Large Item Collection Service

Tips for Moving

You're moving; you probably have a lot of work ahead of you. Read below for useful tips and resources to help you save money and make sustainable choices before, during, and after your move.

Save Money on Packing Materials
Choose to reuse instead of wasting your money buying new packing materials for one-time use. Prepare for your move months or weeks before your moving date by collecting useful items like boxes, bubble wrap, newspaper, and other packing materials. Ask your friends and neighbors to save boxes and packing materials from their online purchases. Many retail stores are happy to give away cardboard boxes they no longer need and would otherwise have to recycle. This strategy will save you money and conserve resources.

College Move-out
Are you moving out of the college dorms or your college apartment? Many of the supplies a person needs while living in a dorm or shared apartment during college are no longer needed when they move on to the next stage of life. Network with those just starting their journey and offer up for sale or for free things like bedsheets and linens that only fit uniquely-sized dorm beds. Repurpose or share storage containers and closet organizers that organize tight living spaces. Don't throw away your textbooks! You can sell them back to the college bookstore, sell them online, and even donate them to charity organizations, like Goodwill, that match your textbook title and edition with students nationwide.

Junk Mail Tip
Don't allow your junk mail to follow you!
First, change your mailing address directly with all your important contacts, such as your bank, credit cards, and cell phone carrier (this can be done online or by calling them). Then, file a temporary change of address with your post office rather than a permanent change of address. This strategy will reduce the amount of junk mail that follows you to the new place. The U.S. Postal Service sells lists of permanent address changes to direct marketers but doesn't bother doing so with temporary address changes.

After the Move

Moving Boxes
Reuse: Offer these items to others on social media or the digital platforms listed above.
Recycle: Flatten and take to the building’s recycling area. Do you have a lot of boxes? No problem! All Salinas Valley Recycles locations accept your flattened cardboard boxes for recycling at no cost. Click here for a list of their locations.

Polystyrene Packing Peanuts (commonly known as “Styrofoam”):
Reuse: Drop off at a mailing center (like FedEx or UPS).
Trash: Polystyrene is not recyclable in your mixed recycling cart. If you are unable to find an outlet for reuse, place this item in your trash cart.

Newspaper and Packing Paper:
Reuse: Offer these items to others on social media or the digital platforms mentioned above.
Recycle: Place in your residential or apartment complex recycling container.

Bubble Wrap:
Reuse: Try local shipping stores and mailing centers to see if they accept it. Offer these items to others on social media or the sharing economy digital platforms mentioned above.
Trash: Plastic film is not recyclable in your mixed recycling cart. When all else fails, place bubble wrap in your trash container.

Household Items In GOOD Condition (furniture, books, electronics, appliances, and clothing):
Reuse: Drop off these items for donation at local reuse organizations. Offer them to others on social media or the digital platforms mentioned above.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) And Non-Working Electronics:
Click here to learn more about HHW
This includes all chemicals, paints, fertilizers, cleaners, etc., that you no longer want or need. HHW disposal with Salinas Valley Recycles is free to residential customers.

FREE Services & Services for a Fee:

This shouldn't have to be said, but sadly, we must: Please do not dump your garbage, mattresses, furniture, or appliances on our beautiful Salinas Valley roadways. Illegal dumping is just plain wrong! Don’t leave your garbage for someone else to deal with. Ultimately, the fees catch up with everyone through higher disposal fees and taxes. Whether you realize it or not, we all pay the price for illegal dumping.

LARGE Household Items In POOR Condition (broken furniture, mattresses and box springs, etc.):
Dispose: Never place large items such as sofas, tires, or mattresses in a dumpster or leave them by your waste enclosure. Call your property manager to arrange for a special pick-up. Or take it to one of the many Salinas Valley Recycles locations for recycling or landfill disposal.  
You can also dispose of many items using our FREE Bulky Item Collection Service.  Call 1-888-678-6798 to make an appointment.

Refrigerators & Large Appliances:
Salinas Valley Recycles accepts appliances such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters, ovens, and stoves at all of its locations in the Salinas Valley at no charge. They will also accept refrigerators, freezers, and water coolers for a small fee.
Note: Refrigerators and freezers are accepted for FREE (or a disposal voucher is provided) during the twice-yearly cleanup events in all cities in the Tri-Cities service area.

Mattresses & Box Springs:
Recycle: Salinas Valley Recycles disposal sites accept mattresses for recycling at NO CHARGE to residential customers.

Car & Small Truck Tires:
Salinas Valley Recycles accepts car and small truck tires at all its locations in the Salinas Valley for a small fee. Tires cannot be landfilled. One to two times per year, it offers a FREE tire collection. Visit the Salinas Valley Recycles website for information on these FREE tire collection events.

Salinas Valley Recycles Recycling Center & Hazardous Waste Facility
1104 Madison Lane, Salinas, CA 93907 831-424-5535

Salinas Valley Recycles Johnson Canyon Landfill
31400 Johnson Canyon Road, Gonzales, CA 93901 831-675-2165

Salinas Valley Recycles Jolon Road Transfer Station
52654 Jolon Road, King City, CA  93930 831-385-6213

Toner Printer Cartridges
Printer Cartridges that cannot be mailed back to the manufacturer with an enclosed prepaid shipping label can be dropped off at the following locations for recycling:
Office Max
1241 N. Davis Road, Salinas, 831-755-0990