Recology (San Carlos) e-waste   

The San Carlos e-waste drop-off is located in the Recology complex at 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos.  Approaching from the south (Holly Avenue), it's the first driveway past Lyngo Garden Materials.  Approaching from the north (Ralston/Oracle Parkway), it's the last driveway in the complex. right before you reach Lyngso.  Look for the sign in the photo below that reads Gate 1:  Public Recycling Center / Main Entrance.  Open 8:30 AM - 4 PM  Monday-Saturday.  It gets crowded on Saturday from about 11 AM to about 2:30 PM so try to drop off during the week or outside this busy window.   When you enter the Recology complex, make the first left into the recycling area and the attendant will direct you where to drop off your stuff.  E-waste goes on the left side, about halfway down, in the large cardboard bins.

In addition to e-waste, you can also recycle cardboard, mixed paper, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, paint, soda bottles, aluminum cans, scrap metal, and other items.  Details are on their website  

https://rethinkwaste.org/shoreway-environmental-center/location-hours/

Staples Office supply stores (Menlo Park, Cupertino, and elsewhere)

Detailed information on Staples recycling is available here.  Every Staples office supply store will take e-waste on a space-available basis, provide they have room, and if it is an item category that they actually sell - such as laptop computers, desktop computers, monitors, printers, ethernet switches or routers, modems, keyboards, mice, etc.  Phone the store to see if they have room, and you will need to fill out this form or use their Staples Connect app.  You can print out the form and bring it with you, or the employees can give you a form to fill out when you arrive at the store. 

Best Buy electronics stores

Detailed information on Best Buy recycling is available here.  Most Best Buy locations will recycle e-waste for the public, even if you didn't buy it there.   Phone ahead to check that they have room in their bin.  The San Carlos store is located at 1127 Industrial Road, San Carlos, in the mini-shopping center behind TJ Maxx.  The driveway into this shopping center is opposite Howard Avenue.  The San Carlos store phone number is 650-622-0050.  The Mountain View Best Buy is at 715 E. El Camino Real, just south/east of the 85 freeway.  Their phone is 408-738-8680.

You can recycle e-waste at Stanford University.  They have two different locations for different types of e-waste.  Both are open to the public.  You do not need to be affiliated with Stanford to use these services.

Public self-service drop-off for small items (cell phones, wires, hair dryers, power adapters, etc.)

The public self-service drop-off location for small items is located at 701 Serra Street, Stanford (Palo Alto).  The self-service location cannot accept items that are too large to fit into their recycling barrels.  When driving down Serra Street from El Camino Real, it will be the second place you can turn right, about 300 feet past Pampas Street.  If you get to the fire station, you went too far.  Park and then walk through the entrance to the public recycling area, where you will find separate bins and barrels for cardboard, plastic, small electronics, glass, scrap metal, etc.  Last time I checked, the barrels for small electronic items were on the right after you walk inside the gate.  Open to the public Monday through Friday 8-5, Saturday 9-5. 

Details are listed here, including a list of items they will accept. 

Drop-off for larger electronic items (laptop computers, desktop computers, monitors, printers, microwave ovens, etc.)

Last time I checked, they accept e-waste Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM until about 4:00 PM, but they close for lunch from noon – 1:00 PM.  They will ask you to fill out some paperwork, listing how many screens you have (laptop screens, desktop screens, or tablets) and you need to provide your name and contact info. They will write numbers on the screens (computers and monitors) with a Sharpie, so please keep the items with screens separated from the rest of the stuff, so it’s easier for the staff.

recycling@stanford.edu, phone 650-321-4236
339 Bonair Siding Rd, Stanford (If using Google maps, don't use that address since it will send you to the wrong place.)

For Google Maps, use this address:  Stanford Recycling Office, Stanford CA)

From the corner of Serra and Campus Drive, take Campus Drive north.  Make the first right onto Bonair Siding.  Go about 400 feet.  Immediately before the sign “pedestrian crossing” and the speed bump, turn right into the driveway marked "339 Bonair Siding, Authorized vehicles only."

On Bonair Siding heading toward El Camino Real, turn right into the driveway just before the pedestrian crossing sign.

 

Continue down the drive into the interior parking area

Look for the trailer immediately to the right, with some wooden steps leading up to the door.  You will see a metal cabinet marked "e-waste."  Unload your stuff next to the cabinet, then go into the office and they will give you the paperwork to fill out.