Where To Redeem Bottles and Cans
Bring your “California Redemption Value” cans and bottles for cash to the Mountain View Recycling Center, 935 Terra Bella Avenue, Mountain View (near the intersection of N. Shoreline Boulevard and Highway 101). The Mountain View Recycling Center is operated by Recology Mountain View and is open from 9 am to 3 pm Tuesday through Saturday (except for major holidays). The recycling center is a Certified Redemption Center regulated by the State of California, Department of Conservation.

Why Redeem Cans and Bottles at the Mountain View Recycling Center?
When you redeem bottles and cans at the recycling center, you receive cash and also help conserve resources and divert waste from the landfill. In turn, the City receives the salvage value of the cans and bottles, and well as a small payment from the State for each container redeemed.

Counting vs. Weighing
Under State regulations, if you have less than 50 containers, you may ask to have containers individually counted (less than 50 of each material type). However, in the interest of efficiency and others waiting in line, it would be best to redeem by individual count during the weekday when the center is not busy. Also, by State regulation, the recycling center has the right to pay by weight if there are 50 or more containers being redeemed (see picture upper right). Recent studies by the State Department of Conservation reveal that the difference between individual counts and weights are minimal. Complaints about the State's redemption program or regulations may be made directly to 1-800-RECYCLE.  See also FAQs at http://www.bottlesandcans.com/faqs/

What Happens to Bottles & Cans?
In 2009, about 119,580 pounds of aluminum cans, 521,220 pounds of glass bottles and 177,360 pounds of plastic bottles were recycled through the center. These materials will be made into new cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles and other useful products.

Can I Drop Off Recycling?

Mountain View Recycling Center
The Mountain View Recycling Center, 935 Terra Bella Ave., Mountain View (open Tues-Sat 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) accepts the same items as the home curbside recycling program:  empty glass bottles and jars, empty plastic bottles and tubs (marked #1-#7), metal and aluminum cans, lids, caps and foil, clean newspaper and clean cardboard, and household batteries.   NO:  garbage; plastics other than bottles and tubs; glass other than glass bottles and jars; plastic bags, pizza boxes (clean or dirty), polystyrene foam packaging, clothing, yard trimmings, wood, or concrete.  Questions? Call Recology at 650-967-3034.

SMaRT Station
The SMaRT Station is the materials recovery and refuse transfer facility shared by the Cities of Mountain View, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale.  It is located at 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale and is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for some holidays.  In addition to providing buy-back and drop-off services like the Mountain View Recycling Center, the SMaRT Station processes Mountain View's residential and commercial garbage, yard trimmings and recyclables.  The Station also accepts garbage, appliances, yard waste, furniture, and construction debris from our community for a fee.  However, there is no charge if residents submit a Voucher as the result of exchanging a free On Call Plus Clean Up appointment for a Voucher.  For more information about this service and eligibility, visit the Clean Up link on the left side of this page.

Household Hazardous Waste & E-Waste
The SMaRT Station also hosts the monthly Household Hazardous Waste & E-Waste Collection Events by appointment.  To make a Saturday appointment contact www.hhw.org or 408-299-7300 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).  The Station accepts a limited amount of these items year-round at the Buy-back center at no charge to residents.  You can drop off computer monitors, televisions, cell phones and other consumer electronic hazardous wastes, fluorescent tubes, batteries (household and vehicle), hypodermic needles, thermometers and thermostats, used motor oil and filters, and anti-freeze at no additional charge. 

Used Cooking Oil
SMaRT has a new service for residents to bring up to 5-gallons of used cooking oil to the Station.  The attendant will pour cooking oil into a 55-gallon drum for recycling by Salinas Tallow.  For more information, location and hours, visit the SMaRT Station link on the left side of this page.