Resources for Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling
In our work as professional organizers, we always try to reuse and recycle instead of disposing. To that end, Andy has compiled a list of resources to help our clients simplify, reduce, reuse, recycle, and sell unwanted items. However, since this information will be valuable to anybody, we are providing it as a public service. The more we can reduce, reuse, and recycle, the better for everyone. Reuse, especially, uses less resources and less energy, saves money, and reduces our impact on the environment. Please pass this information on to anyone who can use it. Note: It has always been a bad idea to throw items containing toxic substances in the trash, but as of February 8th, 2006, it is now illegal. Products affected by the California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act include batteries, fluorescent lights, televisions, computers and monitors, printers, VCRs, telephones, answering machines, radios, stereo equipment, calculators, and cell phones. It is against state law to put any of these items in the trash. See below for ways to reuse or recycle (or, failing everything else, properly dispose of) these items.
Reducing Junk Mail
Here are several sites that can help you reduce the amount of junk mail you receive. Start with the Direct Marketing Association. and continue with The Center for a New American Dream or Global Stewards.Free Boxes
Most stores get hundreds of boxes, every week, that they break down immediately and put in recycling (hopefully). Meanwhile, people who are moving or organizing go out and buy boxes! Well, Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco has the right idea! They put their boxes in a large bin at the front of the store. Anyone who needs them can take their pick. Every few days they do break down the boxes, since they accumulate more than people take, so if you are unlucky to get there after they have done this, the bin may be empty, however, usually it is filled with hundreds of usable boxes of all shapes and sizes. An extremely useful resource!You can often get reused boxes at Trader Joe's as well. And because TJ's sells so much wine, you can get wine boxes with dividers that make excellent glass packers!
If you know of other places in the bay area that do this, please let me know. UsedCardboardBoxes.com lists places nationwide, but there are none in the bay area.
General Reuse and Recycling Information
If you live in Berkeley or Albany, get a copy of the "Berkeley/Albany Reuse Directory: Where to Buy, Sell, Rent, Repair, and Donate Reusable Goods." Request copies by calling (510) 981-6903 or by sending email to reuse@ci.berkeley.ca.us. The Berkeley Information Network (BIN) provides information on over 3500 local organizations that accept donated materials.Rummaging through Northern California is a free bi-monthly newspaper promoting resale, surplus and salvage in the San Francisco area.
How and Where to Recycle in Alameda County, San Francisco (SF dropoff locations), Marin County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County (408) 924-5453, Contra Costa County (800) 750-4096, Sonoma County. In addition to the county resources (above), many cities provide information and services also. Stanford Recycling Center. The City of Santa Clara's Reference Guide to Donations (PDF). Oakland Recycles provides an extensive Reuse Directory. Berkeley Recycling and Curbside Service. The Berkeley Ecology Center, a fabulous source of recycling information, is located at 2530 San Pablo Avenue, 510-548-2220.
Earth 911 is a great source of recycling information, both nationwide and locally.
Internet Resources
Used HQ has many used products for sale, and of course, there is always eBay for shippable items. You can also post or subscribe to the FreeCycle Network in your area.Locally, the online user's community known as Craig's List has bulletin boards for selling, buying, or bartering items. Another local resource is the Bay Area FreeCycle Network.
Stuff Ya' Don't Want is a nationwide list of resources for donating items to places that can use them. ExcessAccess, redo.org, and the Cole Hardware Community Exchange are websites that match donations with non-profit organizations that can use them.
