Recycling Centers in Bakersfield, CA
Find drop-off recycling locations in Bakersfield, California. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
⭐ Top 5 Recycling Centers in Bakersfield
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Bakersfield has 12 recycling centers listed in this directory. Each listing includes the address, phone number, and opening hours where available. Call ahead to confirm accepted materials before making the trip.
Recycling in Bakersfield: A Local Guide
Bakersfield gives residents a two-part recycling system: the City of Bakersfield's curbside blue cart and the 12 buyback yards, scrap dealers and drop-off sites in our California directory. The City's Solid Waste Division accepts a broad mix in the blue cart — cardboard, newspaper, magazines, office paper, junk mail, brown paper bags, aluminum and steel cans, glass in all colors, and rigid plastics #1 through #7 — collected on an even/odd calendar. Keep items clean, dry and loose, never bagged, and leave out household hazardous waste, electronics and polystyrene.
Because California charges a CRV deposit on bottles and cans, Bakersfield has an active buyback scene beside its scrap yards. Certified-style buyback and recycling sites include Jose's Recycling, Rick's Recycling and SOS Recycle Centers; metal goes to Western Scrap & Midway Recycling; shredding and electronics to Shredtronics; and household hazardous waste, paint, oil and e-waste belong at the Kern County Special Waste Facility. Call ahead, since rates, fees and accepted items differ by site.
Looking elsewhere in the southern San Joaquin Valley? Compare recycling centers in Visalia, Porterville, Fresno and Clovis, or see all California listings to check hours and buyback rates nearby.
All Recycling Centers in Bakersfield
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Bakersfield
What can I put in Bakersfield's blue recycling cart?
The City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division accepts cardboard, newspaper, magazines, office paper, junk mail, brown paper bags, aluminum and steel cans, glass in green, brown or clear, and rigid plastic containers #1 through #7. Household hazardous waste, electronics, polystyrene and plastic bags are not accepted. Keep recyclables clean, dry and loose in the cart — not sealed in plastic bags — and roll it out by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
Where can I redeem CRV bottles and cans in Bakersfield?
California pays a California Redemption Value deposit on eligible beverage containers, which you reclaim at buyback centers rather than through the blue cart. Bakersfield options include Jose's Recycling, Rick's Recycling and SOS Recycle Centers. Bring sorted aluminum, glass and plastic, and call ahead for current rates and hours, since some California buyback sites have reduced operations.
Where do I take household hazardous waste or electronics in Bakersfield?
Paint, motor oil, batteries, solvents and e-waste cannot go in the blue cart or regular trash. The Kern County Special Waste Facility on Standard Street handles household hazardous waste and electronics for county residents. For document shredding and some electronics, Shredtronics is another option. Confirm accepted items, limits and any proof-of-residency requirement before you visit.
Why are some California recycling centers closing, and how does it affect Bakersfield?
Many CRV buyback centers across California have closed in recent years due to thin margins, which can make it harder to redeem deposits locally. Bakersfield still has several buyback and scrap sites in our California directory, but hours change, so call first. If no buyback center is open nearby, eligible CRV containers can also be placed in the city blue cart, though you forfeit the deposit refund.