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Electronics (E-Waste)

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Due to changing electronic waste recycling markets the City will no longer be offering our biannual e-waste drop-off events but residents and businesses can drop off electronic waste at 3 easy-to-use local locations 6 days a week.

See our Drop-Off Locations below for details.

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E-waste is anything that has an electrical cord or runs on batteries. E-waste cannot be put in trash or recycling containers since it contains hazardous materials. In fact, it has been illegal to dispose of electronics with hazardous components since February, 2006. Common e-waste items include:

computers, laptops, components & accessories (CPU, monitor, keyboard, mice, cables, external hard drives)
TVs of any kind (CRT*, plasma, LCD, etc.)
stereos and accessories (speakers, cables)
all phones (mobiles phones with batteries removed; landline phones plus cords)
electric & battery-operated tools
light fixtures/lamps (remove bulbs)
electronic toys/games, cameras
CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, and other media

Special notes:

*Damaged or broken CRT TVs must go to the County Transfer Station

**Modern Smoke Detectors contain radioactive material and must be mailed back the manufacturer

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Battery and Cell Phone Collection

All Santa Barbara residents with trash service have access to battery and cell phone recycling at home.

Single-family residents can place household batteries (tape the ends of each battery) and old cell phones in a plastic bag (e.g. Ziploc) on top of (not inside) their blue cart. Batteries will be picked up on the regular collection day.

In apartments or other multi-family dwellings, the landlord can request an orange bucket, free of charge, from MarBorg by calling 963-1852. These buckets can then be brought to one of the collection centers below.

Batteries, cell phones, and other electronics can always be taken to the Recycling Center (ABOP) at 132 Nopalitos Way on the east side, Monday-Saturday 9-4.

Drop-off Locations

Downtown Recycling Center (MarBorg ABOP)
132 Nopalitos St.
963-1852
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 AM to 4 PM

South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station
4430 Calle Real
681-4345
Hours: Monday - Saturday 7 AM - 5 PM

Goleta Recycling Center - Mon - Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9:15am - 4pm;
20 David Love Place, Goleta; 963-1852

Santa Barbara Zoo Gorillas on the Line (accepts cell phones, smart phones, MP3 players, tablets, hand-held game devices, adapters, and chargers) - Mon. - Sun. 10am-5pm; 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara; (805) 962-5339

Free Home Pickup Option

Included with your paid City Trash service are two annual large item ("bulky item") pickups; you can use them to have e-waste collected.

Each single-family home that pays a City trash bill is entitled to two bulky item pickups per year with an unlimited quantity of goods, including household appliances. Call MarBorg at 963-1852 for an appointment, but wait until your assigned pickup day to place items at the curb.
For multi-unit buildings, the landlord or property manager may schedule the two included bulky item pickups for the entire building by calling MarBorg. Residents must gather their large items on the appropriate day.

Changes coming October 1, 2023: Each residential address in the City with an active trash and recycling account will now receive four large item pickups (of up to five items, boxes, or bags) each year. Have more than five items for pickup? You can schedule two pickups for one day! The program will also be expanded to include residents in apartment buildings, who will no longer have to rely on landlords to schedule pickups.

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Electronics (E-Waste)

What Is E-Waste?

Disposal Options

City Hall

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Electronics (E-Waste)

What Is E-Waste?

Disposal Options

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