Reuse Organizations
Scroungers' Center for Re-Usable Art Parts (SCRAP), in San Francisco, is a wonderful place. You can go there to get really inexpensive office supplies (hanging folders, paper, envelopes, pens, etc), arts/crafts supplies, and a huge variety of other things. You can even get binders and hanging folders for free. Anything you pay can be used as a tax writeoff. You can also donate many different materials. The following used and leftover materials are in demand:
Leather Plastic and Mylar Banners and flags Rubber scraps Wood and trim Plexiglass Textiles (fabric, yarn, millends, over runs, pattern samples) Paper (mural paper, misprints and millends) Art supplies (felt pens, non-toxic paints, art brushes, matte board, poster board, foam core, drafting tables) Flooring (tile, carpet) Feathers Wire Candles and wax Buttons Beads and decorative parts The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse (similar to SCRAP but not as big), in Berkeley, is another good source of inexpensive supplies. It also accepts fabric, arts and craft materials, office and school supplies, household items, and building materials.
The Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT), in San Jose, accepts a variety of donations and makes the material available to teachers, non-profits, and licensed child care providers.
Reuse Organizations' Profiles. This is an excellent link that lists many organizations from all over the country that accept many different kinds of materials.
Garage Sale Tips
If you think a garage or yard sale would be good way to unload some things and make some extra money, this garage sale checklist will help you prepare. The article "Putting on a Better Garage Sale" also gives a lot of useful information.Charities
You can always try Goodwill Industries (888-466-3945) or the Salvation Army, but we have had such bad experiences with the Salvation Army that we will never contact them again. We recommend finding a local, smaller charity. Below are some suggestions.Our favorite charity is Out of the Closet. We have used them countless times and have always been happy with their staff, their stores, and their mission. They contribute the proceeds to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. They have several locations in San Francisco (9th and Folsom, Church and Duboce, Polk and California, Mission and 20th) and one in Berkeley (University and California).
Andy found the people at Miracle Ministries to be dependable and courteous. They also make excellent use of the donations they receive. Miracle Ministries Recovery & Transitional Homes, PO Box 7151, Oakland, CA 94601, 510.967.7112
The Emeryville Community Action Program (ECAP) is a food pantry, supplier of clothing, furniture and other household items to the needy. Their staff is totally volunteer, and they depend entirely upon donations in order to distribute food, clothing, appliances, mattresses, toys, furniture, and other household goods to the needy all over the bay area. Their Brochure (PDF format, 80K). Emeryville Community Action Program, 3610 San Pablo Ave., Emeryville, CA 94608, 510-652-8422.
Community Assistance for the Retarded and Handicapped, Inc. (CARH) will do pickups for large donations. 510-758-1441 or (800) 660-6426.
The San Francisco Rescue Mission accepts donations of Cars, Real Estate, Jewelery, Music Equipment/Instruments, Computers, and Clothing. To make donations, please call 415-292-1770.
St. Vincent de Paul. On their website, click "Giving Help" for information about donations.
Where to Recycle, Donate or Sell Specific Items:
Antiques
Most antique stores will do on-site appraisals. One antique dealer whom I've met is Jim Bay, who can be reached in San Francisco at (415) 621-4390.Appliances: Refrigerators, Dishwashers,
Clothes Washers
Small, working appliances can be donated to most charities or thrift shops.Refrigerators: For PG&E customers, JACO Environmental will remove any refrigerator greater than 10 cubic feet for free. Call (800) 299-7573 for more information or to schedule a pickup. See also this Refrigerator Recycling Fact Sheet. Low-income households may qualify for PG&E's Energy Partners program. If so, PG&E will remove an older refrigerator and replace it with a newer energy-efficient one for free.
For other major appliances, like dishwashers and clothes washers, PG&E offers rebates on new energy-efficient ones. Rebates range from $35 to $75 depending on the appliance. Call the Smarter Energy Line at (800) 933-9555. Note that you still will need to remove the older appliance yourself, and this can be a challenge. Through a partnership with PG&E, JACO Environmental will remove older appliances for a fee of only $20. Call (800) 299-7573 for more information or to schedule a pickup.
Newer appliances (4 years or less) may be donated to Rebuilding Together, East Bay Habitat for Humanity or Out of the Closet (call to confirm). Out of the Closet may even pick up, depending on the appliance.
