Jurisdiction: Encinitas

Local Scoop

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Simply bring your own containers from home – jars, Tupperware, bags, or boxes – and fill up with as much or as little as you need.

We also provide 100% post-consumer recycled paper bags and have free, sanitized jars in the store if you come without a container.

My Sister’s Closet

Fashion consignment store. Our best sellers (items that bring you the greatest return) are designer handbags and accessories, anything by Chanel, better label workout wear, current style designer clothing, and designer jewelry (both costume and fine jewelry).

Accepts:

  • Designer Clothing
  • Jewelry
  • Handbags
  • Shoes
  • Sunglasses

Healthy Day Partners

Donate your produce to help improve local community health and strengthen the local food system – while reducing food waste! We are partnering with Fresh Food Connect to launch our Homegrown Hunger Relief program in the communities of Encinitas, Carlsbad, Solana Beach and Balboa Park!

Donation Station Locations and times:

  • San Diego Botanic Garden – 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas: Sundays 9:30am-5:00pm

  • Encinitas Library – 540 Cornish Dr, Encinitas: Sundays 9:30am-5:00pm

  • Olivenhain Germania Hotel – 7th & Cole Ranch Rd: Sundays 9:30am-5:00pm

  • Healthy Day Partners Harvest Yard – 425 Raphael Ct. Encinitas: Everyday 9:30am-5:00pm

  • Encinitas Community Garden – for community gardeners only: Sundays 9:30am-5:00pm

  • Village Rock Shop – Carlsbad Village – 2690 State St., Carlsbad Sundays 9:30am-4:00pm

  • Jimbo’s – Carlsbad Forum – 1923 Calle Barcelona, Sundays 9:30am-5:00pm

    Contact Mim with any questions: 714-329-1349

Thrifty Threads

Costuming on a budget? No worries! Thrifty Threads is the perfect costume rental company in San Diego for the more frugal shoppers and renters. Luckily, you don’t have to skimp on quality here. In fact, this is one of the area’s best-reviewed and highly touted costume rental companies. Doubling as a sprawling vintage thrift store, this company has a truly staggering variety of options for everything from masquerade parties to props and gear worthy of big-budget production studios.

Encinitas Library Friends

ALL donations of books in good condition can be brought to the Friends Bookstore. Each donor is limited to four bags/boxes of books per day. We also accept magazine donations at this time.

Friends of the Encinitas Library Bookstore
540 Cornish Dr. Between “D” &  “E” Streets, two blocks east of HWY 101. 
NEW BOOKSTORE HOURS
Sunday 1PM to 4PM
Monday 10AM to 4PM
Tuesday 11AM to 4PM
Wednesday 11AM to 4PM
Thursday 10AM to 4PM
Friday 10AM to 4PM
Saturday 10AM to 4PM

Kohl’s (Plastic Bag & Film Recycling) – Encinitas

THIS CENTER IS ACCEPTING PLASTIC BAGS AT THIS TIME!

With drop-off bins located near the front of their stores nationwide, it’s now easier than ever for customers to help the environment while shopping at Kohl’s. They accept plastic film packing, shopping bags, bread bags, ziplock bags, and dry-cleaning bags. You can also recycle hangers at Kohl’s. Please drop off your clean and dry items here!

Sephora Beauties Repurposed Recycling Program | Encinitas

Beauty (Re)Purposed aims to simplify the process and provide consumers with clear directions on how they can help divert beauty packaging from landfills. Here’s how it works:

  • Clean it out: At home, make sure the packaging is clean, unbagged, and free of liquid or product.
  • Drop it off: Visit any U.S. or Canadian Sephora store* and drop your empties that meet Pact’s collection guidelines in the dedicated collection bin. To find a participating location, please visit www.pactcollective.org/locations.
  • Close the loop: All done! Instead of being thrown away, the beauty empties could become something else.

For more information, please contact:

Su Patel, DeVries Global
spatel@devriesglobal.com

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

This organization receives food donations from businesses to distribute to clients and community.  Food can be picked up on-site on Thursdays from 2-4pm.  Other services are offered on-site.  Check St. Andrew’s website for details about dropping off non-perishables and other services available for those in need or for volunteer opportunities.

Ralphs – Encinitas Village Square

Be a Zero Hero and Recycle Plastic!

Always check to see what you can recycle through your local curbside collection program.
If you can’t recycle it there, Kroger also offers these easy options for harder-to-recycle items:

HOW: Collect clean & dry plastic films from packaging at home and bring back to bins at the front of stores

WHAT: Plastic Film & Packaging

Grocery & retail shopping bags (remove receipts and remove hard plastic & string handles) Outer package wrapping (toilet paper, paper towels, diapers)
Dry cleaning bags Resealable zipper bags*
News paper sleeves & bags Produce bags*
Shipping materials (shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, air pillows (deflated)) Bread bags*
Case stretch wrap Plastic cereal box liners*

Packaging with instructions to recycle in store drop-off programs
*Recycle these items in EITHER the in-store or mail-in programs

 

 

Plastic Beach Retail Recycling

Retail recycling with Plastic Beach is an easy, hassle-free approach to getting plastic film materials recycled and supporting corporate sustainability programs. Plastic Beach also offers consumer recycling opportunities plus a monthly subscription for $14. Contact them for more information.

They are a non-profit that facilitates plastic film materials recycling at the pre-consumer stage at small and large companies. Based in Southern California, Plastic Beach is a 501(c)3 non-profit that is saving the environment one plastic sheet at a time.

Retailer interested in recycling? Please email or call them at 760-840-7231.

