cooking oil up to 15 gallons, used motor oil up to 15 gallons, used motor oil filters and used motor antifreeze up to 10 gallons.
CFLs and fluorescent tubes are accepted, but fluorescent light tubes are limited to household-only quantities: up to 6 tubes, and each tube must be less than 6 feet. Pack bulbs and tubes carefully so they do not break during transport.
Sharps, Needles, Batteries and Antifreeze
Sharps and needles are accepted only when they are in a sealed container. Do not bring loose needles, loose syringes or open sharps containers. Batteries are accepted, including household and car batteries, but they should be kept separate from other material.
Antifreeze is accepted up to 10 gallons. Keep it in a secure container, avoid mixing it with motor oil or other liquids, and ask staff where to place it when you arrive.
Hazardous Waste That Should Go Elsewhere
Shoreway’s Transfer Station does not accept hazardous waste, liquid waste or sludge, radioactive or reactive materials, sealed containers, hot ashes, aerosols, spray paint or dead animals. The Shoreway service page points residents to San Mateo County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program for proper hazardous waste disposal.
Aerosols including spray paint and propane tanks are redirected to San Mateo County HHW guidance rather than the PRC. If your item can leak, burn, explode, react, poison, pressurize or is not listed as accepted at PRC, verify before bringing it to Shoreway.
How to Prepare Before Visiting Shoreway PRC
- Confirm your route. Use Public Recycling Center for listed free residential items. Use Transfer Station for paid disposal items.
- Enter through Gate 1. The public entrance for PRC and Transfer Station is at Gate 1, 333 Shoreway Road.
- Check the clock. PRC hours are Monday-Sunday, 8 AM-5 PM, except listed holiday closures.
- Sort at home. Separate cardboard, electronics, batteries, oil, antifreeze, paint, CFLs, scrap metal and sharps.
- Keep liquids sealed. Transport oil, antifreeze, cooking oil and paint upright with lids tight and original labels when required.
- Secure sharps. Bring needles and sharps only in a sealed container. Never bring loose sharps.
- Erase electronics data. Remove personal data from phones, computers, tablets and storage devices before drop-off.
- Do not bring PRC rejects. Keep garbage, furniture, gas cylinders, Styrofoam, flimsy plastics, treated wood and large appliances out of the PRC load.
Official Shoreway and Related Links
Shoreway Public Recycling Center Map and Directions
The map below points to 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070. Use Gate 1 for the public entrance to the Public Recycling Center and Transfer Station. Use the official RethinkWaste page for final hours, accepted items, buyback status, holiday closures and staff instructions.
Map note: Recycling-Centre.org is an independent guide, not the official RethinkWaste, South Bayside Industries or San Mateo County website. Hours, fees, accepted materials, holiday closures, buyback status and safety rules can change. Always verify through official pages or call 650-802-8355 before bringing large, paid, hazardous or unusual items.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoreway Public Recycling Center
Where is Shoreway Environmental Center Public Recycling Center?
Shoreway Environmental Center is at 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070. Public visitors use Gate 1 for the Public Recycling Center and Transfer Station.
What are Shoreway Public Recycling Center hours?
The Public Recycling Center is listed open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
What is the Shoreway phone number?
The Shoreway Environmental Center phone number is 650-802-8355.
Is the Shoreway Public Recycling Center free?
The listed Public Recycling Center accepted items are free for residential waste only. Transfer Station items have rates and are not the same as free PRC drop-off.
Is buyback recycling open at Shoreway?
No. RethinkWaste notes that the buyback portion of the Public Recycling Center remains closed. Use alternate local buyback locations for CRV or buyback needs.
What items are accepted at Shoreway PRC?
Accepted free residential PRC items include batteries, cardboard, cell phones, CFLs, home-generated cooking oil, electronics, fluorescent tubes, labeled paint, scrap metal, small appliances, sealed sharps, antifreeze, used motor oil and oil filters.
Does Shoreway accept electronics and TVs?
Yes. The PRC accepts consumer electronics including computers, monitors, TVs, copiers, faxes, VCRs and other consumer electronics for residential drop-off.
Can I bring paint, oil or antifreeze?
Yes, within listed limits. PRC accepts latex and oil-based paint with original labels up to 10 gallons, home-generated cooking oil up to 15 gallons, used motor oil up to 15 gallons and antifreeze up to 10 gallons.
Does Shoreway accept sharps or needles?
Yes, but sharps and needles must be in a sealed container. Loose sharps should never be brought to the PRC.
What items are not accepted at Shoreway PRC?
PRC does not accept CDs, VHS tapes, furniture, garbage, gas cylinders, incandescent lights, medium/large kitchen appliances, flimsy plastics, printer/toner cartridges, sand bags, Styrofoam or treated wood waste.
What are Shoreway Transfer Station hours?
The Transfer Station is listed open Monday-Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday-Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Transfer Station rates apply.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Shoreway website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent informational guide. Verify current rules, hours, rates, accepted items and closure notices with RethinkWaste, South Bayside Industries or San Mateo County.
Final Local Summary
For listed free residential recycling and hard-to-recycle items, use the Shoreway Environmental Center Public Recycling Center at 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070. Enter through Gate 1. PRC hours are listed as Monday-Sunday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Bring only accepted PRC items such as batteries, cardboard, cell phones, CFLs, cooking oil, electronics, fluorescent tubes, labeled paint, scrap metal, small appliances, sealed sharps, antifreeze, motor oil and filters. Use the paid Transfer Station for accepted garbage, yard trimmings, C&D debris, clean wood, appliances, tires, sofas and mattresses. Use San Mateo County HHW guidance for hazardous waste that Shoreway does not accept.