Casebar Washers and Dryers will pickup or buy certain models of washers and dryers. Call (510) 548-4419 with the specific make and model to see if he's interested.
Failing everything else, you can arrange with your local refuse company to do a pickup of bulky items up to twice a year. You do, however, need to get the appliance out to the street at the scheduled time.
Art Supplies
See the description of SCRAP, the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, and RAFT under Reuse Organizations.Also, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula accept art supplies for their projects. Call (650) 322-8065 to see if they can use your offering and find out where to drop off.
Batteries
Household batteries contain more than 20 toxic substances (including lead, mercury,
cadmium, nickel, chromium, lithium, copper, manganese, silver, selenium, and
corrosive acids). In landfills, heavy metals can leach into the soil and contaminate
the groundwater. Over-exposure to these elements can cause a myriad of health
problems, including damage to the brain, kidneys and other major organs, as well as
contributing to birth defects.You can take used household batteries to Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco and all Walgreen's stores. See this complete list of places in San Francisco that accept batteries for recycling. Rechargeable batteries can be taken to any Radio Shack, and many Office Depot or Verizon Wireless Stores. For a complete list of places that accept rechargeable batteries, see the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation or call 1-800-8-BATTERY.
Car batteries can be recycled for free at Kragen Auto Parts.
Books
Almost any used bookstore will buy used books (look in the phone book), but here are my favorites.
- Moe's Bookstore, Berkeley. If Moe's can't use your books, they can arrange to donate them to the prison book project.
- Green Apple Books, San Francisco
- Black Oak Books, in Berkeley and San Francisco
Extensive list of used bookstores in Oakland.
The Books for the Barrios Project accepts donations of books, crayons, pencils, etc, and sends them to schools in small villages in the Philippines.
The Children's Book Project is always looking for donations of new and gently used children's books. They distribute them to teachers and schools. Since we're spending so much money on war, there have been huge cutbacks to school budgets, and many schools aren't able to buy books.
The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library accepts book donations, sells them at their 2 stores, and all the proceeds go to the library.
AdoptALibrary.org is dedicated to keeping books out of landfill and getting them to libraries and other organizations that can use them.
There are a number of specialty bookstores where you can sell or donate books on a particular topic, for example William Stout Architecture Books.
If the books are not in good enough condition to be reused, they can be recycled. Paperback books can be placed in mixed paper recycling. In San Francisco County, you can remove the bindings of hardcover books and placed the unbound paper in mixed paper recycling. Not so in Alameda County, where you have to take the hardcover books to one of the following book recyclers:
- California Waste Solutions, 10th St., 510-836-6200
- EB Resources, 510-419-0294
- Shred Works, 510-729-7110
Cameras
Many stores that buy, sell and trade used cameras and photographic equipment in Oakland.Cell Phones
"Some 550 million used mobile phones in the U.S. are waiting to go into landfills. Only about 1 percent of what is out there is being collected and recycled right now, and the environmental consequences of hundreds of millions of phones going into the garbage can rather than being recycled are severe -- hundreds of thousands of tons of toxic waste (mobile phones contain lead, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, arsenic, and much more) are threatening our food and water supplies." Source: Collective Good. Every year, 100 million cell phones are retired. That's about 2 million a week!This nationwide site can help you find a location for cell phone and computer recycling in your area.
Donate your old cell phone to Collective Good (the drop-off can be done at any Staples Office Supply Store) and the proceeds will be donated to the charity of your choice.
Recycle for Breast Cancer is no-cost, national recycling program that serves in two ways. It recycles cell phones, ink cartridges, digital camers, PDA's and other items and the proceeds go to breast cancer research. Keep these items out of landfills and support a great cause!
The Wireless Foundation has collection centers all over the country, including San Francisco, Concord, Pleasanton, Palo Alto, and San Jose. Your can also mail the phone to "CALL TO PROTECT," 2555 Bishop Circle West, Dexter, MI 48130-1563. They will refurbish the cell phones and provide them to victims of domestic violence.