You collect on-site

They provide local businesses with the basic infrastructure to collect their waste plastic bags and plastic film packing material on site (instead of entering the trash stream).

They pick up and distribute

Businesses hold the plastic film in a bulk container for our regular collection and onward delivery to recycling companies by our volunteer team.

Volume reported for branding

They track each business’ recycling volume weight to inform their customers and stakeholders on their programs success.

 

 

SanEtizeIT

Trash – Recycling – Green – Compost bins and dumpsters, plus power washing.

We don’t just clean it… We San-E-tize IT!

Proudly Serving

Encinitas
Carlsbad
Cardiff
Solana Beach
Del Mar
Rancho Santa Fe
Oceanside
San Marcos

Patagonia Trade In and Worn Wear Program

Pantagonia has a Worn Wear program where you are able to trade in or mail in used Pantagonia garments that are still in good condition in exchange for store credit. They also offer a used clothing section as well as repair services in order to expand the lifespan of clothing and keep them out the landfill.

Leucadia Certified Farmers Market

The Leucadia Farmers Market is a Family Friendly Certified Farmers Market consisting of 75+ vendors and takes place on Sundays at 12PM.

The Coastal Roots Farm Market is at 441 Saxony Rd. Thursdays from 2-6pm.  For more info call 760-479-6505.

Vons – CRV In-Store Redemption Center – Encinitas

This Vons offers CRV in-store redemption for empty, mostly clean and dry containers in a sturdy bag during store hours.

CalRecycle’s website notifies Californians of local retailers who are obligated to offer CRV redemption in-store when there is no buyback center nearby.  See below on CRV redemption sites near you.

Beverage dealers, retailers that sell CRV beverages, share an obligation to ensure convenient redemption opportunities for consumers.  If a beverage dealer is located in an “unserved Convenience zone” and there is no recycling center nearby, these retailers are required to either redeem CRV material in-store (Option A), or opt to pay a fee of $100 per day (Option B).

View a list of “Option A” dealers. https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Markets/RecyclingClosures/

The most efficient and effective way to lodge a complaint against a recycling center or an Option A retailer and initiate a CalRecycle inspection of that entity is by emailing your name, phone number, a brief summary of the issue, and the name and address of the subject of your complaint to: complaints@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Target – CRV In-Store Redemption Center – Encinitas

Recycling at Target

Since 2010, our recycling kiosks have given guests an easy way to recycle plastic bags, MP3 players, ink cartridges and cell phones right in their local store. The goal of the program is to extend our company recycling efforts, and so far, the program has kept thousands of tons of recycled materials out of landfills.

We also host twice-annual car seat trade-in events during which guests can bring in expired car seats and receive a coupon in return. Learn more about current and upcoming program details.

This Target offers CRV in-store redemption for empty, mostly clean and dry recyclable containers during in-store hours. CalRecycle’s website notifies Californians of local retailers who are obligated to offer CRV redemption in-store when there is no buyback center nearby.  See below on how to check for redemption sites open to the public.

Beverage dealers, retailers that sell CRV beverages, share an obligation to ensure convenient redemption opportunities for consumers.  If a beverage dealer is located in an “unserved Convenience zone” and there is no recycling center nearby, these retailers are required to either redeem CRV material in-store (Option A), or opt to pay a fee of $100 per day (Option B).

View a list of “Option A” dealers. https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Markets/RecyclingClosures/

The most efficient and effective way to lodge a complaint against a recycling center or an Option A retailer and initiate a CalRecycle inspection of that entity is by emailing your name, phone number, a brief summary of the issue, and the name and address of the subject of your complaint to: complaints@calrecycle.ca.gov.

 

Smart & Final – CRV In-Store Redemption Center – Encinitas

CalRecycle’s website notifies Californians of local retailers who are obligated to offer CRV redemption in-store when there is no buyback center nearby.

Beverage dealers, retailers that sell CRV beverages, share an obligation to ensure convenient redemption opportunities for consumers.  If a beverage dealer is located in an “unserved Convenience zone” and there is no recycling center nearby, these retailers are required to either redeem CRV material in-store (Option A), or opt to pay a fee of $100 per day (Option B).

View a list of “Option A” dealers. https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Markets/RecyclingClosures/

The most efficient and effective way to lodge a complaint against a recycling center or an Option A retailer and initiate a CalRecycle inspection of that entity is by emailing your name, phone number, a brief summary of the issue, and the name and address of the subject of your complaint to: complaints@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Rite Aid – CRV In-Store Redemption Center – Encinitas

Rite Aid offers in-store CRV redemption for empty and mostly clean and dry containers during store hours.

CalRecycle’s website notifies Californians of local retailers who are obligated to offer CRV redemption in-store when there is no buyback center nearby.

Beverage dealers, retailers that sell CRV beverages, share an obligation to ensure convenient redemption opportunities for consumers.  If a beverage dealer is located in an “unserved Convenience zone” and there is no recycling center nearby, these retailers are required to either redeem CRV material in-store (Option A), or opt to pay a fee of $100 per day (Option B).

View a list of “Option A” dealers. https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Markets/RecyclingClosures/

The most efficient and effective way to lodge a complaint against a recycling center or an Option A retailer and initiate a CalRecycle inspection of that entity is by emailing your name, phone number, a brief summary of the issue, and the name and address of the subject of your complaint to: complaints@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Lazy Acres – CRV In-Store Redemption Center – Encinitas

Lazy Acres offers in-store CRV redemption for empty, mostly clean and dry containers in a sturdy bag during store hours. 

CalRecycle’s website notifies Californians of local retailers who are obligated to offer CRV redemption in-store when there is no buyback center nearby.

