Recycling Centers in San Jose, CA
Find drop-off recycling locations in San Jose, California. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
Find recycling drop-off locations in San Jose, California. This directory lists 2 facilities serving the San Jose area, with details on hours and contact information to help you plan your visit.
Recycling in San Jose: A Local Guide
San Jose, the largest city in Santa Clara County and the Bay Area's southern anchor, is home to two very different recycling operations at opposite ends of the material spectrum. Sims Metal at 1900 Monterey Road is a major scrap metal buying yard serving residents and industrial accounts. GreenWaste Zanker Resource Recovery Facility Site 2 at 675 Los Esteros Road is a construction, demolition, and bulky-item drop-off with per-load fees.
Sims Metal – San Jose accepts all grades of ferrous and non-ferrous metal — copper, aluminum, brass, lead, zinc, nickel, stainless steel, iron, and insulated wire — plus HVAC units, large appliances, junk vehicles (title required), auto parts, and metal office furniture. The yard is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. No appointment is needed. A valid government-issued photo ID is required to be paid for scrap. Sims provides PPE to all visitors. Commercial customers can arrange roll-off containers and forklift bins for jobsite collection.
GreenWaste Zanker Site 2 at 675 Los Esteros Rd accepts C&D debris, drywall, bulky items (furniture, mattresses), foam, tires, and mixed trash from the public, Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 4:45 PM (closed weekends). A $60.00 minimum vehicle charge applies; rates are by volume and vary by material. Hazardous waste, food waste, and pressure-treated wood are not accepted. The facility is also a certified CARE carpet recycling drop-off. For weekend C&D drop-off, Zanker Site 1 at 705 Los Esteros Rd is open Saturday and Sunday and additionally accepts concrete, brush, and soil.
San Jose's curbside recycling program, operated through the city's Environmental Services, picks up bottles, cans, cardboard, and paper at the curb for most residential addresses — no drop-off trip needed for those materials. For e-waste and household hazardous waste (HHW), the city hosts periodic collection events; see sanjoseca.gov/recycling for the current schedule. Nearby cities with recycling resources include Santa Clara, Milpitas (Newby Island Resource Recovery Park), Sunnyvale (SMaRT Station), and Campbell. See the full California recycling directory for more options.
All Recycling Centers in San Jose
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in San Jose
Where can I sell scrap metal in San Jose?
Sims Metal at 1900 Monterey Rd buys all ferrous and non-ferrous metals — copper, aluminum, steel, iron, brass, and more — plus appliances, vehicles, and HVAC equipment. Open Mon–Fri 7 AM–4 PM and Sat 8 AM–12 PM. A government-issued photo ID is required. Call (408) 494-4200.
How much does it cost to drop off construction debris at GreenWaste Zanker in San Jose?
GreenWaste Zanker Site 2 at 675 Los Esteros Rd charges a $60.00 minimum per vehicle, with rates above that billed by volume and material type (approximately $40–$46/cubic yard for most loads as of July 2026). Call (408) 263-2384 for the current rate sheet before arriving.
Can I drop off bottles, cans, and paper at Sims Metal or Zanker in San Jose?
No — Sims Metal is a scrap metal buyer and Zanker Site 2 handles C&D debris and bulky waste. Bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard are collected through San Jose's curbside blue-cart program for most residents. For CRV container drop-off, search CalRecycle's certified redemption center locator.
What recycling facilities are near San Jose in the South Bay?
The SMaRT Station at 301 Carl Rd in Sunnyvale serves multiple cities and is open 7 days a week. Milpitas has the Newby Island Resource Recovery Park at 1601 Dixon Landing Rd. Santa Clara and Campbell also have drop-off and metal recycling options. See the full California directory for details.