Reduce, reuse, recycle: As students move out, keep Berkeley clean

As students move out for the summer, tenants and landlords can help keep our streets clean and safe by planning ahead, using City of Berkeley services, and properly disposing of the items they no longer need.

Dumping mattresses and other items on the sidewalk creates a mess and can be a safety hazard. It is also illegal and punishable with fines up to $500 a day. Properties where chronic illegal dumping has been identified are liable for higher fines. Please use the available mattress collection and recycling options for mattresses and box springs.

Use your building's trash, compost, and recycling bins or other resources below to reuse, recycle, or discard what you don't need.

Plan ahead with prepaid trash bags or extra pickups

Start thinking now about what you will keep and discard. Please don’t wait until the last minute and throw too much in the garbage or on our streets. Take advantage of these City services: 

• Call (510) 981-7270 to request:
  • Extra trash pickup or a short-term dumpster.
  • Free Bulky Waste Pickup for properties of 4 units or smaller.
  • Free mattress curbside pickup for properties 9 units or smaller.
• Visit the Berkeley Transfer Station (1201 Second Street) to:
  • Drop off up to two mattresses, box springs, or futons for free.
  • Purchase up to ten City of Berkeley prepaid bags to dispose of extra trash on pick-up day at your single-family home or 1-4 unit property.
  • Drop off unwanted items or bags of materials for a fee.
  • Recycle up to two electronic items for free.

Find ways to reuse unwanted items

Keep your reusable items out of landfills. Try to find someone to use what you don't need. Don't leave it on a sidewalk. Abandoned furniture and debris on sidewalks or in the public right-of-way can result in citations and fines of up to $500 daily.

• Mattresses, furniture, e-waste, and used bicycles will be accepted during the UC Berkeley Cooperative Reuse program at Clark Kerr Campus from May 22-31, 10 am-5 pm. Donors must be a UC Berkeley student or staff and must bring a Cal ID to donate.
• Check with the Berkeley Food Network or read the RE:Source Guide for ways to donate food items.
• Reuse stores like Urban Ore accept some furniture and household items in good condition. Check their website or call (510) 841-7283 before visiting to confirm they will accept your items and are receiving donations at this time.
• Donate textiles, including clothing, shoes, handbags, backpacks, linens, and bedding at the Textile Recycling Drop Box at the Berkeley Recycling Center for reuse. 

Recycle items that can't be used

For recyclable items that can't be reused, recycle using your building's recycling bins. Use the City’s waste sorting guide to see if an item is recyclable. 

For items that can't be recycled curbside:

• Clothing and household textiles, scrap metal, appliances, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, and cardboard boxes are accepted at the Recycling Center (669 Gilman Street). Most items are accepted free of charge.
• Computers, televisions, microwaves, stereos, and other electronic gadgets are accepted at the ewaste Collective (620 Page Street).
• Paints, solvents, pesticides, and cleaner sprays are hazardous household waste and are accepted at Alameda County Stop Waste Drop-off Sites. The closest drop-off site to Berkeley is in Oakland (2100 East 7th Street).
• The interactive RE:Source tool can quickly help you understand how and where to dispose, recycle, or reuse a wide variety of items, including options not mentioned above. 

Report illegal dumping

We can all play a valuable role in keeping our streets clean and safe. If you see illegal dumping, call 311 or (510) 981-2489 or use the City website to report.

Under the Berkeley Municipal Code, illegal dumping on the right of way adjacent to a private property is that property owner’s responsibility to address. Properties where staff have observed more than three instances of illegal dumping may be subject to higher fines.

Work with nonprofits, don't dump at encampments

Unsolicited donations of furniture, clothing, food, and other materials at encampments may seem like a gesture of goodwill to those in need but can actually create unsafe conditions. 

Know that most nonprofits usually prefer cash donations. Consider calling nonprofits that work in Berkeley to inquire about their need and capacity to accept donations. 

During the summer move-out, tenants and landlords are key to keeping Berkeley's streets clean and safe. Plan ahead, utilize City of Berkeley services, and dispose of items responsibly.

Resources

• Cooperative Reuse: On-campus furniture exchange and recycling program, May 22-31 (UC Berkeley)
• City of Berkeley Trash and Recycling Services: Multifamily (10 units+) and commercial recycling information
• Berkeley Ecology Center: Residential curbside recycling (properties with up to 9 units) information
• Berkeley Recycling Center: Drop off recyclables, including extra cardboard and textiles
• Stop Waste Household Hazardous Waste website
• Check the interactive RE:Source tool for almost any local reuse, repair, recycling and safe disposal options
• Computer and Technology Resource Center: Accepts electronic waste for recycling and gives away refurbished computers to those in need