City of Berkeley
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Refrigerators are temporarily not accepted at the Transfer Station.

Transfer Station

Transfer Station
Address: 1201 Second Street, Berkeley CA 94710
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Phone: (510) 981-7270
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 8 am - 4:30 pm
Closed: Sundays, New Year’s Day, Independence Day (Fourth of July), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

The City of Berkeley Transfer Station provides easy access for disposal and resource recovery.

Rules for Use of Transfer Station

Please note the below rules for using the Transfer Station:

  • There is no pedestrian access to the Transfer Station. All customers must be inside a vehicle to drop off material or purchase pre-paid refuse and plant debris bags.
  • Secure your load by making sure all materials are totally covered and fastened to prevent spillage. Vehicles with unsecured loads will be charged a $15 fee.

Rates for Disposing of Materials

Current rates for disposing of materials at the Transfer Station are listed below:

  • Refuse, trash, construction & debris
    •  Minimum charge for load of 330 pounds or less: $29.00
    •  Per ton, prorated basis for loads greater than 330 lbs: $126.00
  •  Compostable organic materials
    •  Minimum charge for load of 330 pounds or less: $23.00
    •  Per ton: $67.00
  •  Mixed load of refuse and compostable
    •  If customer separates all compostables
      •  Minimum charge for load of 330 pounds or less: $29.00
      •  Per ton: $126.00
    •  If customer does not separate all compostables 
      •  Minimum charge for load of 330 pounds or less:  $43.50
      •  Per ton: $189.00
  •  Items that require special handling
    •  Refrigerated appliance: $43.00
    •  Mattress or box spring: $14.00
      • California residents can dispose of two mattresses for free, commercial customers pay the standard rate
    •  Automobile tire: $10.00
    •  Truck tire: $15.00
    •  Propane tank: $20.00
    •  TV/monitor/CRT per each item over 2 (1st 2 are free): $9.00
  •  Prepaid refuse and plant debris bags
    •  Prepaid Refuse Bag: $5.73
    •  Prepaid Plant Debris Bag: $2.30

Save money and reduce the amount sent to landfill by dropping materials at reuse or recycling centers:

Compostable organic materials

Please keep organic materials separate from other waste. Loads containing only compostable materials are charged a lower rate than waste for the landfill.

  • Compostable materials include: tree and garden trimmings and unpainted/untreated wood (nails are okay)
  • Not allowed: plywood, particle board, painted or treated wood, drywall, and plastic bags (please empty any plastic bags used to transport debris)
  • No sod or plant debris with excessive dirt - this will be handled and charged as refuse

The Alameda County Plant Debris Landfill Ban requires that any self-haul load (containing at least 10% plant debris) be separated for composting. The "mixed load" that's separated upon delivery by the customer will be weighed and charged at the standard Refuse rate. A customer who does not separate plant debris from refuse will have a surcharge for the load, which is 50% of the refuse rate.

Construction & demolition debris

The Berkeley Transfer Station accepts construction and demolition materials for recycling. Construction and debris material must be loose (no bags) to be accepted for recycling. Accepted materials include:

  • Wood (clean, untreated, unpainted only)
  • Roofing Materials
  • Drywall
  • Tile, Porcelain, Brick
  • Dirt & Rock
  • Concrete
  • Metal
  • Cardboard
  • Rigid Plastics
  • Toilets, Sinks, Bathtubs

Items that require special handling

Some items require special handling and/or have additional fees:

  • Refrigerated appliances (NOTE: The Transfer Station is temporarily unable to accept refrigerators)
  • Mattress or box springs 
  • Automobile tires 
  • Truck tires
  • Propane tanks
  • TV/monitor/CRT
  • Carpet (clean, dry, rolled separately from padding, cut into 4’ sections)
  • Treated Wood Waste (must be kept separate from other materials and placed in a designated bin for disposal)

Bring used motor oil or hydraulic fluid (no brake fluid, solvents, or antifreeze) in 5-gallon or smaller containers. The Transfer Station will pay 16¢ per gallon for up to 20 gallons of oil per customer.

Hazardous and Universal Waste not accepted

The Transfer Station does not accept hazardous waste. Items such as explosives and ammunition are prohibited. For information about disposing of hazardous waste, please see StopWaste.org or call the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at (800) 606-6606.

The Transfer Station also does not accept most Universal Waste. Please ask the attendant for more information.