
Plastic recycling is crucial for the future of the planet. As an environmentally conscious individual, you may be wondering where to recycle plastic in San Francisco. The good news is that San Francisco is internationally known for producing bales of recyclable plastic with less than 0.5% contamination. This means that the city's recyclables are competitive to be sold to mills in Indonesia and elsewhere. Several organizations in San Francisco, such as Recology, SF Environment, and SF Recycles, provide guidelines and services for proper plastic recycling. Additionally, companies like Scrapmanagement.com specialize in purchasing various types of plastic in bulk for recycling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Organization | Recology San Francisco |
| Website | https://www.recology.com/recology-san-francisco / |
| Address | Recology San Francisco Transfer Station at 501 Tunnel Avenue in San Francisco |
| Accepted Materials | Food scraps, soiled paper, plants, yard trimmings, large blocks of clean Styrofoam, plastic bags, bubble wrap, plastic bottles, plastic containers, plastic toys, plastic chairs and tables, plastic boxes, plastic storage containers, plastic picture frames, plastic mirrors, plastic bowls, plastic dishware, plastic caps, plastic lids, plastic buckets, plastic pellets, regrind plastic, plastic wrap, stretch films, agricultural LDPE film for food storage, squeeze bottles, flexible packaging, trash can liners, wire and cable insulation, plastic toys, general packaging, plastic water pipes, food containers, bottles for cosmetics, bottles for household products, automotive parts, car bumpers, interior panels, battery casings, Coroplast, medical items, supersac, bulk bags, packaging materials, BOPP film, PVC or vinyl plastic, disposable food containers, disposable cups, protective packaging materials (EPS foam), insulation materials, thermal insulation boards, insulation panels, CD and DVD cases, electronics (televisions and computers) |
| Requirements | Recycling must be loose, free of a plastic bag liner. Recycling must be clean and dry. Give food and beverage containers a light rinse. Cardboard must be broken down to a manageable size (2’x2’x2′) max. |
| Additional Information | Recology San Francisco works with business owners, property managers, and residents to tailor programs based on their needs. |
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What You'll Learn

Recology San Francisco Transfer Station
The Recology San Francisco Transfer Station is located at 501 Tunnel Avenue in San Francisco. It serves as a hub for resource recovery and disposal in the city. The transfer station accepts various materials for recycling, including clean polyethylene film plastic (e.g. plastic bags), cardboard, and large blocks of Styrofoam™.
For plastic recycling, the transfer station specifically caters to the recycling of clean polyethylene film plastic, which includes items such as plastic bags. These plastics are then baled and shipped to plastic recycling markets. It is important to note that recycling must be loose, free of plastic bag liners, and clean and dry.
In addition to plastic, the transfer station also accepts other materials such as cardboard, shredded paper, scrap metal, tires, and electronics. They also have special disposal procedures for hazardous waste, including household chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, and pesticides.
The transfer station is open to both residents and businesses, with certain requirements for proof of residency. There is a minimum disposal fee of $60 per load, and all loads must be properly covered with a tarp and tied down to avoid an additional $20 fee.
For more information, customers can contact the transfer station via phone at (415) 330-1400, from 7 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday, or via email at [email protected].
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Plastic buyers in San Francisco
If you are looking to recycle plastic in San Francisco, there are several options available to you. Recology San Francisco, for example, accepts large blocks of clean Styrofoam for recycling at its Transfer Station at 501 Tunnel Avenue. They also provide tailored programs for businesses, property managers, and residents to manage their compost and recycling.
For those seeking to buy plastic, there are several suppliers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Piedmont Plastics, for instance, is a leading supplier of high-quality performance plastic materials across the Bay Area and Northern California. They stock a wide range of plastic products, including sheets, rods, tubes, and films, and offer precision plastic-cutting services to provide customers with the exact dimensions required. Piedmont Plastics is located in Union City, approximately 35 miles southeast of San Francisco, and can be easily accessed via the Nimitz Freeway (I-880) and Alvarado-Niles Road.
Another option is Mr. Plastics, a full-service plastics distribution, design, and fabrication company that has been servicing the San Francisco Bay Area since 1985. They specialize in making fabricated and manufactured parts from materials such as acrylic, polycarbonate, and ABS for various industries. Mr. Plastics is located in San Leandro at 844 Doolittle Drive.