The Sisters of the Good Shephard have 5 collection points in San Francisco and one in Burlingame for cell phone recycling. The cell phones will be refurbished and sent to family shelters and similar organizations within the United States. All cell phones are accepted. Donors are asked to attach the battery or charger if they have them.
Cellular Cycle in Fremont receives donations of cell phones, and donates all proceeds to charity. You can drop off or mail cell phones to them. See also WirelessRecycling.com
You can also mail cell phones to:
Prime Traders Against International Hunger
c/o Ernie Gonzaga
16005 Mateo St., Suite C, San Leandro, CA 94578Stand Against Domestic Violence operates a thrift store and a shelter for battered women. They accept cell phone donations at 1720 Linda Drive in Pleasant Hill. 925-602-0575.
All Radio Shack stores will accept cell phone donations. Many Verizon Wireless stores also have bins where you can deposit old cell phones with battery and charger, and they will be distributed to charities.
Clothes, Linens, Fabric
Crossroads Trading Company and Buffalo Exchange will buy good quality clothing, although I've found that these stores are so incredibly particular about what they will take that it's usually not worth the effort (unless you're into hip, trendy clothing). This website lists stores that buy vintage clothing, and Kitty Girl Vintage buys women's clothing only.Two great charities to which you can donate business clothes are Wardrobe for Opportunity (women's clothing only) and A Miner Miracle (both men's and women's clothing). These organizations provide people transitioning out of homelessness with clothing appropriate for interviews and other professional contacts.
Most charities will accept donations of clothing.
There are also large green drop boxes that you can drop bags of clothing and shoes into at any time. These boxes (see picture) are provided by an organization called Campus California TG. I've seen them in Alameda County and Sacramento. To see if there's a drop box near you, call 510-932-3839 or send email.
You can make a tax-deductible donation of fabric and material to SCRAP (see Reuse Organizations, above).
And finally, sheets, blankets, linens, or other fabrics that are too worn out to be donated can be dropped off at the San Francisco SPCA (or probably any other SPCA) to contribute to the comfort of their animals. In San Francisco, the drop off location is inside the Spay/Neuter clinic at 2500 16th Street (between Harrison and Bryant). For more information, call (415) 554-3000.
Computers,
Computer Monitors,
Computer Peripherals
It's estimated that 2 million computers go into landfill each day! To see why recycling is important, see the article "Exporting Harm: The Techno-Trashing of Asia," "Where Computers Go To Die" or this other article of the same name.Start Here: Computer Recycling and Reuse Directory, Where to Donate Used Computers and Electronics in the Bay Area, Computer Recycling in California, or City of San Francisco Computer Directory.
For Macintosh computers, try the Happy Mac, San Francisco, 415-337-4090.
The Alameda County Computer Resource Center (ACCRC) is a nonprofit organization that diverts technological and hazardous waste from landfills. They accept donations of working and non-working computer equipment, phones, and other electronics. Tax-deductible receipts are provided with each donation. They charge a handling fee for some items. Call (510) 434-1325 for details.
Oakland Technology Exchange West accepts working Windows-based computers (386 and above) only.
Computer Recycling Center. Run mainly by volunteers, they have pickup times in Santa Rosa, Santa Clara (408-327-1800), and San Francisco (415-342-2244). Computers are lent out to schools and community non-profits, and the organization provides maintenance as needed to keep the machines in good working condition. The group does ofter to pick-up donations from consumers who give them advanced notice. They charge a handling fee for some items.
The National Christina Foundation (203-863-9100) places donated computers with non-profit agencies that help the disabled or economically disadvantaged. The NCF will match your donation with a local group. Tax receipts are available. You can arrange a pickups via phone or email to ncf@cristina.org.
