Electronics recycling in San Diego County
CalRecycle's 'Wastes Banned From the Trash' page lists fluorescent lamps/tubes, all batteries (incl. car batteries), and electronic devices as banned from the trash, recycling, or organics bin.
The rules of 17 San Diego County jurisdictions say where electronics go, and 15 sites in the records take them; both are below.
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov · republicservices.com · republicservices.com · byebyemattress.com · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · imperialbeachca.gov · coronado.ca.us · sandiegocounty.gov · cityofsanteeca.gov · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · escondido.gov · escondido.gov · delmar.ca.us · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · cityoflamesa.gov · cityoflamesa.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · lemongrove.ca.gov · poway.org · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · poway.org · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · sanmarcosca.gov · vista.gov · carlsbadca.gov
What each city's rules say
| Jurisdiction | Its rules on electronics | Sites its rules name |
|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | E-waste ('anything with a plug') accepted free at Republic's Recycling Buyback Center at Palomar Transfer Station, 5960 El Camino Real (Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–4 p.m., proof of residency); free e-waste pickup by calling Republic at 760-332-6464; e-waste also counts as a bulky item. | Palomar Transfer Station; Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Del Mar | All types of e-waste accepted at the Poway, Vista, or Escondido HHW facilities for Del Mar residents. | City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Escondido HHW Facility (Escondido Disposal) |
| El Cajon | CRTs accepted free at EDCO's HHW drop-off, 950 O'Connor St, El Cajon (Saturdays, appointment only via online booking, lmhhw@edcodisposal.com or (619) 287-5696 ext. 4270). Televisions are listed among items EDCO takes in its free bulky pickup. EDCO refers residents to 877-R-1-EARTH / WasteFreeSD.org for other e-waste. | El Cajon Permanent HHW Collection Facility (O'Connor St) |
| Encinitas | EDCO accepts e-waste (monitors, CPUs, laptops, printers, scanners, fax machines, VCRs, radios, cell phones) free at EDCO facilities during operating hours; e-waste also accepted at the regional HHW facilities. | City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Escondido | E-waste is free for City residents at the HHW facilities in Escondido, Vista and Poway; limit five CRT units per customer, no limit on non-CRT items. City also lists free E-Waste & Shred events (June 6 and Oct 10, 2026, Emmanuel Faith Community Church, 639 E 17th Ave). | Escondido HHW Facility (Escondido Disposal); Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Imperial Beach | EDCO's bulky pickup accepts one television or computer monitor. | South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| La Mesa | EDCO Station, 8184 Commercial St, accepts electronics, batteries, sharps, cooking oil and CRV without an appointment; e-waste also accepted at the City's HHW events (limit five monitors/TVs). | EDCO Station – La Mesa |
| Lemon Grove | Free drop-off of electronics (residents and businesses), batteries and sharps at EDCO, 6700 Federal Blvd. | EDCO Recycling Buyback Center – Lemon Grove |
| National City | City directs residents to www.wastefreesd.org for e-waste recycling options; EDCO's bulky pickup accepts one television or computer monitor. | South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Oceanside | E-waste is collected curbside as part of WM's free Large Item Landfill pickups (up to five items, five times a year). | — |
| Poway | Poway HHW Collection Facility accepts electronics (TV, monitor, CPU, etc.) free for residents, Saturdays 9–3. | City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Ramona Transfer Station (Ramona Disposal Service) |
| San Diego | Miramar Landfill refuses CRTs, TVs, e-waste and universal waste in landfill loads, and the City HHW Transfer Facility does not accept electronics. | — |
| San Marcos | TVs, computers, cell phones, printers and other electronics dropped off free at EDCO's Buyback Center, 224 S. Las Posas Rd. | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; EDCO Certified Recycling Center / Buyback Center – San Marcos |
| Santee | E-waste (computers, printers, fax machines, microwaves, TVs, DVD/CD players, stereos, cell phones) can be dropped off at the WM Buyback Center, 925 O'Connor St, El Cajon, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; e-waste also counts toward the free curbside bulky pickups. | El Cajon Permanent HHW Collection Facility (O'Connor St); WM Recycling Center – El Cajon (O'Conner St) |
| Solana Beach | E-waste accepted at the Vista and Poway HHW facilities; door-to-door e-waste pickup is free (call 800-714-1195). EDCO also accepts e-waste free at EDCO facilities during operating hours. | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Vista | E-waste (computers, televisions, monitors, printers, DVD players and anything with an electrical cord) accepted at the Vista HHW Collection Facility, Saturdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility |
| Unincorporated San Diego County | E-waste (stereos, televisions, computers and similar items) is included in the County's definition of bulky items collected in the two free franchised-hauler pickups per year. | South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility; Escondido HHW Facility (Escondido Disposal); El Cajon Permanent HHW Collection Facility (O'Connor St) |
