What do I do with...

If you are unsure of how to dispose of an item, consult the list below for local agencies and businesses that recycle, haul, or accept usable and unusable goods.

AMERICAN FLAGS

U.S. Flags that are worn, faded, or damaged can be respectfully disposed of in a drop box just outside the entrance of CMSD’s headquarters, located at 290 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa. Flags will be collected and retired by a local Boy Scout troop.

APPLIANCES

If it still works and is less than 8 years old, consider donating it to a thrift store or the Orange County Habitat for Humanity ReStore - (714) 434- 6266 / 2140 Ritchey St., Santa Ana. If it no longer works, CMSD solid waste customers can contact CR&R at (949) 645-8400 to have it collected as part of the Large Item Collection Program.

ASBESTOS

If you suspect that a property you own contains asbestos, please contact a licensed asbestos abatement professional. While there are serious health risks associated with asbestos, this material is not accepted for disposal through the District or the Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs.

BATTERIES

All batteries types can be collected curbside through the Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.

To learn more about the importance of proper battery disposal and how batteries are recycled, read this article.

Household batteries can also be dropped off at the following locations: (*Please place tape over terminals to prevent fires)

• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - (714) 834-4000 Various Locations.
• OCC Recycling Center - (714) 432-5131 - On Adams Ave. between Harbor Blvd. and Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa

• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - (714) 834-4000 Various Locations. NOTE: Large commercial truck batteries not accepted.
• O’Reilly Auto Parts - (949) 642-3384 1739 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa
• Firestone Auto Care - (949) 646-2444 475 E 17th St., Costa Mesa

BEVERAGE CONTAINERS 

OCC Recycling Center - (714) 432-5131 - On Adams Ave. between Harbor Blvd. and Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa 

BOOKS

• OCC Recycling Center - (714) 432-5131 - On Adams Ave. between Harbor Blvd. and Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa
• Consider donating used books to a local Thrift Store.

CELL PHONES

OCC Recycling Center - (714) 432-5131 - On Adams Ave. between Harbor Blvd. and Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa

You can return your used cell phone to distributors such as:

• AT&T – (949) 764-0021 - 298 E 17th St. Unit C, Costa Mesa
• AT&T – (714) 432-0900 – 2800 Harbor Blvd. Ste C, Costa Mesa
• Sprint Store – (714) 437-7460 - 3030 Harbor Blvd. Ste H2, Costa Mesa
• T-Mobile – (949) 554-0630 – 2300 Habor Blvd. Ste N3, Costa Mesa
• T-Mobile – (949) 646-1934 – 299 E. 17^th St., Costa Mesa
• Verizon – (949) 515-4202 – 2300 Harbor Blvd. Ste L2, Costa Mesa
• Verizon – (714) 427-0733 – 901 S. Coast Dr. Building K Ste120, Costa Mesa

You can also donate your phone to the following causes:

• 911 Cell Phone Bank provides emergency cell phones to law enforcement and affiliated victim services agencies. For more information, visit 911 Cell Phone Bank.
• Cell Phones For Soldiers provides deployed and returning troops a cost-free method to communicate with their families while serving in the military. For more information, visit Cell Phones For Solidiers.
• HopeLine from Verizon collects and distributes cell phones to victims of domestic abuse. For more information, visit Verizon's Hopeline.
  

• Consider donating clothing to a local thrift store.
• OCC Recycling Center - (714) 432-5131 - On Adams Ave. between Harbor Blvd. and Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa

• Computers can be collected curbside through the Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.
• OCC Recycling Center - (714) 432-5131 - On Adams Ave. between Harbor Blvd. and Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - (714) 834-4000 Various Locations. 

• Orange County Habitat for Humanity ReStore (714) 434-6266 - 2140 Ritchey Street, Santa Ana
• Certain types of furniture are also accepted at thrift stores.
• If you are interested in hosting a garage sale, please see this Guide to Preparing for a Garage Sale.

• Curbside Large Item Collection Program is available for eligible CMSD residents. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.

• Some dry cleaners will take back hangers and reuse them. Check with your dry cleaner. 
• Hangers can also be donated to thrift stores.
• Otherwise, place metal and plastic hangers in your trash container and they will be recycled at CR&R's Material Recovery Facility.

• Household Hazardous Waste can be collected curbside through the Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - (714) 834-4000 Various Locations.

• Office Depot - (949) 724-8500 - 2747 Campus Drive, Irvine
• Staples - (949) 548-4955 - 241 E 17th St., Costa Mesa

• Curbside Large Item Collection Program is available for CMSD solid waste customers. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.
• Orange County Waste & Recycling partners with Bye Bye Mattress to provide free residential mattress recycling at their Olinda Alpha and Prima Deshecha landfills. For more information, visit their OC Mattress Recycling Program webpage. To find a mattress disposal location near you, you can also visit Bye Bye Mattress' Facility Locator.

• Used cooking oil can be placed in your Organics Recycling Cart, along with food waste and green waste. CR&R recycles these items into nutrient-rich compost and renewable natural gas.
• OCC Recycling Center- (714) 432-5131 On Adams Ave. between Harbor Blvd. and Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa

• Motor oil and filters can be collected curbside through the Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - (714) 834-4000 Various Locations.
• Certified Used Oil Collection Centers also accept motor oil and filters.

• Mail Boxes and More - (949) 544-1616 - 2618 San Miguel Dr., Newport Beach

• Paint can be collected curbside through the Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - (714) 834-4000 Various Locations.

• Dunn-Edwards - (949) 548-0105 - 1835 Newport Blvd.
• Dunn-Edwards - (714) 432-8745 - 3015 Bristol St.
• Sherwin-Williams - (714) 241-8667 - 2338 Harbor Blvd.
• Vista Paint - (714) 540-8282 - 2931 Bristol St.

• Recycle plastic grocery bags at your local grocery or drug store, including:
• Albertsons - (949) 515-7227 - 2300 C Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa
• Vons - (714) 751-4270 - 2701-B Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa
• Stater Bros - (714) 437-0754 - 1175-C Baker St., Costa Mesa
• Target - (714) 979-0372 - 3030 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa

• Sharps can be collected curbside through the Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup. Sharps must be placed in rigid, sealed containers in order to be collected.
• Please see CMSD's Sharps Disposal Program for additional drop off locations.

• Electronic waste can be collected curbside through the Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.
• OCC Recycling Center - (714) 432-5131 - On Adams Ave. between Harbor Blvd. and Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility - (714) 834-4000 Various Locations.

• Just Tires (714) 557-8000 - 3005 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa
• Big O Tires (949-642-4131 - 322 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa

• Orange County Habitat for Humanity ReStore (714) 434-6266 - 2140 Ritchey Street, Santa Ana
• Some are also accepted at thrift stores.

• Curbside Large Item Collection Program is available for CMSD solid waste customers. Call CR&R at (949) 646-4617 to schedule a pickup.