These companies not only provide plastic materials but also offer expertise and services to help customers find the right solutions for their specific applications, whether it's for signage, industrial components, or other customized needs.
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SF Environment website
The SF Environment website provides a wealth of information on recycling plastic in San Francisco. The website offers a comprehensive guide to help residents properly dispose of their items and contribute to a more sustainable future.
One of the key messages on the website is the importance of reducing and reusing plastic items. The website encourages residents to refuse to purchase items packaged in plastic containers to minimise the amount of plastic ending up in landfills. This is because, unfortunately, not all plastics can be recycled. The website provides information on identifying non-recyclable plastics and other complex materials, ensuring that residents only place truly non-reusable items in the trash.
The SF Environment website also offers practical advice on recycling various plastic items. It mentions that recycling must be loose and free of plastic bag liners. All recycling should be clean and dry, with food and beverage containers given a light rinse to remove any residue. This is important as "contamination" from food residue is a significant issue in recycling, though San Francisco has achieved an impressively low contamination rate of less than 0.5%.
Additionally, the website provides specific instructions for recycling large blocks of clean Styrofoam™. Residents can drop off these items for recycling at the Recology San Francisco Transfer Station, located at 501 Tunnel Avenue. The website also mentions that extra cardboard can be recycled by breaking it down to a manageable size and placing it in or next to the Recology cart.
Furthermore, the SF Environment website offers options for donating reusable items, ensuring that they find new life instead of ending up in landfills. Overall, the website is a valuable resource for San Francisco residents, providing clear guidance on plastic recycling and promoting a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.
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SF Transfer Station
The SF Transfer Station is located at 501 Tunnel Avenue in San Francisco. The facility is open Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 4:30 PM, Saturday from 7:30 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday from 7:30 AM to 4 PM. It is closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
The SF Transfer Station is a registered construction and demolition debris recycling facility. It accepts a range of materials for recycling, including clean and dry cardboard and boxes, food and beverage containers, and large blocks of clean Styrofoam™. Residents with extra recycling can place extra cardboard in a bin, cardboard box, or paper bag next to their blue Recology cart at the curb. The cardboard must be broken down to a manageable size of 2'x2'x2' and bundled with string or placed in boxes.
The facility also accepts household hazardous waste, such as paint, oil, and other household chemicals, with a limit of 15 gallons. Appointments are required for hazardous waste disposal and can be made by calling 415.330.1425. California State EPA ID Numbers must be obtained in advance of the appointment.
In addition to recycling services, the SF Transfer Station also offers a unique Artist in Residence Program, providing a creative space for artists to work with recycled materials.
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Recology cart
Recology provides waste collection, composting, recycling, hazardous waste management, debris box services, and more to residents, business owners, and property managers in San Francisco. The company offers three types of carts for waste disposal: a grey garbage cart, a blue recycling cart, and a green composting cart.
The grey garbage cart is for non-recyclable materials that cannot be reused. If you have extra trash that does not fit in your cart, you can set it out in a sealed bag on top of your Recology cart. Your Recology collector will pick it up and charge your account for the extra service.
The blue recycling cart is for clean and dry recycling materials such as food and beverage containers, cardboard, and boxes. Recycling must be loose and free of plastic bag liners. If you have extra recycling that does not fit in your cart, you can place it in a bin, cardboard box, or paper bag next to your blue Recology cart at the curb.
The green composting cart is for food scraps, soiled paper, plants, and yard trimmings. Yard trimmings that do not fit in the cart can be placed next to it in a compostable bag or bundled together with string.
Recology also provides special pickup services for large items or extra waste that does not fit in the standard carts. You can schedule a special pickup by calling at least one workday in advance, and an employee will provide an estimate of the charges.
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Frequently asked questions
Recology San Francisco accepts plastic for recycling at the Recology San Francisco Transfer Station at 501 Tunnel Avenue in San Francisco.
The Transfer Station accepts large blocks of clean Styrofoam for recycling.
You can also recycle plastic through specialist companies that purchase plastic for recycling, such as scrapmanagement.com.
These companies can recycle various types of plastic, including plastic bags, plastic wrap, stretch films, plastic food containers, bottles, and packaging.
It is important to ensure that your plastic is clean and dry before placing it in the recycling cart or bin. Food containers should be given a light rinse to remove any residue.











































