City of Berkeley Transfer Station
COVID-19 Service Information: The Transfer Station and Berkeley Recycling Center are open. When visiting the Transfer Station, wear a face covering, unload in the designated area, and keep at least 6 feet away from others.
See COVID-19 service notices for a full list of changes to City services during the pandemic.
Accepts Your Refuse, Yard Waste & Recyclables
Easy access, quick service, competitive prices - see our current Transfer Station Rates
LOCATION: 1201 Second Street - just off the Gilman Street freeway exit in Berkeley
REGULAR HOURS OF OPERATION:
Open: Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed: The Transfer Station is closed on Sundays and on the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Independence Day (4th of July)
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
A fee of $15 will be assessed to drivers of vehicles with Unsecured Loads arriving at the Transfer Station. An unsecured load is one that has not been fastened in or attached to the vehicle with tarps, rope, straps, netting, or chains, so as to prevent any part of the load or the covering from becoming loose, detached, or leaving the vehicle while the vehicle is moving.
Driving with an unsecured load is against California state law: No Spillage "a vehicle shall not be driven or moved on any highway unless the vehicle is ..., covered, or loaded as to prevent any of its contents ... escaping from the vehicle."; and Load Secured "... the load is totally covered in a manner that will prevent the load or any part of the load from spilling or falling from the vehicle."
COMPOSTING & RECYCLING AT THE TRANSFER STATION
Compostables: Please keep plant debris and other compostable materials separate from your other refuse.
- Compostable materials include: tree and garden trimmings and unpainted/untreated wood (nails are okay).
- Not allowed: plywood, particle board, painted wood, drywall, and plastic bags (please empty any plastic bags used to transport debris).
- We cannot compost sod or plant debris with excessive dirt - this will be handled and charged as refuse.
- Remember: loads that contain only compostable materials are charged at a reduced rate - see the rates, below.
Mixed Construction & Demolition (C&D) Debris: The Berkeley Transfer Station is accepting construction and demolition materials, such as:
- Wood (clean, untreated, unpainted only)
- Roofing Materials
- Drywall
- Tile, Porcelain, Brick
- Dirt & Rock
- Concrete
- Metal
- Cardboard
- Rigid Plastics
- Toilets, Sinks, Bathtubs
Other Recyclable & Special Handling Items
- We accept and recycle appliances, mattresses, and tires, and donate reusable goods. These items may carry a special handling fee, see rates, below. You can save money by donating reusable goods yourself. Check out our Reuse Guide for resources.
- NEW: We recycle carpet! Carpet must be clean and dry, debris-free, rolled separately from padding, and cut into manageable sections (4' is ideal). No wet or moldy carpet. No tack strips or small pieces of carpet. No carpet tiles, rugs, or carpet padding. Carpet is charged at the refuse rate.
- NEW: We recycle futon mattresses! Effective January 1, 2020, all clean, dry mattresses (including futon mattresses) and box springs are accepted for recycling. California residents can drop off up to two mattresses or box springs at no charge. Commercial customers pay the standard rate for all mattresses and box springs.
- Lower your costs: use the Berkeley Recycling Center. To save money, recycle as much as possible at the Berkeley Recycling Center (at the corner of 2nd and Gillman) before you enter the Transfer Station. Organize your load so you can easily remove the recyclable materials.
DISPOSAL OF OTHER MATERIALS
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Recycle Motor Oil and Oil Filters: For people and businesses who change their own oil, we pay 16¢ per gallon for up to 20 gallons of oil per customer, delivered in 5‑gallon or smaller containers. Clean motor oil and hydraulic fluid only - no brake fluid, solvents or antifreeze.
NO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AT THE TRANSFER STATION
For information about disposal programs for hazardous waste from residences and small businesses: Please see the StopWaste.org and Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program web sites or call the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at 800-606-6606.
Also, we do not accept most Universal Waste. Please ask the attendant for more information.
There is a Transfer Station Unsecured Load Fee of $15 for vehicles arriving with uncovered loads.
KIND OF MATERIAL
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RATE
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REFUSE, TRASH, C & D
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Minimum charge for load of 330 pounds or less*
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$29.00
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Per ton, prorated basis for loads greater than 330 lbs
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$126.00
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COMPOSTABLE ORGANIC MATERIALS
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Minimum charge for load of 330 pounds or less*
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$23.00
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Per ton
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$67.00
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MIXED LOAD OF REFUSE & ORGANIC DEBRIS
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see note$
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If customer separates all compostables:
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Minimum charge for load of 330 pounds or less*
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$29.00
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Per ton
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$126.00
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If customer does not separate all compostables:
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Minimum charge for load of 330 pounds or less*
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$43.50
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Per ton
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$189.00
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ITEMS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL HANDLING
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Refrigerated appliance
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$43.00
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Mattress or box spring*
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$14.00
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Automobile tire
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$10.00
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Truck tire
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$15.00
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Propane tank
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$20.00
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TV/monitor/CRT per each item over 2 (1st 2 are free)
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$9.00
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PREPAID REFUSE & PLANT DEBRIS BAGS
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Prepaid Refuse Bag
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$5.73
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Prepaid Plant Debris Bag
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$2.30
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* Minimum used for rate per cubic yard if scale is inoperable, estimate of volume to nearest half cubic yard.
$ The Alameda County Plant Debris Landfill Ban requires that any self-haul load (containing at least 10% plant debris) be separated for composting. The "mixed load" that's separated upon delivery by the customer will be weighed and charged at the standard Refuse rate. A customer who does not separate plant debris from refuse will have a surcharge for the load, which is 50% of the refuse rate.
*California residents may drop off up to two mattresses (including futon mattresses) or box springs at no charge. Commercial customers pay the standard rate for all mattresses and box springs.
If you have questions about the rates, please contact Customer Service.
Thank you for using the Berkeley Transfer Station for your recycling, composting and refuse disposal needs.