The Burbank Recycle Center is a comprehensive multi-purpose facility that handles everything from standard curbside sorting to specialized waste disposal for city residents.
The center serves as the main hub for Burbank's zero-waste initiatives, featuring a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) that processes all city curbside recyclables. It is highly regarded by locals for its organization, though some residents have noted that for CRV cash-back (bottles and cans), rates might be more competitive at private redemption centers.
Free Drop-Off Zone: Open to the general public for items like oversized cardboard, glass jars (colors separated), mixed paper, and scrap metal (e.g., bikes, grills, and wire hangers).
The Drop Zone (Burbank Residents Only): A specialized area for "Universal Waste" such as household electronics (e-waste), batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and toner cartridges.
Automotive Station: Residents can drop off used motor oil, antifreeze, and oil filters here. Note that cooking oil is not accepted at this location.
Mattress Recycling: Burbank residents can drop off up to three mattresses or box springs per year for free.
Plastics: Only #1, #2, and #5 plastics are accepted. Takeout containers must be clear; black plastic is strictly prohibited as it cannot be sorted by their optical scanners.
Metals: Accepts rinsed aluminum foil, trays, and steel/tin cans. Scrap metal like license plates and metal cookware is also welcome in the drop-off bins.
Paper/Cardboard: Includes junk mail, magazines, and clean pizza boxes. Shredded paper must be bagged before being placed in the designated drop-off bins.
Glass: While glass is allowed in curbside blue bins, the center prefers you drop it off here to keep colors separated, which preserves the material's recycling value.
Hazmat: Does not accept liquid paint, solvents, pesticides, or medical waste like sharps. These must go to LA County S.A.F.E. centers.
Soft Plastics: Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and "tanglers" like garden hoses or string lights should never go in the bins as they damage the sorting machinery.
Food Waste: All organic waste and food-soiled paper must go into your green organics cart, not the recycling bins.
Burbank Recycle Center
Recycling center 500 S Flower St
(818) 238-3900
http://www.burbankrecycle.org/
Ponce Recycling
Bottle & can redemption center 1100 N San Fernando Blvd