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

CMSD no longer has a drop box for disposing of American flags. As an alternative, please contact your local fire department or the Orange County Fire Authority for proper disposal information. Customers can also check their local Home Depot, Walmart, or veterans organization for flag disposal resources. 

APPLIANCES

If it still works and is less than 8 years old, consider donating it to a thrift store or donation center. If it no longer works, CMSD solid waste customers can contact CR&R at (949) 646-4617 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)


Auto/Marine Batteries can be dropped off at the following locations: 

  • 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) 610-7987 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


CELL PHONES

OCC Recycling Center - (714) 432-5131 - On Adams Ave between Fairview Rd and Pinecreek, 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
  • T-Mobile – (714) 437-7460 - 3030 Harbor Blvd. Ste H2, Costa Mesa
  • T-Mobile – (949) 554-0630 – 2300 Harbor Blvd. Ste N3, Costa Mesa
  • T-Mobile – (949) 646-1934 – 299 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa
  • Verizon – (800) 880-1077 – 2300 Harbor Blvd. Ste L2, Costa Mesa
  • Verizon – (833) 989-0807 – 901 S. Coast Dr. Building K Ste 120, 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 Soldiers.

CLOTHING


COMPUTERS


CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION DEBRIS

Construction and demolition debris includes materials like asphalt, concrete, brick/masonry/tile, dirt, carpet, drywall, flooring, rebar, and tires. These materials are NOT accepted through the District's curbside collection and recycling programs. Orange County Waste & Recycling maintains a list of waste haulers that accept these materials at www.oclandfills.com/CD. 

ELECTRONICS


FURNITURE

Gently Used


Unusable Furniture


HANGERS

  • 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


INKJET AND PRINTER CARTRIDGES

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

MATTRESSES


OIL

Cooking Oil

  • 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 Fairview Rd and Pinecreek, Costa Mesa.

Motor Oil and Filters


PACKING PEANUTS

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

PAINT


Recycle or dispose of paint at the following Costa Mesa stores:

  • 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.

PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS

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

SHARPS & SYRINGES


SMOKE ALARMS & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS


TELEVISIONS


TIRES

Tires should not be thrown in your curbside trash carts. Some tire shops and auto supply retailers accept tires for recycling. Reach out to your local shop to confirm. 

TOILETS AND SINKS

Gently Used

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

Unusable


TROPHIES

  • Unwanted trophies can be donated to local thrift stores. As with any donated item, it is best to call ahead to confirm that they are accepted prior to drop-off.

WATER HEATERS


Didn't find what you were looking for?

Visit the Orange County Recycling Guide for more disposal resources.

CMSD does not endorse any of the businesses listed on this webpage.