Hard-To-Discard Items

Some items really are harder to discard or recycle than others.

Here are some hard-to-discard or recycle items and how to let them go responsibly:

⚠️ = Require special recycling due to the chemical hazard they pose to the environment if not properly handled.

⚠️ Batteries

In San Francisco, batteries can be recycled relatively easily by placing them on top of the trash bin on collection day.

Batteries can also be taken to some local stores (Ace Hardware, Sports Basement, etc.) for recycling.

For safety reasons, it is advised to tape over the contact points of lithium batteries (most button and rechargeable batteries).

Carseats 

Children’s car seats come with an expiration date, which you can check on the back of the seat (6-10 years from the manufacturing date).

The best way to let go of car seats is to pass them along to another family that needs one, either someone you know or through online channels (local Buy Nothing Families groups on Facebook, Craigslist, or Marketplace) when they are still valid. 

If the car seat has expired or otherwise is not in good condition, check out Target’s car seat trade-in recycling program, which often takes place in April and September.

Finally, these can be disposed of by ordering a free Bulky Item Pick Up through Recology.

⚠️ Electronics

Electronic stores that sell electronics, like BestBuy, are required to take back old/broken electronics.

You can also order a free Bulky Item Pick Up through Recology.

Exercise Equipment, Broken/Obsolete

The best way to let go of exercise equipment is to sell them or pass them along to someone who can put them to use before they become obsolete. 

You can still try to offer old exercise equipment through online channels (local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook, Craigslist, etc.) if they work.

For broken equipment, order a free Bulky Item Pick Up through Recology.

Eyeglasses, Prescription

Prescription eyeglasses can be donated at various optical shops, including LensCrafters and Warby Parker, as well as the Lions Eye Foundation.

These locations collect, refurbish, and distribute glasses to people in need.

Furniture, Broken

Furniture isn’t too hard to let go of if it’s in good to excellent condition. You can sell them or offer them for free. 

If you need help relocating bulky and heavy furniture pieces, try Lugg or TaskRabbit.

For broken furniture, order a free Bulky Item Pick Up through Recology.

⚠️ Hazardous Chemicals*

* Paint, paint thinner, varnish, adhesives, car wax, antifreeze, motor oil, rust preventatives, pesticides, weed killers, bleach, oven/drain/carpet cleaners, aerosol sprays, nail polish remover, etc.

Paints and other hazardous chemicals require special recycling and should never be mixed.

Recology picks up hazardous waste for free from San Francisco residents, or materials can be taken to their site.

Instructions on how to request a Hazardous Waste Pick Up service in San Francisco and hazardous waste disposal in other Bay Area counties.

Paints are also collected at some local hardware stores, and Recology gives away free, recycled paint to all!

Completely empty and dry cans can be put into the recycling bin.

⚠️ Ink Cartridges

Ink cartridges can be shipped to a recycling facility for free through a program offered by the manufacturer. Often, a prepaid plastic envelope is included in the package with the new ink cartridge. Check your manufacturer for details.

Ink cartridges are also collected at some local stores like OfficeDepot.

⚠️ Lightbulbs

Fluorescent tube lights and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) that are small, often screw-in options designed to replace incandescent bulbs, require a hazardous waste pick up. 

These, as well as Christmas lights, can be disposed of by ordering a free Bulky Item Pick Up through Recology.

Fluorescent lights can also be taken to some local stores for recycling, for example, Ace Hardware and Lowe’s.

Incandescent light bulbs go in the trash bin (landfill) in San Francisco. 

Mattresses

In California, mattress companies are required to take back old mattresses when you purchase a new one. Take advantage of this service when possible.

Donation centers do not accept used mattresses, even if they are in good condition.

If your item is in good condition, try to sell it or offer it for free on local Buy Nothing groups.

If not, they can be disposed of by ordering a free Bulky Item Pick Up through Recology.

⚠️ Medicine

Put all unwanted medicine in one pill container (it’s okay to mix pills) or a plastic bag. Remove any personal information from the container.

Medicine - pills, creams, and liquids - is collected at pharmacies, police stations, or via mail. 

Needles, syringes, and injectors have separate collections. They are also collected at many pharmacies and police stations that collect sharps, as well as via mail.

Drop-off locations and instructions on how to order the free, pre-paid envelopes can be found at the San Francisco Environment Department website.

Vitamins and supplements can be composted.

Textiles, Stained/Ripped

Textiles are no longer recycled in San Francisco. Textiles that can’t be donated are advised to be put into the trash bin (landfill). 

If you’d like to recycle these locally, some Goodwill locations accept textiles for recycling (mark “textile recycling”), and some clothing stores like H&M have collection bins for textile recycling. 

Alternatively, to send textiles for recycling for a fee, try Ridwell or Trashies.

Toys, Broken

Toys with batteries, motors, or chips should be treated as e-waste (see Electronics above). 

Hasbro has partnered with TerraCycle to take back and recycle its games and toys (including plush toys). For a fee, TerraCycle takes toys from any brand.

To check what goes where, use https://whatbin.com/ to get started.

Please note:

Recycling rules differ from one place to another. Donation locations change as well.

This post was written on 3/20026 and is based on San Francisco, CA.