Beverage dealers, retailers that sell CRV beverages, share an obligation to ensure convenient redemption opportunities for consumers.  If a beverage dealer is located in an “unserved Convenience zone” and there is no recycling center nearby, these retailers are required to either redeem CRV material in-store (Option A), or opt to pay a fee of $100 per day (Option B).

View a list of “Option A” dealers. https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Markets/RecyclingClosures/

The most efficient and effective way to lodge a complaint against a recycling center or an Option A retailer and initiate a CalRecycle inspection of that entity is by emailing your name, phone number, a brief summary of the issue, and the name and address of the subject of your complaint to: complaints@calrecycle.ca.gov.

 

CVS – CRV In-Store Redemption Center – Encinitas

This site offers CRV in-store redemption for empty, mostly clean and dry recyclable materials in a sturdy bag during business hours.

CalRecycle’s website notifies Californians of local retailers who are obligated to offer CRV redemption in-store when there is no buyback center nearby.

Beverage dealers, retailers that sell CRV beverages, share an obligation to ensure convenient redemption opportunities for consumers.  If a beverage dealer is located in an “unserved Convenience zone” and there is no recycling center nearby, these retailers are required to either redeem CRV material in-store (Option A), or opt to pay a fee of $100 per day (Option B).

View a list of “Option A” dealers. https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Markets/RecyclingClosures/

The most efficient and effective way to lodge a complaint against a recycling center or an Option A retailer and initiate a CalRecycle inspection of that entity is by emailing your name, phone number, a brief summary of the issue, and the name and address of the subject of your complaint to: complaints@calrecycle.ca.gov.

 

Shred Nations – The UPS Store (West Encinitas)

On average, hard drive destruction costs anywhere from $4–$12 per drive. When quantity goes up, price per drive will go down.

Whether you need mobile shredding services, immediate shredding service for a large volume of confidential documents, or a low-volume document destruction solution, Shred Nations can help.

We all have old CRT and projection TV’s at our house, office, business or in storage that we don’t know what to do with. Unfortunately, you can’t throw them in the trash because it is against the law and the toxins are very bad for the environment. The good news is that we can help you find the best place for TV disposal services.

Computer disposal and recycling is easy. Our partners will pick up the materials and transfer them to a secure recycling and disposal facility. Once there, the computers will be dismantled and hard drives will be destroyed through a number of methods. The parts that can be recycled will be recycled and melted for new parts or wholesale.

Once the process is complete, you will receive a certificate of destruction so that you have verifiable proof that the data on the hard drive has been destroyed.

 

Shred Nations – The UPS Store (Encinitas)

On average, hard drive destruction costs anywhere from $4–$12 per drive. When quantity goes up, price per drive will go down.

Whether you need mobile shredding services, immediate shredding service for a large volume of confidential documents, or a low-volume document destruction solution, Shred Nations can help.

We all have old CRT and projection TV’s at our house, office, business or in storage that we don’t know what to do with. Unfortunately, you can’t throw them in the trash because it is against the law and the toxins are very bad for the environment. The good news is that we can help you find the best place for TV disposal services.

Computer disposal and recycling is easy. Our partners will pick up the materials and transfer them to a secure recycling and disposal facility. Once there, the computers will be dismantled and hard drives will be destroyed through a number of methods. The parts that can be recycled will be recycled and melted for new parts or wholesale.

Once the process is complete, you will receive a certificate of destruction so that you have verifiable proof that the data on the hard drive has been destroyed.

 

Shred Nations – Postal Annex (Encinitas)

On average, hard drive destruction costs anywhere from $4–$12 per drive. When quantity goes up, price per drive will go down.

Whether you need mobile shredding services, immediate shredding service for a large volume of confidential documents, or a low-volume document destruction solution, Shred Nations can help.

We all have old CRT and projection TV’s at our house, office, business or in storage that we don’t know what to do with. Unfortunately, you can’t throw them in the trash because it is against the law and the toxins are very bad for the environment. The good news is that we can help you find the best place for TV disposal services.

Computer disposal and recycling is easy. Our partners will pick up the materials and transfer them to a secure recycling and disposal facility. Once there, the computers will be dismantled and hard drives will be destroyed through a number of methods. The parts that can be recycled will be recycled and melted for new parts or wholesale.

Once the process is complete, you will receive a certificate of destruction so that you have verifiable proof that the data on the hard drive has been destroyed.

 

Shred Nations – East Encinitas (Postal Corner)

On average, hard drive destruction costs anywhere from $4–$12 per drive. When quantity goes up, price per drive will go down.

Whether you need mobile shredding services, immediate shredding service for a large volume of confidential documents, or a low-volume document destruction solution, Shred Nations can help.

We all have old CRT and projection TV’s at our house, office, business or in storage that we don’t know what to do with. Unfortunately, you can’t throw them in the trash because it is against the law and the toxins are very bad for the environment. The good news is that we can help you find the best place for TV disposal services.

Computer disposal and recycling is easy. Our partners will pick up the materials and transfer them to a secure recycling and disposal facility. Once there, the computers will be dismantled and hard drives will be destroyed through a number of methods. The parts that can be recycled will be recycled and melted for new parts or wholesale.

Once the process is complete, you will receive a certificate of destruction so that you have verifiable proof that the data on the hard drive has been destroyed.

 

Cardiff by the Sea Library

Did you know you can safely recycle your batteries for free by taking them to 14 San Diego County Library branches?

That’s right, the library. It’s not just for books; it’s for batteries too!

Just bring them to the battery drop-off bins located inside the 14 branches. The libraries primarily collect standard alkaline batteries — Cs, Ds, AAs, AAAs, 9-volts, you name it. But they can also take rechargeable batteries; lithium batteries must be bagged separately.

