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Chanticleer Recycling Center

Drive-Thru Recycling Location: 2710 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 95065, click here for map. Last entrance, look for the “Recycle Here” sign.

Hours of operation:  Open every day, Monday – Sunday, 7:30am – 3:30pm
(except closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, and New Year’s Day).

We no longer accept Styrofoam of any kind

E-Waste accepted (working or not) – Drop off at the blue e-waste building, first entrance (pictured below). We accept computers, TVs, electronics and appliances free of charge:

  • Electronics – computers and peripherals, printers, TVs*, monitors, cell phones, audio and video components, amplifiers, speakers (non-particle board), VHS/DVD/CD players, microphones, mixers, etc. NOTE: due to market conditions we may not be able to accept home plastic phones systems and other mostly plastic items.
  • Batteries – We accept lead/acid car batteries, computer backup/UPS, laptop batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. We can not accept household alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt), which may be recycled at O’Reilly Auto Parts (411 May Ave), Outdoor World (136 River St), City of Santa Cruz Public Works, 809 Center St Rm 201, SC Municipal Utilities, 212 Locust St, Louden Nelson Center (301 Center St), Buena Vista Resource Recovery Center (Mon-Sat, 7:30-3:30), and SC Resource Recovery at Dimeo Lane (Mon-Sat, 7:30-3:30).
  • We accept all Non-Ferrous metals – including copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium and zinc, and alloys such as brass.

Drive-Thru Recycling Center – located at the last entrance (look for RECYCLE sign). We accept the following items which correspond to bin locations as you enter our recycling drop off area. Please note we no longer accept paper (e.g. white, colored, mailers, newspaper).

  • Brown and red glass bottles.
  • Green, amber, yellow and blue glass bottles.
  • Clear glass bottles
  • #2 CRV Color Plastic containers, such as laundry detergent jugs (look for number in triangle).
  • #2 CRV Natural Plastic containers, such as milk jugs (look for number in triangle).
  • #1 Plastic CRV bottles – clear bottles (46 oz. or less), look for number in triangle.
  • Paper – White office paper, colored office paper, shredded paper only. No glossy brochures, mailers, magazines, wrapping paper, padded/plastic or Tyvek envelopes, binders, telephone books. Please ask staff for assistance.
  • Aluminum cans – no pet food cans or other aluminum.
  • Scrap aluminum – aluminum lawn chairs, screen doors, siding, aluminum foil and pie plates.
  • Scrap metal – aerosol cans and propane containers, (valves must be removed or 1″ holes drilled in either end), tin cans and pet food cans, old water heaters OK. Gas and oil must be drained in all engines. No hazardous material containers accepted).
  • Books, vinyl and disks – including commercial music CDs and DVDs, VHS commercial movies in good condition only, books on CD or cassette.
  • Thrift Store Donations – Household, office and fabrics, shoes, belts, purses, accessories and more, bins are at our Thrift Store next door. Click here for a list of items we accept at our thrift store.

WE CANNOT ACCEPT: Colored plastic bags, plastic and food containers #1-7, hard plastics (toys, play structures, patio furniture, storage bins, nursery pots, buckets, bottles, tubs and trays, empty plastic motor oil containers); aseptic containers (e.g. soy milk cartons), plastic tarps, wood, tissue paper, paper towels, binders; and non-working (non-Dyson) vacuum cleaners.

The following items should be taken to Buena Vista Landfill / household hazardous materials drop-off: Motor oil, anti-freeze, transmission fluid or any other automotive fluid, hazardous material containers even if drained, toxic materials or liquids, small alkaline batteries, paint or fluorescent bulbs.