Choose the Correct Shoreway Drop-Off Area Before You Unload
Shoreway Environmental Center is at 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070. The Public Recycling Center currently operates Monday through Sunday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Listed Public Recycling Center materials are accepted free from residential customers. Garbage, furniture, tires, yard debris, construction material and large appliances follow the separate Transfer Station route and may have fees.
Quick Answer for Shoreway Public Recycling Center
Shoreway Public Recycling Center is located at 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos. Enter through Gate 1. Current RethinkWaste information lists the PRC open 8:00 AM–5:00 PM every day, except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Free residential drop-off includes batteries, cardboard, cell phones, CFLs, home-generated cooking oil, consumer electronics, fluorescent tubes within the household limit, labeled latex and oil-based paint, scrap metal, small appliances, sealed sharps, antifreeze, used motor oil and used oil filters.
Public Recycling Center and Transfer Station are not the same service
Both use the same Shoreway campus and Gate 1 entrance, but the rules differ. The PRC handles a limited list of residential materials at no cost. The Transfer Station accepts larger waste streams and charges by cubic yard, ton or individual item.
On this page
Shoreway Environmental Center Public Recycling Center Overview
Shoreway Environmental Center is owned by RethinkWaste, a regional public agency, and operated by South Bay Recycling. The San Carlos campus includes the Public Recycling Center, Transfer Station and Materials Recovery Facility.
Public visitors enter through Gate 1. The best route depends on what is in your vehicle: free residential recyclable or special material, paid solid waste, bulky material, construction debris, green waste, or hazardous material requiring the County program.
Public Recycling Center
Free drop-off for the official list of residential materials.
Transfer Station
Paid disposal for accepted garbage, green waste, C&D debris, appliances, tires, furniture and other non-hazardous material.
County HHW
Use San Mateo County’s HHW program for hazardous household products that Shoreway does not accept.
Shoreway Public Recycling Center Hours
| Day | PRC Hours | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Transfer Station opens earlier on weekdays. |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Sort special items before arrival. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Regular PRC day. |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Check holiday weeks first. |
| Friday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Call for unusual items. |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Weekend traffic may be heavier. |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Current RethinkWaste pages list Sunday PRC service. |
Holiday closures
The Public Recycling Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Temporary operational or safety closures can also occur, so verify the official page before a time-sensitive trip.
Which Shoreway Service Should You Use?
| Your Load | Correct Route | Typical Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Listed residential recycling | Public Recycling Center | Electronics, batteries, cardboard, oil, paint, lights, sharps. |
| Garbage / bulky disposal | Transfer Station | Garbage, sofas, appliances, tires, yard waste. |
| Construction material | Transfer Station | C&D debris, clean lumber, concrete, dirt, asphalt. |
| Unaccepted hazardous waste | San Mateo County HHW | Certain aerosols, propane tanks, solvents, pesticides and reactive products. |
| CRV / cash buyback | Alternate buyback location | California beverage-container redemption. |
Free Residential Items Accepted at Shoreway PRC
The Public Recycling Center accepts the following listed items at no charge from residential customers. Commercial waste should not be brought expecting free PRC service.
| Material | Current Rule | Preparation / Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Household batteries | Accepted | Keep separate; protect terminals where appropriate. |
| Car batteries | Accepted | Transport upright and secure. |
| Cardboard | Accepted | Flatten and keep clean and dry. |
| Cell phones | Accepted | Erase personal data first. |
| CFL bulbs | Accepted | Prevent breakage during transport. |
| Cooking oil | Home-generated only | Up to 15 gallons; sealed container. |
| Electronics | Accepted consumer electronics | Computers, monitors, TVs, VCRs and similar devices. |
| Fluorescent tubes | Household only | Up to 6 tubes, each under 6 feet. |
| Latex / oil-based paint | Accepted | Original labels required; up to 10 gallons. |
| Scrap metal | Accepted | Ask staff about oversized pieces. |
| Small appliances | Accepted | Examples include blenders, toasters and mixers without fuel, batteries or refrigerant. |
| Sharps / needles | Accepted | Must be in a sealed container. |
| Motor antifreeze | Accepted | Up to 10 gallons; do not mix with oil. |
| Used motor oil | Accepted | Up to 15 gallons; keep uncontaminated. |
| Used oil filters | Accepted | Keep separate from other recyclables. |
Items Not Accepted at the Public Recycling Center
The Public Recycling Center is not a general waste disposal site. Current RethinkWaste guidance excludes the following items from the PRC.