Please tape positive end of batteries to reduce flammability and place batteries in a resealable bag.

Donated Materials Policy

The San Diego County Library is no longer accepting physical donations of materials for the collection, with the exception of items produced by local authors or musicians.

The Library purchases materials at steep discounts that come with labels, barcodes and covers, ready for customer use. It is more expensive to accept a donation and prepare it for circulation than it is for the Library to purchase a title that comes prepared by our vendors. If you would like to support the Library’s collection, we encourage you to donate funds for the purchase of physical and digital materials for our communities.

If you are looking for an organization to donate your books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, or magazines to, consider contacting one of the organizations below:

Your Branch Friends of the Library
Many branch Friends of the Library groups accept book donations for their book sales. Please check their websites or phone ahead to ensure that your donation can be accepted at this time. Items donated to the Friends of the Library are sold to support San Diego County Library branch collections and events.

Salvation Army (books, DVDs, CDs)
1-800-728-7825

Goodwill (books, DVDs, CDs)
1-800-GOODWILL

Amvets (books, DVDs, CDs)
877-990-8387

Vietnam Veterans of America (books, DVDs, CDs)
877-775-8387

Father Joe’s Villages (books, DVDs, CDs – limit 5 boxes):
1-800-HOMELESS

Kids Need to Read (like new kids’ books)
480-256-0115

Bridge to Asia (books)
510-665-3998

You can also recycle books and magazines in your recycle bins, particularly if they are damaged or outdated.

Discounted Rain Barrels – County Residents

Rain Water – Catch It San Diego County! Order your rain barrels today and save.

The County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program and Solana Center for Environmental Innovation have teamed up to offer discounted rain barrels. Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water, prevent pollution runoff, and can help lower your water bill.

 

  • SoCal WaterSmart Rebate: Apply for $35 rebate after purchase, available for most San Diego region residents. Rebate is limited to two barrels per person. Rebate dependent on application approval. Read more about rebate in FAQ. Rebates generously provided by the San Diego Water Authority. Visit SoCalWaterSmart.com for details and to determine your eligibility or contact at (888) 376-3314 for inquiries.
  • Unincorporated County Rebates: The County of San Diego has added an additional $30 to the above rebate (total $65 return). They also have an additional rebate per gallon saved. County rebates available to unincorporated County residents only. See County Rebate site for details.

Mark Mendelson Sharpening Service – Thursdays – Cardiff by the Sea

Knives

Knife

Amount
Under 3 inch $3
Under 10 inch $4
10 inch or over $5 – $6
Cleavers $3 – $6
All serrated $1 extra
Removal of heel & reshape $2 extra

Garden Tools

Tools/Blades

Amount
Pruners $4
Trimmers/Hand $4
Loppers $5
Hedge Trimmer $7
Tree Trimmer $5
Hand Edger $5
Hatchets $5
Ax (1 side) $6
Ax (2 side) $10
Pick (1 side) $5
Pick (both ends) $9
Hoe $3 – $5
Shovel $5
Machete $8 – $12

Work Schedule (Call before going)

Monday, 9 AM – 3 PM: Sprouts Market, 4439 Genesse Ave, San Diego (Clairemont)

Tuesday, 9 AM – 3 PM: Sprouts Market, 1327 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas

Thursday, 9 AM – 3 PM: Seaside Market, 2087 San Elijo Ave, Cardiff by the Sea

Wednesday & Saturday, 9 AM – 3 PM: Sprouts Market, 3315 Rosecrans St, San Diego (Point Loma)

Mark Mendelson Sharpening Service – Tuesdays – Encinitas

Knives

Knife

Amount
Under 3 inch $3
Under 10 inch $4
10 inch or over $5 – $6
Cleavers $3 – $6
All serrated $1 extra
Removal of heel & reshape $2 extra

Garden Tools

Tools/Blades

Amount
Pruners $4
Trimmers/Hand $4
Loppers $5
Hedge Trimmer $7
Tree Trimmer $5
Hand Edger $5
Hatchets $5
Ax (1 side) $6
Ax (2 side) $10
Pick (1 side) $5
Pick (both ends) $9
Hoe $3 – $5
Shovel $5
Machete $8 – $12

Work Schedule

Monday, 9 AM – 3 PM: Sprouts Market, 4439 Genesse Ave, San Diego (Clairemont)

Tuesday, 9 AM – 3 PM: Sprouts Market, 1327 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas

Thursday, 9 AM – 3 PM: Seaside Market, 2087 San Elijo Ave, Cardiff by the Sea

Wednesday & Saturday, 9 AM – 3 PM: Sprouts Market, 3315 Rosecrans St, San Diego (Point Loma)

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation (Food Cycle Program)

Solana Center offers Food Cycle, a composting program for local homes and businesses. Instead of throwing food waste away, customers can drop-off their food waste at Solana Center’s facility and have it processed into organic soil. Participating customers may also return once the compost is processed to take home free organic soil great for gardening.

The Food Cycle processing center also acts as a demonstration project for hyper-local food waste diversion. The service is kept low-cost thanks to generous donations from our sponsors.

Help us close the loop between organic waste and healthy soil in San Diego; enroll in our Food Cycle Program today!

Check out our FAQ page or contact foodcycle@solanacenter.org if you have additional questions.

How does it work?

It’s easy! Food Cycle members can add all types of food waste because we use the bokashi method of composting, which increases the types of acceptable waste. Bokashi pre-processing allows participants to dispose of all organic material (including proteins) and to retain until the bucket is full. This pre-composting step allows stockpiling for fewer drop-offs by participants and reduces potential odors and vectors. Find out more about bokashi here.