Sources (checked September 2026): carlsbadca.gov · republicservices.com · republicservices.com · delmar.ca.us · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · escondido.gov · imperial-beach.edcodisposal.com · cityoflamesa.gov · cityoflamesa.gov · lemongrove.ca.gov · nationalcityca.gov · national-city.edcodisposal.com · wm.com · poway.org · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · sanmarcosca.gov · sanmarcosca.prod.govaccess.org · wm.com · cityofsanteeca.gov · cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov · solana-beach.edcodisposal.com · vista.gov · city-of-vista.edcodisposal.com · sandiegocounty.gov
Sites in the records, by city
| City | Site | Who can use it | Hours | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | Palomar Transfer Station5960 El Camino Real | Proof of residency is required for all (free) programs: utility bill, waste services bill, or driver's license. | Transfer station: Every day, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Recycling center: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Office: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free mulch and compost pickup: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Listed recycling/disposal programs free; additional transfer station services 'Fees may apply' (amounts not published). Fees: not published with a date — confirm with Republic Services. |
| Chula Vista | South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility1800 Maxwell Road | Free for residents of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, and unincorporated San Diego County; City of San Diego residents not accepted. Proof: valid CA driver's license, ID card, or recent utility bill. | Wednesdays and Saturdays only, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. No appointment is necessary. | Fees: Free. |
| Coronado | Coronado HHW Collection (Public Services Facility)101 B Avenue | Coronado residents only; driver's license checked; no business or contractor waste. | Generally held the second and fourth Saturday of each month, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (2026 closures: May 23, November 28, December 26). | Fees: confirm with City of Coronado. |
| El Cajon | El Cajon Permanent HHW Collection Facility (O'Connor St)925 O'Connor Street | Appointment only. City of El Cajon residents book via EDCO (619) 287-5696 ext. 4270; Santee residents via WM 619-596-5100. County page: appointments 'temporarily closed to unincorporated residents until further notice'. | Second and fourth Saturdays of the month, by appointment only (per City of Santee). Hours not published. | Fees: No disposal charge (Santee); free for El Cajon residents (EDCO). |
| El Cajon | WM Recycling Center – El Cajon (O'Conner St)925 O'Conner Street | No appointment needed (City of Santee). Bye Bye Mattress: does not accept business mattress drop-off. | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Fees: confirm with WM. |
| Escondido | Escondido HHW Facility (Escondido Disposal)1044 West Washington Avenue | City of Escondido residents (appointment via Escondido Disposal 760-745-3203) and unincorporated County residents (appointment via County 877-713-2784). Del Mar residents also directed here (seed). Business waste not accepted. | Sources differ — confirm with Escondido Disposal. City of Escondido HHW page says 9:00–12:30 for City residents; its e-waste page says 9–3; County page gives 12:30–2:45 for County residents. | Fees: Free for City of Escondido residents. |
| Escondido | Goodwill Clearance Center (Escondido)1996 Don Lee Place | Confirm with Goodwill Clearance Center (Escondido) | Confirm with Goodwill Clearance Center (Escondido) | Fees: confirm with Goodwill Clearance Center (Escondido). |
| Fallbrook | Fallbrook Recycling and Transfer550 W. Aviation Rd. | Public disposal. Household battery and sharps drop-off require EDCO customer status. | Public Waste Disposal: Mon-Sat 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Open All Holidays (With The Exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day: Closed). Buyback Recycling Center: Wednesday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CLOSED SUNDAY – TUESDAY. | Fees: confirm with EDCO. |
| La Mesa | EDCO Station – La Mesa8184 Commercial St. | Open to the general public for self-hauled waste. Household batteries and sharps: EDCO customers only. La Mesa residents receive twice-yearly free disposal-day coupons (Jan and July). | Public Disposal Site: Monday – Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Open All Holidays (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day). Transfer station is subject to early closure on high-volume days. Buyback Recycling Center: Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Sunday: CLOSED. | Fees: confirm with EDCO. |
| Lemon Grove | EDCO Recycling Buyback Center – Lemon Grove6700 Federal Blvd. | Yes | Monday – Saturday: CLOSED. Open Sunday only: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed New Year's Day, Fourth of July, and Christmas Day. | Fees: Buyback pays cash or check. |
| Poway | City of Poway Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility12325 Crosthwaite Circle | Proof of residency (formal I.D. or current utility bill) required. Poway page says 'Poway residents'; City of Del Mar (seed) and City of Escondido pages also direct their residents here. | Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointment is required. Closed April 4, May 23, July 4, September 5, November 28, December 26, and January 2. | Fees: confirm with City of Poway. |
