Computer Recycling in Santa Barbara, CA

Computers are free for residential customers at MarBorg's Santa Barbara Recycle Facility, free for South Coast residents at the County's Calle Real station, and taken at the City's free HHW events.

See all 7 options

Illustrative item photographDell / Unsplash

Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

7 ways to get rid of a computer in Santa Barbara

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

All 7 Free 4 Drop-off 1 Services & pickup 6

CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · Santa BarbaraNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $85.00
How it works
Book online, set out your computer and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.
Book a pickup →
MarBorg Santa Barbara Recycle Facility (Downtown Recycling Center / ABOP)Drop-off · 132 Nopalitos Way, Santa BarbaraConditions applyFree
Where
132 Nopalitos Way
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Hours
Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost & rules
Computers
Accepted with conditionsFree (documented)
Free for residential customers only.
Full details & sources Official site (opens in new tab)
City of Santa Barbara Household Hazardous Waste Collection EventsCity service · Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara residentsFree
How it works
Free HHW collection events for City residents several times a year at the La Playa Stadium parking lot (2-C), Santa Barbara City College, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Listed dates: Nov 14, 2026; Mar 6 and Jun 12, 2027.
Official page (opens in new tab)
South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station (County of Santa Barbara)County service · Santa Barbara CountyConditions applyFree
How it works
County-run station at 4430 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, open Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; (805) 681-4345. Free for South Coast and Santa Ynez Valley residents: auto batteries, large appliances and household electronics; mattresses and box springs free for residents (up to five a day). Tires, cardboard and metal are accepted for a fee.
Cost & rules
- Free for South Coast and Santa Ynez Valley residents.
Official page (opens in new tab)
California Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling ProgramState program · CaliforniaOpen to everyoneConditions applyFree
How it works
Statewide program under the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, run by CalRecycle with DTSC and CDTFA and funded by a recycling fee paid when buying covered devices. Approved collectors are paid to take covered video display devices (TVs, monitors, laptops, tablets and other screens over 4 inches) and, since Jan. 1, 2026, battery-embedded products. CalRecycle says Californians can recycle e-waste with an authorized collector at no charge; find one in the eRecycle directory.
Cost & rules
- Covered: laptops, tablets and computer monitors with screens over 4 inches. Desktop towers without a screen are not listed as covered video display devices.
- Use an authorized (approved) collector; it will ask your name and address to confirm the item came from California. Find one in CalRecycle's eRecycle directory.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Goodwill Industries of Santa Barbara (Drop-Off and Retail), W. Carrillo StNonprofit service · Santa BarbaraOpen to everyoneCost not listed
How it works
Goodwill donation drop-off and store at 302 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara; 805-899-3807. Takes furniture and working or non-working computers; no mattresses, box springs or large appliances.
Official page (opens in new tab)
Santa Maria Regional LandfillCity service · Santa Barbara CountyCost not listed
How it works
City of Santa Maria site at 2065 East Main Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454 (unincorporated Santa Barbara County). Hours: Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–4 p.m.

Before you go

List each device and describe any damage to the operator.
Back up your files and erase the device using the maker’s instructions.
Ask whether documented data destruction is offered and what it costs.

More about computers

California rules

Laptops, computer CPUs and monitors are on CalRecycle's list of electronic devices not to put in the trash. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
Unwanted covered electronic devices are universal waste and may not go in household trash. Source: DTSC: Covered Electronic Devices (opens in new tab)

More California rules (8)

DTSC says e-waste (any unwanted electronic device or CRT) is a universal waste in California, a type of hazardous waste, and must go to an authorized e-waste handler, not household trash. Source: DTSC: Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle's banned-from-trash list says not to throw electronic devices in the trash, including TVs, monitors, laptops, computer CPUs, printers, radios, microwave ovens, VCRs and phones. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Source: DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab)
It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Source: DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Source: CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)

Where this information comes from (28)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