  1. Become a member: Residents can join the Food Cycle program with a $52 start-up package which includes a 5-gallon bucket, bokashi bran, and an option between two monthly membership fees:

      • Basic Membership is $15/month, covering 1 full bucket drop-off each visit
      • Expanded Membership is $25/month, covering 2 full buckets each visit
      • Signing up for your business? Contact Solana Center directly for business-specific details and pricing.

  2. Set up your system: Bring home your food collection 5-gallon bucket and bokashi bran. We’ll walk you through how it all works when you sign up, but here are some tips!

  3. Divert your food scraps: Collect all food waste at home or in the office into the 5-gallon bucket. Sprinkle bokashi bran on top of every 2-3 inches of food waste and keep the lid sealed to reduce odors. Repeat until the bucket is full.

  4. Swap out at Solana Center: Once the bucket is full, bring it back to Solana Center for processing and collect a new clean bucket.

Encinitas City Hall

Encinitas Lions Club Eyeglass Collection Location – Lions In Sight

Donate glasses and change someone’s life! Check out their list on what to donate here.

How to get your eyeglasses and other items to Lions In Sight:

  • Deliver your eyeglasses to a drop off location listed here.  Drop off locations are unable to accept printer and toner cartridges.  A spreadsheet of drop off locations is available here.

  • Mail your items to the Lions In Sight warehouse  at 1404 Lemon Street, Vallejo, CA 94590

  • For Lions Clubs only: you may use this shipping label.

  • Give to a Lions Club member.

Seaside Bazaar

Weekend open-air market offers antiques, arts/crafts, clothing, home decor.

Hours: 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday during the summer, and 9am-4pm in the winter.

Stater Bros. – Encinitas

THIS LOCATIONS IS STILL ACCEPTING PLASTIC BAGS FOR RECYCLING AT THIS TIME.

Drop-box is located inside the store.  Please recycle only clean, dry plastic bags and film. Remove receipts or any other items from bags.

Produce Good Volunteer Events

Join our Community Orchard of volunteers who rescue tons of whole fruits and vegetables 52 weeks a year, for those who need it most.

Help us recover unwanted fruits and vegetables in order to feed the 1 in 3 people of San Diego County who do not know where their next meal is coming from. Join other volunteers of all ages, abilities and beliefs to collect unsold produce at farmers markets or harvest fruit or veggies in backyard orchards or small farms–together we will solve the problem of hunger and waste in one sweet step.

You commit to only one event at a time, register and sign a waiver online, and show up as promised to help get the job done.

All programs take place at sites in SD County. Volunteers must have reliable transportation unless they live within the environs of one of our event sites.

See our website for various volunteer opportunities & details. 

REI – Encinitas

REI Encinitas has a full-service in-store bike shop for those who love to adventure on two wheels (Or want to learn. Beginners welcome!). Our expert technicians offer a comprehensive range of services to tune, repair, and enhance the performance of your mountain, road, hybrid or e-bike.

They offer custom services, too. Call us any time or bring in your bike for a free inspection and estimate. Also, if you’re looking for gear advice or local know-how, come talk to us. We’re happy to share what we know. Our goal: Get you out riding with a smile.

 

LensCrafters (OneSight Program) – Encinitas Ranch Town Center

LensCrafters accepts eyewear donations to be responsibly recycled. Small quantities of eyewear can also be dropped off at local Pearle Vision and Target Optical locations.

Large quantities should be shipped at the donor’s expense directly to the eyewear processing center:

Optical Village OneSight Center – 9923 International Blvd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

 

 

Rancho Coastal Humane Society Thrift Shop

Donations for Thrift Shop

Please bring donations to the front of the shop.

If there is space, and you have a several boxes or bags, please feel free to pull up to the loading area at the front of the shop.

They accept new or used donations from 10 am to 5 pm, everyday.

They can only accept donations if they are clean and dry and in working and usable condition, suitable for immediate resale. Used clothing should be washed or dry-cleaned and in good repair. Also, they do not accept donations when it is raining unless packaged for the rain.

What to Donate

Donations of new or used merchandise are accepted at the shop during regular business hours. Please do not deliver Thrift Shop donations to the shelter.

For a full list of accepted and not accepted items, please visit their donation page.

How Your Donation Helps

When you donate quality items to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society Thrift Shop, you help them to support the homeless animals under their care. The money earned from the resale of your unneeded clothing, jewelry, household goods, furniture, etc., goes directly to help pay for food, shelter, medical and adoption expenses as we work to provide forever-homes to homeless companion animals.

If you have large items of furniture and no means to drop them off, they provide pick up service for large merchandise. Please call 760-753-0970 to schedule.

Please call the Thrift Shop if you have questions about your donation.

Cecily’s Closet

Cecily’s Closet partners with the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) organization of San Diego to help make recycled medical equipment available to families in need. The UCP accepts and recycles pediatric and adult durable medical equipment to families at no cost. Available items are posted to our Facebook page. You can also visit our website to connect with resources we offer or to make a donation.

Cecily’s Closet encourages parents to make donated equipment available to families in need directly through the Cecily’s Closet website.

The process is simple:

1) Send a picture and a description of your item to info@cecilyscloset.org or post directly to the Cecily’s Closet page on Facebook or

2) Cecily’s Closet will post the item to Facebook.

3) Once they find an interested party they ask the interested party to pick it up directly from the donor.

Belly Bands – for kids with feeding tubes

Cecily’s Closet provides FREE belly bands for children in San Diego.
Contact Contact  Rhonda Van Eklenberg at 858- 571-7803 for further assistance.

