El Cerrito's aging Recycling Center, established in 1971, was closed and torn down in 2011, replaced by a modern new Recycling and Environmental Resource Center in early 2012 at the same location at the eastern end of Schmidt Lane, at the foot of an abandoned hillside rock quarry. The center, part of the City of El Cerrito's Environmental Services Division, accepts many kinds of materials for recycling, including mixed paper, cardboard, plastic containers, plastic wrappers, glass bottles, aluminum, tin and scrap metal. Plastic and glass containers should be clean. It also accepts several kinds of hard-to-recycle items, including auto and household batteries, reading glasses, hangers and styrofoam.

During construction of the new center, limited recycling operations are being conducted at interim facilities on the periphery of the site. The new center was scheduled to have an opening celebration on Earth Day, April 22, 2012, and being operations on April 23. 

The new center will accept more items not just for recycling but also for community reuse – such as tools, toys, CDs and office and school supplies – in addition to books at the popular Book Exchange, which is being expanded into the "Exchange Zone" at the new facility.

Goodwill

The center also hosts a Goodwill Industries trailer that accepts reusable goods, clothes and toys in excellent condition, but not computers, TVs or other large items. The trailer operates daily, 10am - 4:30pm. For more information about what Goodwill accepts, contact  1-888-4GOODWILL or www.eastbaygoodwill.org.

Mulch pile

Across the street from the recycling center, the city's Corporation Yard offers free mulch to the public on a first-come, first-served basis during the summer. Bring your own shovel and container. The mulch comes from trees and plants in city parks.