GreenCitizen's Computer and Electronics Recycling in the San Francisco Bay Area
Since 2005, we’ve serviced 413,348 individual customers and recycled over 33,025,175 pounds of electronics.
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM at 1831 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 2, Burlingame, CA 94010, near SFO.
No appointment is necessary—convenient drive-thru drop-off service. (Closed on Major Holidays)
Are You Located Outside the San Francisco Bay Area?
Mail-In Electronics Recycling
Use our Mail-In Electronics Recycling service to send us electronics from anywhere in the USA
Green Directory
Our Green Directory helps you locate a recycling center near you in just a few clicks.
Acceptable & Non-Acceptable Items for Recycling Drop-Off
Accepted
Laptops
Desktops
Servers
Monitors/ TVs
Networking Equipment
Tablets/ Smartphones
Computer Components (Hard Drives, Circuit Boards, Keyboards, etc.)
Office Electronics (Printers, Fax Machines, Paper Shredders, etc.)
Kitchen Appliances (Toasters, Blenders, Microwaves, etc.)
Stereo Equipment (DVD Players, VCRs, Receivers, etc.)
Styrofoam (#6 Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) ONLY)
Console Video Games (Xbox, PS3, Wii, etc.)
CD/DVDs
Cables/Cords
Toner/ Ink Cartridges
Not Accepted
Bottles/ Cans
Furniture
Polyurethane
Large Appliances (Stoves, Washers, Dryers)
Non-Rechargeable Batteries (Alkaline, Carbon Zinc, Disposable Batteries)
Light Bulbs (Incandescent and Fluorescent Bulbs)
Items containing liquid mercury (Thermometers and Thermostats)
Smoke Detectors
Styrofoam #4 Low-Density Polyethylene foam (LDPE/PELD)
Hazardous Waste (Paint, Motor Oil, Sharps, Bio Hazardous Waste)
Medical Electronics (Bodily contact devices such as Glucose Sensors)
UPS Batteries
FREE Data Erasure With a Certificate When You Recycle 2021/Newer Working Computers
(Applicable for all Apple and non-Apple computers)
Outside the San Francisco Bay Area? Use our Mail-In Recycling Service or Green Directory
For drop-off recycling, these are the items that are FREE to recycle and can be dropped off at the GreenCitizen Recycling Center/Eco Center in Burlingame.
Note: All Macbook EFi, Device Enrollment Program, and Remote Management Locks Must Be Removed
Free to Recycle
- Desktop Computers
- Laptops
- Servers
- Tablets
- Monitors
- Network Switches
- TVs
- Cell Phones
Items that cost $1.00/lb to recycle
- Appliances
- DVD/CD Players & VCRs
- Fans
- Printers & Fax Machines
- Scanners
- Heaters
- Keyboards
- Speakers
- Cables
- Misc. Electronics
Items that cost $6.00/lb to recycle
- CDs
- Cassette Tapes
- Vinyl Recycling
- DVDs
- Floppy Disks
- VHS Tapes
- 35 mm Slides
- DLT/LTO
- Film Negatives
Other Items/Services and corresponding fees
- Data Erasure – $5/Drive
- Physical Drive Destruction – $20/drive
- Tape Destruction – $20/unit
- Cell Phone & Tablet Destruction $35 per device
Certificate of Destruction – additional $5/unit *applicable for all data wiping/physical drive destruction services
- Styrofoam – $5/30 gallon bag
- Refrigerators –
$130 for full size$65 for mini
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Servers
- Tablets
- Monitors
- Network switches
- TVs
Items that cost $1.00/pound to recycle.
- CD players and Walkmans
- Christmas lights
- DLP Projector TVs
- Fans
- Fax machines
- Remote controls
- Heaters
- Ink/Toner
- Keyboards
- Microwaves
- Printers
- Miscellaneous electronics
- Scanners
- Stereo equipment
- VCRs
- DVD players
- Speakers
- Vacuum cleaners
- Cables/cords
- Toasters
- Blenders
- Coffee makers
Items that cost $6.00/pound to recycle.
- CDs
- Cassette tape
- Vinyl recycling
- DVDs
- Floppy disks
- VHS
- 35mm slides
- DLT/LTO
- Film negatives
Other Items/Services and Their Corresponding Fees
| Item/Service | Fees |
|---|---|
| Data Erasure | $5 per drive |
| Hard Disk Destruction | $20 per drive (in laptop, desktop, or server), with an additional $5 for certification. |
| Tape Destruction | $20 per unit, with an additional $5 for certification. |
| Cell phone and tablet data destruction | $35 per device, with an additional $5 for certification. |
| Styrofoam | $5 per 30-gallon plastic bag |
| Refrigerators |
$130 for full size $65 for mini |
Items WE CANNOT ACCEPT
- Furniture: chairs, couches, etc.
