El Cerrito's aging Recycling Center, established in 1971, was closed and torn down in 2011, replaced by a modern new Recycling and Environmental Resource Center that began operation on April 23, 2012 at the same location at the eastern end of Schmidt Lane, at the foot of an abandoned hillside rock quarry. The center, part of the City of El Cerrito's Environmental Services Division, accepts many kinds of materials for recycling, including mixed paper, cardboard, plastic containers, plastic wrappers, glass bottles, aluminum, tin and scrap metal. Plastic and glass containers should be clean. It also accepts several kinds of hard-to-recycle items, including auto and household batteries, reading glasses, hangers and styrofoam.
The new center also accepts items not just for recycling but also for community reuse – such as tools, toys, CDs and office and school supplies – in addition to books at "Exchange Zone."
Goodwill
The center also hosts a Goodwill Industries trailer that accepts reusable goods, clothes and toys in excellent condition, but not computers, TVs or other large items. The trailer operates daily, 10am - 4:30pm. For more information about what Goodwill accepts, contact 1-888-4GOODWILL or www.eastbaygoodwill.org.