Santa Barbara Recycling Center (MarBorg Industries) (opens in new tab) · MarBorg Industries
- Free drop-off at the Santa Barbara Recycle Facility includes scrap metals and cardboard. Checked October 26, 2026.
- E-waste (computers, monitors and anything with a cord), batteries and oil- and water-based paint are free for residential customers only. Checked October 26, 2026.
How to Dispose of Everything (City of Santa Barbara Sustainability & Resilience) (opens in new tab) · City of Santa Barbara
- The City lists MarBorg's Santa Barbara Recycle Facility and the South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station as e-waste drop-offs; common e-waste includes computers and TVs of any kind. Checked October 26, 2026.
- City e-waste examples include computers and accessories and TVs of any kind; damaged or broken CRT TVs must go to the South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station. Checked October 26, 2026.
South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station (LessIsMore.org location page) (opens in new tab) · County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division
- SCRTS accepts automotive batteries, large appliances, holiday lights and all household electronics free from South Coast and Santa Ynez Valley residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
- SCRTS accepts mattresses and box springs free from residents, up to five units per day; businesses pay the Hard to Handle rate. Checked October 26, 2026.
City of Santa Barbara HHW Collection Events (MarBorg Industries) (opens in new tab) · MarBorg Industries
- The City of Santa Barbara, MarBorg and Clean Harbors offer free HHW collection events for City residents throughout the year. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Events accept household and auto batteries, computers and other e-waste, and latex and oil-based paints. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Events are at La Playa Stadium Parking Lot (2-C), Santa Barbara City College, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.: Nov 14, 2026; Mar 6, 2027; Jun 12, 2027. Checked October 26, 2026.
Goodwill Industries of Santa Barbara (Drop-Off and Retail) (LessIsMore.org location page) (opens in new tab) · County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division
- Goodwill at 302 W Carrillo St accepts donations including furniture. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The Goodwill donation center accepts working and non-working computers, monitors and printers. Checked October 26, 2026.
City of Santa Maria Landfill (LessIsMore.org location page) (opens in new tab) · County of Santa Barbara Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division
- The landfill accepts household and business electronics including desktop and laptop computers, televisions and computer monitors. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Thank You for Recycling Your Electronic Waste! (consumer flyer) (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- CalRecycle says Californians have many opportunities to recycle unwanted e-waste with an authorized collector at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Because the state pays collectors only for e-waste from California, collectors of TVs and monitors ask for your name and address. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Electronic Waste Management (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- The CEW Recycling Program, set up under the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, provides all Californians with convenient recycling for unwanted electronics. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- Covered electronic devices are video display devices with screens over four inches diagonally: CRT TVs and monitors; LCD/LED TVs, monitors, laptops, tablets, smart displays and portable DVD players; plasma TVs; and OLED TVs, monitors, laptops and tablets. Checked October 26, 2026.
- A covered electronic device is a video display device with a screen greater than four inches measured diagonally. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: SB 1215 Covered Battery-Embedded Products (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- CalRecycle points people to its eRecycle directory to find a local e-waste collector. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Covered Electronic Devices (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- Unwanted covered electronic devices are universal waste and may not go in household trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Electronic Hazardous Waste (E-Waste) (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- DTSC says e-waste (any unwanted electronic device or CRT) is a universal waste in California, a type of hazardous waste, and must go to an authorized e-waste handler, not household trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- CalRecycle's banned-from-trash list says not to throw electronic devices in the trash, including TVs, monitors, laptops, computer CPUs, printers, radios, microwave ovens, VCRs and phones. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Laptops, computer CPUs and monitors are on CalRecycle's list of electronic devices not to put in the trash. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Universal Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- DTSC says universal wastes (batteries, electronic waste, CRTs, lamps, mercury wastes, non-empty aerosol cans and PV modules) must go to a designated handler or recycler and cannot go in household trash or landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
DTSC: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · California Department of Toxic Substances Control
- It is illegal to dispose of household hazardous waste in the trash, down the drain, or by abandonment; it must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DTSC lists antifreeze, batteries, e-waste, household cleaners, paints, pesticides, pool cleaners, solvents, used oil and mercury wastes among common household hazardous wastes. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many cities and counties run household hazardous waste collection programs; DTSC keeps a map of HHW facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Many HHW facilities keep set days and hours, some cap daily amounts, some only hold events once or twice a year, and many require an appointment. Checked October 26, 2026.
CalRecycle: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- CalRecycle says it is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the garbage, down storm drains or onto the ground. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.

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