| Ramona | Ramona Transfer Station (Ramona Disposal Service)324 Maple Street | Public disposal site. Battery and sharps drop-off for RDS customers only. Free mattress program aimed at unincorporated-County residential customers of Ramona Disposal Service (max 10). Poway coupon holders may use it (Sat/Sun 7–4:30 per Poway). | Sources differ — confirm with EDCO / Ramona Disposal Service. City of Poway's self-haul coupon page says Saturdays and Sundays 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; EDCO's facility page says Mon–Sat 7–4:30, closed Sundays. | Mulch and wood chips free. Mattress/box spring drop-off free. Disposal fees not published. Fees: not published with a date — confirm with EDCO / Ramona Disposal Service. |
| San Diego | EDCO Recovery and Transfer – San Diego3660 Dalbergia St. | Yes | Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open All Holidays (With The Exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day: Closed). Transfer station is subject to early closure on high-volume days. | Fees: confirm with EDCO. |
| San Marcos | EDCO Certified Recycling Center / Buyback Center – San Marcos1373 Grand Ave | Yes | Monday – Saturday: CLOSED. Open Sunday only: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. | Fees: E-waste and mattress drop-off free; e-waste, batteries and sharps free per City of San Marcos. Buyback pays cash or check. |
| Vista | Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility1145 E. Taylor Street | Free for residents of Vista, Encinitas, Escondido, Solana Beach, San Marcos, and Carlsbad; proof of residency required. Del Mar residents also directed here (seed). | Saturdays only, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. No appointment necessary. Closed holiday weekends (2026: April 4, May 23, July 4, September 5, November 28, December 26; January 2). | Fees: Free for listed cities' residents. |
Sources (checked November 2026): republicservices.com · republicservices.com · byebyemattress.com · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · imperialbeachca.gov · coronado.ca.us · sandiegocounty.gov · cityofsanteeca.gov · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · escondido.gov · escondido.gov · delmar.ca.us · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · cityoflamesa.gov · cityoflamesa.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · lemongrove.ca.gov · poway.org · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · poway.org · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · sanmarcosca.gov · vista.gov · carlsbadca.gov
State rules
- California's Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program provides recycling for unwanted electronics; CalRecycle pays approved collectors/recyclers; find a collector via the eRecycle directory.
- CalRecycle states that California law treats nonfunctioning CRTs and mercury bulbs from TVs, laptops, tablets and monitors as hazardous waste.
- Since 2005 a recycling fee is charged on certain electronic devices sold in California; from 2026-01-01 SB 1215 adds covered battery-embedded products to the CEW program.
- CalRecycle's 'Wastes Banned From the Trash' page lists fluorescent lamps/tubes, all batteries (incl. car batteries), and electronic devices as banned from the trash, recycling, or organics bin.
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov
Or have it hauled
If none of these fit — the item is heavy, the site's hours don't work, or you can't use it — JunkMD+ does the lifting and hauling, with a flat quote before we start: e-waste disposal or tv & electronics disposal.
Sources
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · carlsbadca.gov · republicservices.com · republicservices.com · delmar.ca.us · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · escondido.gov · imperial-beach.edcodisposal.com · cityoflamesa.gov · cityoflamesa.gov · lemongrove.ca.gov · nationalcityca.gov · national-city.edcodisposal.com · wm.com · poway.org · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · sanmarcosca.gov · sanmarcosca.prod.govaccess.org · wm.com · cityofsanteeca.gov · cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov · solana-beach.edcodisposal.com · vista.gov · city-of-vista.edcodisposal.com · sandiegocounty.gov · republicservices.com · republicservices.com · byebyemattress.com · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · imperialbeachca.gov · coronado.ca.us · sandiegocounty.gov · city-of-el-cajon.edcodisposal.com · escondido.gov · escondido.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · poway.org · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · encinitas.edcodisposal.com · carlsbadca.gov
Reviews
A selection of our Google reviews — read all 1,465 on Google
David and Levi are the best. They showed up at my home on time and were so pleasant and friendly. They took a look at the job and gave me a very fair price. Better than in the past when I used a junk removal company that advertises on TV. They worked quickly and efficiently and were also very fun and pleasant to have around.…
Needed an older TV removed. JunkMD showed up on time and picked up for me. They were friendly and professional - would hire again!
Chris and Junior arrived on time and very professionally handled my donation. They even picked up my spare monitor.
FAQ
FAQ — electronics recycling
Rather not haul it yourself?
Two-hour arrival windows, Monday through Saturday. We do the lifting.
(858) 869-9448 · Mon–Sat · 2-hour arrival windows