Computers For Schools (800-939-6000) has grown from a small Southern California non-profit to one of the largest computer refurbishers for schools. Pickups can be arranged, depending on your location. Email should be addressed to willie@pcsforschools.org.
C.U.R.A. accepts donated computers in Fremont, 510-713-3200. You can also contact public schools in your area, as many of them will accept old (but working) computer equipment.
North Bay: Renew Computers in San Rafael, 415-457-8801, receives computers, but there is a fee for anything older than 5 years.
South Bay: Bay Surplus in San Jose, 408-298-9909. Bay Area Computerman, San Jose, 408-249-4821. Wierd Stuff Warehouse, Sunnyvale, 408-743-5650.
More suggestions. Even if the computer no longer works, you can still recycle the CPU at Sims Metal. They will even pay you for it, but only a few cents per pound. They have locations in Hayward 510-471-6600, Richmond 510-412-5300, and San Jose 408-494-4200.
If you are a San Francisco resident, you currently have several options for computer (and other electronic waste) disposal. Computers are accepted for recycling in the Bulky Item Collection program offered through your garbage company. This program is free and available for residents 2 times per year by appointment only. Call (415) 330-1300 to make an appointment.
Unwanted computers can also be dropped off for a small fee at Sanitary Fill Company, located at 501 Tunnel Avenue in San Francisco. They are open Mon-Fri 7-6 and Sat-Sun, 8-4. For more information or directions call (415) 330-1400.
Other computer recyclers as well as charitable organizations that accept donations may also take your unwanted computers. To receive a free Commercial Reuse and Recycling Directory listing all local computer recyclers or donation centers, please call the San Francisco Recycling Program at (415) 554-3400.
This nationwide site can help you find a location for cell phone and computer recycling in your area.
Eyeglasses
The Lions in Sight Foundation is happy to receive donations of eyeglasses that they pass on to those in need. New Eyes to the Needy accepts eyeglass as well as hearing aids.Food
Collection bins are located at Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco, the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace, and California Federal Banks in Berkeley. Large donations can be made at the warehouse of the San Francisco Food Bank, at 900 Pennsylvania Avenue (at 23rd), or the Alameda County Community Food Bank in Oakland.Furniture
Most charities will accept furniture, but Uhuru House in Oakland specializes in furniture (solid wood only—no particle board). 3742 Grand Avenue, (510) 763-3342.Light Bulbs
Fluorescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and California law prohibits putting them in the trash. More Info. Many hardware stores will accept them for recycling. Here's a complete list of places in San Francisco.Incandescent light bulbs contain lead at levels that exceed hazardous waste limits and must be taken to a toxic disposal facility. Incidentally, more than 90% of the energy produced by incandescent lamps is heat, not light, and this makes them far less efficient than compact fluorescent bulbs. In addition, fluorescents typically last 10 times longer. Currently, some power plants burn fossil fuels to create electricity, so the process of creating electricity release carbon dioxide and mercury into the environment. Even though fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, incandescent bulbs are responsibile for releasing more mercury into the environment. Source.
Magazines
The Berkeley Public Library will often accept magazine donations, but call (510) 981-6144 first to confirm. San Francisco General and other hospitals are grateful to get donations of magazines for their patients and waiting rooms. You can usually drop them off at the front desk. SF Veterans Administration Medical Center accepts donations of books in good condition and recent (in the last year) magazines. Children's Hospital in Oakland, (510) 428-3471, is especially interested in spanish-language periodicals and magazines oriented toward children and teens.Mattresses and Box Springs
In most cases, mattresses and box springs must be in excellent condition in order for them to be reused. Here's a list of places that accept mattress donations. The only other option would be to arrange a bulky item pickup from your municipality. There may be a fee charged.Medications
Return expired or unused prescription medications to your pharmacy.Medical Equipment
Home Cares Equipment Recyclers accepts donations of usable in-home medical equipment and supplies and makes them available at no cost to individuals in need of these resources. They have locations in San Francisco (415) 487-5405, Oakland (510) 251-2273), Fremont (510) 574-2041, and Marin (415) 388-8198. Call for drop-off times and specific locations.The CALL Primrose Center in Burlingame accepts wheelchairs, canes, portable toilets, and shower chairs (650) 342-2255.