Happy Hauling

Happy Hauling provides trash and Junk Removal for all of San Diego and its surrounding areas.

Happy Hauling strives to recycle everything they can.

Postal Annex – Encinitas

This location accepts packaging materials in good condition for reuse. Call to confirm accepted materials.

This location offers paper shredding services.

Community Resource Center (Encinitas Social Services Office)

The CRC accepts donation drop offs for the following groups:

  • Carol’s House- a domestic violence emergency shelter.
  • The Therapeutic Children’s Center- provides a safe and healthy environment for children recovering from the traumatic effects of domestic violence.
  • The Food and Nutrition program- provides access to healthy food and other items for individuals working towards self sufficiency.

For more information, please visit www.CRCNCC.org

View the donation wish list here.

You may also donate motorcycles, boats, RVs … even quads!

Vehicle donation pick-up is free and most vehicles can be picked up within 24-72 hours.

For complete information and to schedule a pick-up: http://www.careasy.org/nonprofit/community-resource-center

Questions? Please call (855) 500-RIDE.

How to drop off donations: 

We are offering contact-less donation drop-offs Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm via the alley behind CRC’s office at 650 Second St. in Encinitas. There you will find a donations table with donation receipts. You may leave your donations there, or if you need help unloading items, please look for a staff person in the doorway to the Food & Nutrition Center (to the right of the donations table) or contact Cindy Collins at 760-230-6307.

Brad’s Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair Shop

This location accepts used motor oil and used oil filters at no charge but NOT transmission fluid.

Oil contaminated with water, gas, or other automotive fluids will not be accepted. Call 1-800-237-BLUE to find the nearest household hazardous waste collection center.

Call this Used Oil Certified Collection Center to ensure hours, program participation, and to set up an appointment.

 

Postal Depot – Encinitas

This location accepts packaging materials in good condition for reuse. Call to confirm accepted materials.

Styrofoam packing peanuts

Bubble Pack Packaging

Air Pillows

Note: Because of special requirements for insured packages they are unable to reuse boxes. Only bring clean materials for recycling—no dirty, torn or unusable boxes or peanuts please.

Call 760.436.1250 to find out if something else is acceptable for recycling.

This location offers paper shredding services.

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation

Programs and Workshops

Solana Center provides a “library” of garden tools that are available for check out by members of the San Diego County community. The goal of the library is to support San Diego County residents with their garden projects at homes, schools, and community gardens.

Bokashi compost drop-off available through a residential pilot program, call for more details.

See their calendar of free events and workshops by clicking here.

Rebates

Rain Barrel Rebates available through The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s SoCal WaterSmart Program. Get one today for $55 or less after rebates!
Click here for details on rebates and how to apply.

Looking to start composting at home? Check here for the ways to purchase discounted compost bins throughout San Diego County.v

 

Bike Repair Clinic Workshop | 1st Saturday of each month | Encinitas

Located at El Camino Bike Shop

Service clinics teach you how to keep your bike running smoothly, and to feel more confident and self-reliant when you’re riding alone. This is a basic class that will teach flat repair and tire inflation, proper cleaning and lubrication and what you need to carry when you are out on the road or trail.

These FREE classes are held the 1st Saturday morning of each month, starting promptly at 9 AM. Park in the back of the store and come in through the rear door.

Call (760) 436-2340 or email to make a reservation.

Pep Boys – Encinitas

This location accepts used motor oil and oil filters plus car/motorcycle batteries at no charge. Limit 5-gal of used motor oil per person per day.

To transport a used vehicle battery, set it in a cardboard box that is layered with newspaper in case the battery leaks. Make sure the battery stays upright and doesn’t tip. You should also wear gloves for extra protection!

Oil contaminated with water, gas, or other automotive fluids will not be accepted. Call 1-800-237-BLUE to find the nearest household hazardous waste collection center.

Call this Used Oil Certified Collection Center to ensure hours and program participation.

PC Repair Center – Encinitas

Laptop or Desktop Computer & Electronics Repair Specialists Tech Shop. Friendly and knowledgeable support and service. They can fix your Laptop, Desktop, Company I.T service and Cloud services iPhone / iPad whether it be to repair a cracked or broken iPhone screen. They can fix or replace damaged screens, glass, lcd, batteries, dock connectors, headphone jacks, buttons, etc. They can also repair any software problems including update and restore. Other software services include fixing stuck at Apple logo, Connect to iTunes errors, rebooting, etc. They offer complete refurbishing to make your iPhone brand new again as well as water damage salvage.

Patagonia | Cardiff by the Sea | Suga & Rerip Programs

Call before dropping off any items and to confirm program participation. Please make sure all items are fully dry before donating.

ReRip upcycles and repurposes surfboards/paddleboards.

Suga upcycles and repurposes wetsuits into yoga mats (SugaMat)

ReRip: Once collected, boards are inventoried depending on their current state.  Unrideable and broken boards are used by artists and do-it-yourselfers to create unique art pieces.  Rideable boards are repaired to be surfed again.  Some boards are resold; and many are given away to schools, non-profits, and people in need.

Suga: Suga manufactures premium quality yoga mats in the USA from 100% recycled wetsuits. In exchange for your wetsuit, they will also provide you with a 10% discount (if you include your email address with donation).

Swell Stuff Wetsuit Repair

We are a homegrown surf shop in Leucadia, CA specializing in wetsuit repair/alterations and handcrafted surf accessories and gifts.

We encourage everyone to bring us their used unwanted wetsuits to either sell on consignment or recycle. We extend 10% off wetsuit repairs for any donated suits. We are trying to do our best to keep that neoprene out of landfills as long as possible. We also give 20% off our favorite product, the Cinch Sac, with any wetsuit repair or alteration. See you soon in Leucadia!