Household and bulky items
- Furniture
- Garbage
- Medium and large kitchen appliances
- Sand bags
Plastic and media
- Plastic bags
- Bubble wrap
- Other flimsy plastics
- Styrofoam
- CDs
- VHS tapes
Other exclusions
- Gas cylinders
- Incandescent lights
- Printer / toner cartridges
- Treated wood waste
Do not leave rejected items beside PRC containers
If an item is not accepted at the PRC, use the correct Transfer Station, HHW, retailer or specialty recycling route instead.
Shoreway Buyback Center Remains Closed
RethinkWaste currently states that the buyback portion of the Public Recycling Center remains closed. Do not bring CRV beverage containers expecting cash redemption at Shoreway.
Use an alternate California redemption or buyback location for cash-value containers. The recycling PRC itself remains open for its listed free residential materials.
Electronics, TVs, Computers and Cell Phones
The Shoreway PRC accepts consumer electronics from residential customers at no cost. Current examples include computers, monitors, televisions, VCRs and other consumer electronics. Cell phones are also accepted.
Protect your data before recycling
Back up files, sign out of accounts, remove memory cards and erase personal information from phones, computers and storage devices before drop-off whenever practical.
Related guide: Electronic Recycling Center Guide.
Paint, Cooking Oil, Motor Oil and Antifreeze
| Liquid | PRC Limit | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Latex / oil-based paint | Up to 10 gallons | Keep original labels and lids secure. |
| Home-generated cooking oil | Up to 15 gallons | Use a sealed container; do not mix with motor oil. |
| Used motor oil | Up to 15 gallons | Keep free of antifreeze, gasoline, water and solvents. |
| Motor antifreeze | Up to 10 gallons | Keep separate in a sealed container. |
Never combine automotive fluids
Mixing motor oil, antifreeze, fuel, water or solvents can make the material unsuitable for the normal recycling tank and create a hazardous-waste issue.
Related guide: Used Oil Recycling Center Guide.
Fluorescent Lights, Batteries and Sharps
Fluorescent tubes
Household customers may bring up to six tubes, each under six feet long. Pack them carefully to prevent breakage.
Batteries
Household and car batteries are accepted. Keep batteries separated and protect terminals where appropriate.
Sharps
Needles and sharps must be inside a sealed container. Never bring loose needles to the facility.
Shoreway Transfer Station: Hours and What It Handles
The Transfer Station is the paid route for accepted waste and bulky materials that do not belong in the Public Recycling Center.
| Day | Transfer Station Hours | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 6:00 AM–6:00 PM | Paid solid waste, C&D, green waste and accepted bulky material. |
| Saturday–Sunday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Weekend self-haul disposal. |
Transfer Station accepts
- Household and business solid waste
- Clean green waste and yard trimmings
- Clean wood and raw lumber
- Construction and demolition debris
- Appliances
- Auto, truck and motorcycle tires
- Concrete, asphalt, dirt, rock and similar materials
- Mattresses and box springs under applicable program rules
- Sofas and other accepted bulky material
The Transfer Station does not accept hazardous waste
RethinkWaste lists hot ashes, sealed containers, animal waste, aerosols including spray paint, dead animals, liquid waste or sludge, radioactive or reactive material and hazardous waste among Transfer Station exclusions.
Selected 2026 Shoreway Transfer Station Rates
South Bayside Industries publishes the current public rate schedule effective January 1, 2026. Rates can change, so check the operator’s current page before bringing a paid load.
| Material | 2026 Published Rate | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Solid waste | $72.00 per cubic yard | Published minimum charge: $72.50. |
| Yard trimmings | $64.00 per cubic yard | Published minimum charge: $64.50. |
| Construction debris | $67.00 per cubic yard | Published minimum charge: $67.00. |
| Clean wood / raw lumber | $64.00 per cubic yard | Treated wood follows different rules. |
| Dirt, rock, concrete, sod | $164.03 per ton | Keep inert material separated. |
| Sofa | $30 each | Sectionals charged by section. |
| Washer / dryer / kitchen appliance | $22 each | Large appliances are not free PRC items. |
| Refrigerator with Freon evacuation proof | $33 each | Bring proof of refrigerant removal. |
| Refrigerator without proof | $60 each | Higher published unit rate. |
| Auto tire without rim | $16 each | Different rates apply with rim or for truck/motorcycle tires. |
| Residential mattress | $0 up to 5 per visit | Program eligibility and condition rules still apply. |
Mattress and Box Spring Recycling
Residents can currently recycle up to five mattresses or box springs per visit at no charge through the Shoreway Transfer Station under the California mattress recycling program.