Music
Almost any used music store will buy used CD's (look in the phone book). Specifically, you might try Amoeba Music (San Francisco and Berkeley) or Rasputin Records (seven Bay Area locations).The Groove Yard specializes in soul, blues and world music LPs. The owner, Rick, is "always buying," and will make house calls. 5555 Claremont Ave. in Oakland. (510) 655-8400.
Musical Instruments
Music in Schools Today accepts donations at 5 locations and provides them to needy young musicians. Oakland Unified School District, (510) 879-8116. UC Berkeley Young Musicians Program (510) 642-2686.Real Guitars (San Francisco) (415) 552-3310 and Ifshin Violins (Berkeley) (510) 843-5466 will buy guitars and string instruments, respectively.
Packing Materials
Styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap, and most packing materials will be accepted by any UPS Store. Bubble wrap can also be placed in the plastic bag recycling bins found as most major supermarkets, but it's always better to reuse than to recycle.Or, to find a local business that will reuse your packing peanuts, call the Peanut Hotline at (800) 828-2214.
Paint
Latex paint can be picked up at any San Francisco resident's home for free, and Latex paint can be dropped off at any of these locations. Non-latex paint must be taken to a toxic disposal facility.Soap, Shampoo, Cosmetics
Working Essentials was founded in 1996 with the mission of eliminating one of the main barriers to employment for people who are homeless. By providing items such as shampoo, soap, datebooks and haircut vouchers, Working Essentials helps people look more presentable and feel more confident greatly increasing their ability to secure and maintain employment. They have 9 drop off sites in San Francisco. It's a great place to donate samples and the soap and shampoo that many people pick up during hotel stays.Building Futures for Women and Children, San Leandro
La Casa de las Madres, San Francisco
Compass Community Services, San Francisco
Homeless Prenatal Program, San FranciscoShopping Bags
The best thing to do with shopping bags is to take them back to the store on your next trip and reuse them. You can use the same bag for months! Most supermarkets will give you a 5 cent bag credit for each one you reuse. If a bag gets punctured or is otherwise unusable, it can be placed in the plastic bag recycling bins found in most supermarkets.Ireland mandated a 15 cent charge for each plastic bag used. When they did this, some merchants reported a 97% drop in plastic bag usage. We support efforts to impose a fee in this country also, because when bags are free, people consume them carelessly. We've all seen the baggers at Safeway use 12 bags to bag 6 items. See this article for more information.
We support legislation to impose a fee for plastic bag use. Many people do not reuse or recycle unless given a financial incentive for doing so, and free plastic shopping bags are taken for granted. This article describes a proposed plastic bag fee program in San Francisco.
Sporting Goods
Sports4Kids Swap Shop (Berkeley) resells donated sporting equipment and uses the proceeds to benefit school sports programs. (510) 868-1591.Also, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula accept sporting goods for their activities. Call (650) 322-8065 to see if they can use your offering and find out where to drop off.
Wilderness Exchange (Berkeley) specializes in camping, climbing, and outdoor equipment, but in addition to the stuff they normally sell, they also host bi-yearly swap meets, where any kind of sports equipment can be sold or bought. The swap meets usually take place at the end of winter and at the end of summer.
Play It Again Sports will buy some used sports equipment, but they are extremely selective about what they buy. Their stores usually contain more than 50% new products, so reuse is apparently less important to them. The have locations in Fremont, Mountain View, Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, and San Jose.
Another site for Used Sports Equipment, and here is a list of on line auctions for buying or selling used sports equipment.