 

O’Reilly Auto Parts – Encinitas

This location accepts used motor oil, car/motorcycle batteries, household batteries, transmission and power steering fluid, and oil filters at no charge. Limit 5-gal per person per day.

To transport a used vehicle battery, set it in a cardboard box that is layered with newspaper in case the battery leaks. Make sure the battery stays upright and doesn’t tip. You should also wear gloves for extra protection!

Oil contaminated with water, gas, or other automotive fluids will not be accepted. Call 1-800-237-BLUE to find the nearest household hazardous waste collection center.

Call this Used Oil Certified Collection Center to ensure hours and program participation.

Tool Loaner Program

Doing a repair that requires a special tool? O’Reilly Auto Parts makes it easy with our Loaner Tool Program.

We make tough jobs easy with the O’Reilly Auto Parts loaner tool program. With over 80 specialized loaner tools available, we’re sure to have a tool in stock to help you get the job done right the first time. Simply purchase the needed parts and put down a deposit on the loaner tool. Return the tool in the original condition and receive a full refund. Need the tool for the next repair? Just keep it. The deposit is the purchase price. It’s that easy.

Tool availability may vary from store to store, contact your local O’Reilly Auto Parts store to check on the tool you need.

San Diego County North Coastal Sheriff’s Station

Medications 

Medications in standard containers should be emptied and put into clear plastic bags before depositing in collection boxes. Loose medication can be put into plastic bags available at the collection box and then deposited. Please ensure any liquid medication is enclosed in secure containers before depositing.
Once collected, evidence staff will ensure the medication is disposed of according to federal standards.  Collection boxes are located inside the lobby.

Most prescription drug drop-off locations are open weekdays from 8am to 5pm. Call the station’s non-emergency number for hours.

Ammunition

Call the non-emergency number to have an deputy dispatched to your home where they will pick it up.

Station non-emergency number: (760) 966-3500

Sherwin Williams – Encinitas (PaintCare Program)

For Households and Businesses

Restrictions: Limit: 20 gallons per visit. Call ahead for hours and to make sure the store can accept the amount and type of paint you would like to recycle.

For Households:

Please review the detailed list of PaintCare products and non-PaintCare products.

This site accepts latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons in size. This site does not accept aerosols (spray paint or other spray products), containers without original labels, or containers that are leaking or empty.

To be accepted for drop-off, PaintCare products must be in their original containers of no larger than 5 gallons in size, must have the original manufacturer’s printed label on the container, and must be covered with a secured lid. They cannot accept open or leaking cans.

For Businesses:

To use the PaintCare program for oil-based paint, a business must qualify as an exempt generator under federal and any analogous state hazardous waste generator rules. Please visit our Very Small Quantity Generator page for more information on exempt generator rules. If your business does not qualify as an exempt generator, it will not be able to use the program for oil-based paint, but it can still use the program for latex products.

For more information, you can check out the Recycle with PaintCare Brochure.

 

 

 

North County Appliance Repair

SERVICES:
CITIES SERVICED:

Encinitas | Cardiff by the Sea | Carlsbad | Solana Beach | Oceanside | San Elijo Hills | Del Mar | Rancho Santa Fe | Carmel Valley | San Marcos | Vista | Valley Center | Poway |  Escondido | UTC | La Jolla | Camp Pendleton | Fallbrook | Leucadia

Postal Annex – Cardiff

This location accepts packaging materials in good condition for reuse. Call to confirm accepted materials.

This location offers shredding services.

Herman Cook Volkswagen Inc.

Take your used motor oil to this Certified Collection Center. This location accepts used oil filters.

Locate used oil recycling centers in your area by using the form below to search by city, county, or ZIP code. You can also call the Earth’s 911 hotline (1-800-CLEANUP).

 

Hansen Surfboards

Goods for Grades – Get in-store credit for your report cards!

Goods For Grades is an innovative, philanthropic program created by Hansen’s for our community.

Created by longtime Hansen’s employee Patty Bolton in 1996, Goods For Grades has given over one million dollars to young students since its inception. We are honored that students from all over the country now bring their report cards to Hansen’s to redeem them for store credit.

Family owned and operated since 1961, giving back to our community and providing the very best shopping experience possible have been part of our core values since the beginning. We thank our loyal customers for continuing to be a part of the Hansen’s story, and we look forward to seeing all the young ones and rewarding their stellar academic achievements year after year.

Goodwill Donation Storefront – Tierrasanta

Electronics Accepted

Goodwill accepts all types of electronics such as TVs, cell phones, computers, laptops, monitors, printers, tablets, video games consoles! Goodwill will not accept household hazardous waste such as household batteries or fluorescent light bulbs or items with broken/cracked screens.

Schedule Pickup

Goodwill provides free donation pickup services for large furniture and large quantities of items (corporate donations, pallets, 50+ boxes, etc.). Pickups are not available on demand, which may result in up to a one month wait time. For more details or to schedule a pickup, please contact donations customer service at (619) 225-2200 extension 197 or email donate@sdgoodwill.org. Representatives are available Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm.

Large Furniture Accepted

Goodwill accepts large furniture in a reusable or good condition at participating retail stores and donation storefronts. Not all furniture can be accepted, please contact the specific store for more details.

 

 

Goodwill Retail Store | Encinitas

Bookstore, Donate Electronics, Donate Goods, Retail Store 

Gladly accepts donations of new or used clothing, shoes, accessories, books, household goods, and small household appliances at over 50 locations throughout San Diego County. Please use this link to access more information about the items they accept, where you can donate, and the tax information regarding your donations.

