In addition to packaging that’s not recyclable, here are some great examples of other things that you cannot place in your recycling or organics carts at home but you can take back locally:
Mattresses can be taken back to local facilities for recycling. Please visit the California program page at ByeByeMattress.com for more information. To learn more about other options for old mattresses, visit cvsan.org/MattressRecycling.
Medications / Pharmaceuticals: Please visit CVSan's Pharmaceuticals page for Castro Valley drop-off locations and more program information.
Metal Hangers: Some local dry cleaners will take back metal clothes hangers for reuse. Hangers should never go in the recycling since they jam-up and break recycling sorting machinery. Please check with individual dry-cleaning businesses for more details.
Packaging presents a big problem in the Zero Waste industry. As much as half of all packaging materials are not recycled in the U.S. and, when it comes to plastic packaging, that number drops to 9%. Some packaging materials like cardboard boxes are easily reusable. Some packaging materials like bubble wrap and air pillows are recyclable in CVSan's bag-a-bag recycling program. Other things, like those packing peanuts which cannot be recycled in our blue carts or bins, can be taken back to “mail centers”. Two local mail centers are listed below. Please call the business before visiting to confirm they are still accepting packing peanuts.
Paint (and coatings, primers, stains, etc): locally, you can take any of the following to Kelly Moore at 3090 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley. Interior and exterior architectural paint sold in containers of 5 gallons or less including latex, acrylic, water-based, oil-based, enamel, deck coatings, primers, sealers, stains, shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, swimming pool paints, metal coatings, and rust preventatives. Up to ten gallons per customer per day accepted. Both new and old paint can be dropped off, even if it is over 20 years old. Residents, trade painters, contractors, and businesses (that produce less than 27 gallons of hazardous waste per month) are eligible to participate (these materials are hazardous and cannot go in recycling, organics, or garbage at the curb). Find out more about this program, known as PaintCare.
Propane Cylinders: Refuel Your Fun is a take-back program to recycle and dispose of empty/used propane containers properly. Find out more about the program, the option for reusable cylinders (which save you money) and where you can drop off your used propane containers .
Sharps / Needles are hazardous and cannot go in recycling, organics, or garbage at the curb. Please visit CVSan's Pharmaceuticals page for more details on sharps.
Thermostats (with mercury): For wall mounted, mercury-switch thermostats, please recycle the entire thermostat and do not remove the mercury switch or cover . These are hazardous and cannot go in recycling, organics, or garbage at the curb. You can take these to CVSan offices at 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley during our operating hours of 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. If you have mercury switches that have been removed from thermostats, contact the Thermostat Recycling Corporation at thermostat-recycle.org or (888) 266-0550 for further guidance and more information on the program.
Used Motor Oil (and other fluids): Used motor oil and filters should not go in recycling, organics, or garbage at the curb. Read for information on CVSan's Used Motor Oil and Filter Recycling program.
Other Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): This includes electronic and chemical waste which should not go in the recycling, organics or garbage at the curb. Find take back information on CVSan's HHW page.
Packaging mail-in programs: Some take back programs are available with a mail-in option.
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