Electronic Wastes can have circuitry that contain toxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc, and nickel that can pollute groundwater and harm public health if not properly managed. Electronic Wastes include: computers, monitors, peripherals, phones, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, microwave ovens, iPods and other electronic devices.

Universal Wastes, such as batteries and fluorescent and LED lights may also contain toxic metals and should never be placed in any of the 3 Recology carts.

CURBSIDE

To dispose of electronic or universal waste through curbside pick up, schedule a Recology Bulky Item Recycling pickup for free if you are a resident of San Francisco. Residents receive 1-2 free pickups per year. Many Goodwill stores also accept working and non-working electronics.

Business Very Small Quantity Generator Program (VSQG)
If your San Francisco-based business generates a small amount of hazardous waste (less than 220 pounds per month, or 27 gallons), you may dispose of it through the Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQG) Program. For more information, click here.

DROP OFF

Drop off electronic waste at the SF Transfer Station.  You can dispose of up to 30 electronic items per month for free if they are delivered without any other type of material. More than 30 items are charged at a rate of $1.50 per piece. If the electronics are mixed with trash, the regular Recology tipping fee applies.

Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescents can be disposed of for free at the SF Transfer Station for up to 30 lamps per month per customer. The fee for over 30 lamps per month is $3.00/lamp.

Request a Special Pick Up
Property managers, electrical lighting contractors and other businesses may want to establish a pick up service with fluorescent lamp recycling companies. See recyclewhere.org for a list of companies that can help.

Burnt out, regular incandescent bulbs are non-recyclable and go in the landfill Recology cart.

Fluorescents Drop off Locations Throughout San Francisco
Fluorescent lamps from residents may be dropped off at neighborhood drop-of sites established by the City. All of these sites only accept fluorescent tubes and compact “curly cue” fluorescent bulbs. For a list of sites, visit recyclewhere.org.