- Light bulbs
- Large appliances: stoves, washers, dryers
- Styrofoam #4 Low-Density Polyethylene foam (LDPE/PELD)
- Non-rechargeable electronic batteries: carbon zinc, zinc air, disposable batteries
- Single-use alkaline batteries
- Items containing liquid mercury: thermometers, thermostats, etc.
- Smoke detectors: models that contain americium 241
- Hazardous waste: paint, motor oil, sharps, biohazardous waste, etc.
- Any medical electronics.
GreenCitizen cannot currently accept any loose batteries not installed in electronics due to hazards associated with handling and storage.
I love that there is a place to recycle electronic items responsibly. No overseas shipments; all are disassembled here and taken care of in an environmentally sound way. The small price they charge is totally worth the environmental impact. It’s not realistic to think there is no cost for safe disposal. Very helpful staff, easy to drive in, safe and fast. I appreciate the data destruction option, too.
The staff at Green Citizen were incredibly informative, helpful and courteous.The process of dropping off computers and hard drives for destruction was so quick and simple. They have an efficient set up. I highly recommend them and I will definitely be going back to them when I have additional items to recycle. It’s an impressive organization.
Green Citizen makes electronics drop-off easy and friendly. We’ve been taking our stuff there for years. Best of all, I have confidence that they handle everything appropriately and responsibly. I’m happy to pay to dispose of things like old video tapes with them because I know how they will treat my discards – with as little environmental impact as possible.
Awesome experience!!! Had an old CRT-TV that I needed to get rid of. Pulled up and they came to the car and pulled it out. Friendly and helpful! Will definitely bring all ewaste to Green Citizen in the future.
Been here multiple times for home and small business. So easy and simple to fill out the form and drop-off isn’t DIY, they come out to your car and take care of everything! Always recommended and candidly, better than my local Scavenger.
Great recycling service. Their fees are very fair, and their service is stellar. I’ve gone multiple times over the last 8 years and have always had great, kind, helpful service. I really appreciate this company that does so much good with recyclables that would normally be added to landfill.
Green Citizen makes electronics drop-off easy and friendly. We’ve been taking our stuff there for years. Best of all, I have confidence that they handle everything appropriately and responsibly. I’m happy to pay to dispose of things like old video tapes with them because I know how they will treat my discards – with as little environmental impact as possible.
I’ve been to GreenCitizen a few times now to drop off old electronics and cables. They’ve been wonderful every time. You simply pull up in your car, someone will come out to help process your drop off. Every time has been less than 10 minutes and very pleasant customer service. Safe, quick, efficient, no hassle. Wonderful.
What Is GreenCitizen’s Drop-Off Recycling Service?
GreenCitizen provides secure, responsible computer and electronics recycling drop-off services for residents across the San Francisco Bay Area. We provide secure intake for common electronics like computers, monitors, TVs, and servers. For added accountability, qualifying items are logged through GTAMS (GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System), with certificates and reporting available.
We also offer data destruction and sanitization services following the methods specified in DoD 5220.22-M and NIST SP 800-88 Rev.1 guidance, ensuring residents have access to standards-backed security for personal devices and drives.
How GreenCitizen Drop-Off Recycling Process Works
1. Arrival & Loading Zone
Navigate to the GreenCitizen Electronics Recycling Drop-Off Center in Burlingame (near SFO). Please use the designated loading/unloading zone directly in front of the facility for heavy items such as TVs, desktop towers, and printers.
How To Access Our Drive-Thru
To access our drop-off center, you can take the Millbrae exit and turn onto Old Bayshore Hwy. Our address is 1831 Old Bayshore Hwy #2, and you can access our drive-thru in the back of the building by turning onto Cowan Rd. You could also use this driving direction to find the quickest route to our EcoCenter.
2. Item Intake & Sorting
Once we receive recyclable items, we begin sorting them. We separate items into Free-to-Recycle categories (e.g., laptops, monitors, servers) and Fee-Based categories (e.g., printers, media, #6 EPS Styrofoam). Any applicable recycling fees are confirmed with you before processing begins.
3. Data Security, Payment & Documentation
Every recyclable item is logged into GTAMS (GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System) and processed. For data and physical drive destruction, we strictly follow methods specified by DoD and NIST guidelines.
- Payment: We accept any card that operates on the Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover payment networks, as well as JCB and UnionPay International for recycling and destruction fees. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are also accepted. If your card uses another network, you’re welcome to try it on-site, but acceptance may vary.
- Documentation: You will receive a receipt upon payment. Formal certificates/reporting and chain-of-custody documentation are available upon request (additional fees may apply).