Styrofoam
For styrofoam peanuts, please see Packing Materials, above. For block styrofoam, first call one of the general reuse organizations listed below, because reusing saves much more energy and resources than recycling does. Failing that, you can also drop off clean #6 EPS, this is the white, hard, brittle styrofoam that is used in packing computer and stereo equipment at 1528 Atlantic Street, Union City, CA. Call in advance at 510-489-0881. You must drop off during their business hours (M–F, 8-3). FP International in Redwood City no longer accepts loose styrofoam for recycling.Or to save yourself the gas and time to drive there, you can mail it 4th class to the address above. Because #6 EPS is so light, this normally costs about $2/box.
Televisions
The Alameda County Computer Resource Center accepts televisions, working or not in most cases. Call them in advance to confirm. Another possibility is to take them to your local toxic disposal facility. At either place, you may be charged a fee.Tires
See this list of Tire RecyclersTools
The Tool Lending Center in San Francisco accepts donations of tools. Call 415-330-9999 for more information. They are located at 1016 Howard Street, between 6th and 7th.Oakland's Temescal Tool Lending Library is located at the Temescal branch at 5205 Telegraph Avenue (at Claremont).
Berkeley also has a Tool Lending Library, located at 1901 Russell (at MLK). 510-981-6101
Toxic Wastes, Household Cleaners
It's easy to get more information on hazardous waste disposal. Click on the county name, or call the number: San Francisco County (415) 554-4333. Alameda County (800) 606-6606. Marin County. San Mateo County (650) 363-4607. Sonoma County.Wigs
The Wig Source is part of the John Muir Medical Center. They accept wigs (not costume wigs—realistic-looking ones only) and provide them to people with hair loss as a result of medical treatments. This service is provided regardless of where treatment is being received. 1656 N. California Blvd., Walnut Creek, (925) 947-5328.Building Materials, Hardware, Industrial Materials
San Francisco
East Bay
Building Resources
Highly Recommended!
701 Amador St (close to 3rd and Evans)
San Francisco
415-285-7814
Daily 9-4:30pmThis & That
The largest industrial reuse place.
1701 Rumrill Blvd
Richmond, CA 94806-4306
(510) 232-1273
M-S 8-5Caldwells
195 Bayshore Blvd., San Francisco
415-550-6777
Mon-Fri 8-4:30pm, Sat 9-4:30pmUrban Ore, Inc.
900 Murray Street (near 7th and Ashby)
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 232-7724, fax: (510) 548-0113
Open until 7pm everyday.For Recycling of Ferrous Metals:
Circosta Iron & Metal
1801 Evans at Rankin, San Francisco.
M-F 8-11:45, 12:30-4, Sat 8-11:45. Ferrous metals recycling.Omega Salvage
2407 San Pablo Ave. (at Channing), Berkeley
(510) 843-7368
Mon-Sat 9-5pm, Sun 12-5pmOther:
The California Materials Exchange is a statewide resource. You can subscribe to their listserve to receive information about items that are available, or post a listing. Gilman Salvage
808 Gilman St (at 6th), Berkeley
(510) 524-5500
9-5:30 everydayBeyond Waste
Santa Rosa, CotatiThe Reuse People
2100 Ferry Point, Alameda
(510) 522-2722CocoMax (Contra Costa County) Materials Exchange
The Yard
Specializes in recycling wood and trees.
2201 Wake Ave, Oakland
(510) 834-8257Whole House Building Supply and Salvage
1955 Pulgas Ave, East Palo Alto
(650) 856-0634
M-F: 10-6, Sat: 8-6, Sun: 11-4East Bay Habitat for Humanity
9235 San Leandro St, Oakland
(510) 777-1447
Mon-Sat: 9-5Additional Information
If you have a question that is not answered in this page or by these links, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to try to answer it. Also, if you have additional information you feel should be included here, please let me know.Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to keep this page accurate, due to the huge amount of information presented here, it is possible that some of it may become out of date or otherwise incorrect. If you see information that is inaccurate, feel free to let me know.