Goodwill is a certified “collector” and “handler” of electronic items under State Regulations. Donate electronics, working or not, at over 20 designated electronic donation sites. When you donate electronics to Goodwill, you are helping individuals in our community get jobs and you are helping our environment too! Visit their electronics recycling page for more information!

 

Encinitas Sewing & Vacuum Store

Vacuum Cleaner Repairs​

  • Belt Repairs
  • Worn Beater Bars
  • Old Brushes/Brush Rolls
  • Clogged Intakes
  • Switch Problems
  • Height Lever Repairs
  • Torn Filters
  • Burned Out Motors
  • Loss of Suction

Sewing Machine Repairs​

  • Thread Tension
  • Hook Timing
  • Stitch Formation
  • Cleaning
  • Inspection
  • Lubrication
  • Pedal Repairs

Encinitas Library | Eyeglass Recycling

Encinitas Lions Club Eyeglass Collection Location

Donate glasses and change someone’s life! There is a bin inside the library doors where patrons may donate their used eyeglasses. Wallmart also accepts eyeglass donations or you can go to the Lion’s Club website to see more options, including hearing aid donations.

Donated Materials Policy

Your Branch Friends of the Library
Many branch Friends of the Library groups accept book donations for their book sales. Please check their websites or phone ahead to ensure that your donation can be accepted at this time. Items donated to the Friends of the Library are sold to support San Diego County Library branch collections and events.

  • Friends of the Encinitas Library:
    • The Bookstore is still accepting donations at an off-site location: 465 Ocean Ave., Encinitas. (See Map) No donations will be accepted at the library or the Bookstore storefront until further notice. Please no magazines, only items in good condition.

You can also recycle books and magazines in your recycle bins, particularly if they are damaged or outdated.

Charlie’s Foreign Car Service

This location accepts used motor oil and oil filters at no charge.

Oil contaminated with water, gas, or other automotive fluids will not be accepted. Call 1-800-237-BLUE to find the nearest household hazardous waste collection center.

Call this collection center to ensure hours and program participation.

DJ’s Appliance Service

Appliance repair services for County Coastal communities only.

They repair and install all appliances:
– Washers
– Dryers
– Dishwashers
– Refrigerators
– Ovens
– Ice Makers
– Microwaves
– Garbage Disposals
– Trash Compactors
– Water Works (water heaters)
– Water lines to refrigerators & ice makers

Call for more information.

Apex Appliance Service

At Apex Appliance Service, we believe that the key to our success is customer satisfaction. Since 2001, we have been providing all of San Diego County with a combination of outstanding service and reliability. Apex is an authorized repair center for many major manufacturers.

At time of repair booking, remember to request a military or senior discount and if you plan to us any coupons available on their website.

No haul away or install services, only repair services are offered.  $110 service charge is applied to repair your appliance if you choose Apex to do the repair.

CRC Resale Store | Encinitas

DONATE ITEMS OR HOST A DRIVE

CRC gratefully accepts:

  • Food and personal care items for our Food Distribution Center
  • New or gently-used items for our Resale Stores
  • Household and personal care items for families in our domestic violence shelter
  • Office supplies to help keep our operations costs low

Donations can be dropped off in the alley behind our building on the white table at the following times: Weds through Sat. 10-2pm.  Shopping times are Mon. through Sun. 10-5pm.

Their Food and Nutrition Center has reached capacity with food donations. At the moment they can only accommodate 5-10 bags max during your drop off. If you would like to host a food drive in the near future, please call (760) 753-8300 x 1403.

CRC Resale Store Donation List:

Please review their list of items they cannot accept before you pack up your items to drop off.

Donation days and times are Weds-Sat. 10AM – 2PM.  Donation guidelines: 

  • Due to a high volume of donations, we may need to close donations early. We recommend you call the store first to make sure we can accept your items.
  • Donations must come pre-sorted and pre-boxed or pre-bagged. (So, if you are donating kitchen items, clothing and books, please place into three separate bags/boxes.)
  • Please drop off donations to a resale store team member when the store is open.
  • PLEASE DO NOT leave items when the store is closed. If items are left when the store is closed, we will have to discard them into the trash.
  • Unfortunately, they are not able to pick up donations.

You can also donate your vehicles, running or not!

Best Buy | Encinitas | Electronics Recycling

Best Buy will recycle electronics regardless of where you bought it, how old it is or who made it.

Special instructions:

Consumers may drop off old cell phones, rechargeable batteries, inkjet/toner cartridges, and more at no cost at a kiosk, just inside the door of every single U.S. Best Buy store.

Limit three items per household per day. Recycling is intended for residents only. Products from businesses and organizations, or items that present a health or safety hazard are not accepted.

Fees:

There are no store drop-off fees in California.

Limit two TVs per household per day: Portable TVs, Flat-panel TVs: LCD, plasma, LED smaller than 50″.

Limit two monitors per household per day.

See website for complete list of accepted and unaccepted items, and for coupons.

Pickups of appliances and televisions available, fees may apply.

AutoZone | Encinitas | Used Oil Collection Center

This location accepts used motor oil, oil filters, transmission fluid, and car/motorcycle batteries.

Oil contaminated with water, gas, or other automotive fluids will not be accepted. Call 1-800-237-BLUE to find the nearest household hazardous waste collection center.

Call this Used Oil Certified Collection Center to ensure hours and program participation.

Loan-A-Tool® Program

Need a specialty tool to check a system or make a replacement? With Loan-A-Tool®, you can get the tool from us, return it when you’re done, and save a bundle. Contact store for details and specifics on which tools are available for rental.