Secure Data Destruction for the Public
GreenCitizen brings Corporate ITAD Security to individuals. We handle your personal data with the same rigorous DoD 5220.22-M and NIST SP 800-88 Rev.1 aligned procedures used for our enterprise clients.
- Physical Hard Drive Destruction ($20/drive): We physically crush or shred your hard drive to ensure 100% data unrecoverability.
- Mobile Device Destruction ($35/device): Physical destruction for cell phones and tablets containing non-removable storage.
- Data Erasure ($5/drive): Software-based sanitization for functional drives, allowing the drive to be reused safely.
- Tape/Media Destruction ($20/unit): Physical destruction of backup tapes or specialized media.
Compliance Add-On: An official Certificate of Destruction (detailing serial numbers and destruction methods) is available for your records for an additional $5/unit.
Important: Apple iCloud & Activation Locks
Please remove BIOS/EFI and management locks such as DEP/MDM/Remote Management and Apple ID/iCloud accounts before drop-off.
Why Choose GreenCitizen Drop-Off?
| Feature | GreenCitizen Drop-Off Center | Big Box Stores & County Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Data Security | Guaranteed: Follows the same methods specified in DoD & NIST guidelines. | Unknown: Often shipped to third-party aggregators with no security guarantees. |
| Accountability | Itemized Tracking: Items logged via GTAMS for accountability. | Bulk Collection: Items are tossed into a mixed bin with no tracking. |
| Hard Drive Destruction | On-Site Options: Witnessed physical destruction available ($20/drive). | None: Drives are usually not destroyed on-site. |
| Styrofoam (#6 EPS) | Accepted: Clean block foam accepted (small fee). | Rejected: Most programs send Styrofoam to the landfill. |
| Wait Time | < 10 Minutes: Dedicated loading zone for rapid intake. | Variable: Long lines at customer service desks or county dumps. |
FAQ
No appointment is necessary. Just come to our EcoCenter in Burlingame during business hours. Pull into our designated loading zone, and our team will help you with intake.
If you are recycling a television or computer, please fill out the drop-off form before arrival and submit it online. When you arrive, let our team know your name so we can confirm your submission quickly. If you are dropping off miscellaneous items only (for example, cables or small appliances), you do not need to submit the form.
We are located at 1831 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 2, Burlingame, CA 94010. We are conveniently located near SFO (San Francisco International Airport), serving residents across the entire San Francisco Bay Area.
We’re open Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We’re closed on weekends and major holidays. (If you’re visiting around a holiday, it’s a good idea to check for closure notices before you drive over.)
Most drop-offs are completed in under 10 minutes. Our team sorts your items immediately upon arrival so you can pay any applicable fees and be on your way.
We offer free recycling for high-value IT equipment, including:
- Computers: Desktops, Laptops, Servers.
- Displays: LCD/LED Monitors, CRT Monitors, and Televisions (All types).
- Mobile: Cell Phones, Tablets, and Smartphones.
Networking: Switches, Routers, and Modems.
The $1.00 per lb cost applies to peripheral and consumer electronics, such as:
- Printers, Scanners, and Fax Machines.
- Keyboards, Mice, Cables, and Chargers.
- Stereo Equipment (Speakers, VCR/DVD Players).
- Small Appliances (Fans, Heaters, Microwaves).
Magnetic and optical media are difficult to process and cost $6.00 per pound to recycle. This includes VHS tapes, cassette tapes, floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, and film negatives. This fee helps offset the special handling, transportation, and destruction/incineration costs required for these materials.
Yes, but clean, white block Styrofoam (#6 EPS) only. The fee is $5.00 per 30-gallon bag. We cannot accept #4 Styrofoam, LDPE foam, dirty/contaminated foam, or mixed foam packaging.
We offer two tiers of security for hard drives:
- Physical Destruction ($20/drive): The drive is crushed/shredded.
- Data Erasure ($5/drive): Software-based wiping for functional drives.
Note: A formal Certificate of Destruction is available for an additional $5/unit.
Yes. Mobile devices with non-removable storage can be physically destroyed for $35 per device.
Yes. Our data sanitization and data destruction methods are the same as those specified by DoD 5220.22-M and NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 1, ensuring corporate-grade security for personal devices.
Yes, every item that we receive is tracked and logged in to our GTAMS (GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System) to create a traceable record.
No. We cannot accept loose batteries (Alkaline/Lithium), light bulbs (CFL/Fluorescent), or smoke detectors due to hazardous material regulations.
Please visit our Green Directory to find a verified local drop-off location near you for batteries, paint, and household hazardous waste. To get the best match quickly, simply enter your ZIP code and the item you want to recycle.
We accept small appliances (microwaves, mini-fridges) for a fee, but we cannot accept large appliances like washing machines, dryers, or full-sized stoves.