Mattress acceptance is handled through the Transfer Station, not the normal PRC container area. Commercial and non-resident mattress loads use different published charges.
Related guide: Mattress Recycling Center Near Me .
Free Compost at Shoreway
Residents in the RethinkWaste service area can pick up finished compost at Shoreway year-round at no cost. Enter through Gate 1 and follow signs for the Transfer Station.
Proof of residency is required using identification or a utility bill. No appointment is required. The current compost program gives residents a 15-minute weekly loading window, and residents are responsible for loading the compost themselves.
RethinkWaste advises bringing your own shovel and buckets in case facility supplies are unavailable. The resident compost service is not for commercial use.
Household Hazardous Waste That Should Go Elsewhere
Shoreway accepts some special household products—such as qualifying paint, batteries, fluorescent lights, used motor oil and antifreeze—but it is not a full household hazardous waste facility.
San Mateo County provides free HHW appointments for residents for qualifying products such as solvents, pesticides, cleaners and other hazardous household chemicals.
Use the County program when Shoreway does not list your product
Do not bring an unknown, leaking, reactive, pressurized or hazardous product to Shoreway merely because another special material is accepted there. Verify the exact item first.
San Mateo County HHW: 650-372-6200
Related guide: Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Center .
Before-You-Go Shoreway Checklist
Choose PRC or Transfer Station
Use the PRC for listed free residential items and the Transfer Station for paid bulky, garbage, green-waste or construction loads.
Enter through Gate 1
The public entrance for both services is at 333 Shoreway Road.
Check today’s operating window
PRC hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM daily except the published holiday closures.
Separate materials before driving
Keep cardboard, electronics, batteries, paint, oil, antifreeze, fluorescent lights, scrap metal and sharps organized separately.
Secure liquid containers
Transport paint and oils upright with lids tight. Keep motor oil, cooking oil and antifreeze separate.
Seal sharps
Needles must be in a sealed container. Never transport loose sharps.
Erase electronic data
Remove personal information before recycling phones, computers or storage devices.
Check paid-load rates
Transfer Station prices depend on material type, volume, weight or individual unit.
Shoreway Environmental Center Map and Gate 1 Directions
Navigate to 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos, CA 94070. Public vehicles use Gate 1 for both the Public Recycling Center and the Transfer Station.
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. Use Gate 1 for the Public Recycling Center and Transfer Station.
What are Shoreway Public Recycling Center hours?
Current RethinkWaste information lists the Public Recycling Center open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Is Shoreway open Sunday?
Yes. The current official RethinkWaste location and services pages list the Public Recycling Center open Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Is Shoreway Public Recycling Center free?
Its listed PRC materials are accepted free from residential customers. Transfer Station disposal is a separate paid service.
Is the Shoreway buyback center open?
No. RethinkWaste states that the buyback portion of the Public Recycling Center remains closed.
Does Shoreway accept electronics and TVs?
Yes. Consumer electronics including computers, monitors and televisions are listed for free residential PRC drop-off.
Can I bring paint, motor oil or antifreeze?
Yes, within the current household limits. Paint with original labels is accepted up to 10 gallons, motor oil up to 15 gallons and antifreeze up to 10 gallons.
Can I bring sharps or needles?
Yes, but they must be inside a sealed container. Loose needles are not an acceptable drop-off.
Can I drop off a mattress for free?
Residential customers can currently drop off up to five qualifying mattresses or box springs per visit at no charge through the Transfer Station program.
Where should I take hazardous waste Shoreway does not accept?
Use the San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste program and verify whether an appointment is required for your material.
Official Sources and Verification
- RethinkWaste — Shoreway Location, Hours & Services
- RethinkWaste — Shoreway Services
- South Bayside Industries — 2026 Transfer Station Rates
- RethinkWaste — Mattress Recycling
- RethinkWaste — Free Compost Program
- San Mateo County — Household Hazardous Waste Program
Shoreway Environmental Center: 650-802-8355
RethinkWaste: 650-802-3500
San Mateo County HHW: 650-372-6200