Tire Recycling in Watsonville, CA
Residents can drop 9 car tires a year free at the Watsonville drop-off center (fees after that), or set out 2 rimless tires with a bulky pickup.
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Not yet confirmed: we couldn’t check this detail against a current source.
- Residents get 9 tires under 36 inches a year free; beyond that $3 each, $6 with wheels, $13 over 36 inches, $19 over 36 inches with wheels. (City of Watsonville: Waste & Recycle Center Disposal User Fees 2024-2025 (PDF) (opens in new tab))
Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- Ask whether tires on rims cost more.
- Check per-tire fees and how many you can bring at once.
California rules
- Tires are not hazardous but are banned from the trash to prevent mosquito breeding and tire fires. Source: CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab)
- Anyone transporting 10 or more used or waste tires must hold a valid waste tire hauler registration. Source: CalRecycle: Used and Waste Tire Haulers (opens in new tab)
More California rules (9)
- Local enforcement agencies may give individuals a one-time exemption to haul waste tires to a local disposal site or amnesty day event in their jurisdiction. Source: CalRecycle: Used and Waste Tire Haulers (opens in new tab)
- CalRecycle's Tire Management Program hotline is (866) 896-0600 (WasteTires@calrecycle.ca.gov). Source: CalRecycle: Tire Management Overview (opens in new tab)
- A fee on the sale of new tires funds the California Tire Recycling Management Fund under the Tire Recycling Act of 1989. Source: CalRecycle: Tire Management Overview (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 (19)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- City of Watsonville: Waste & Recycling Drop-Off Center and Bulky, Hazardous, Medical Wastes (opens in new tab) · City of Watsonville
- The drop-off center is open to Watsonville residents living within city limits; address verification is required, and loads must be tarped. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The city asks residents to separate loads into categories including tires, mattresses, electronic waste, metal, HHW and recyclables. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Household hazardous waste is accepted free at 320 Harvest Drive for Watsonville residents and small businesses only (15 gallons / 125 lbs per trip). Checked October 26, 2026.
- One free pickup per calendar year, up to three bulky items; additional pickups cost extra. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Available to residents within city limits with a City of Watsonville garbage bill, except apartment complexes and businesses. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Call Customer Service at least 48 hours ahead and list the 3 items; set them on the curb by 7 a.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Tires are accepted, up to 2 without the rim. Checked October 26, 2026.
- City of Watsonville: Waste & Recycle Center Disposal User Fees 2024-2025 (PDF) (opens in new tab) · City of Watsonville
- Residents get 9 tires under 36 inches a year free; beyond that $3 each, $6 with wheels, $13 over 36 inches, $19 over 36 inches with wheels. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · not yet confirmed.
- 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.
- CalRecycle: Waste Banned from the Trash (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- Tires are not hazardous but are banned from the trash to prevent mosquito breeding and tire fires. Checked October 26, 2026.
- CalRecycle: Used and Waste Tire Haulers (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- Anyone transporting 10 or more used or waste tires must hold a valid waste tire hauler registration. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Local enforcement agencies may give individuals a one-time exemption to haul waste tires to a local disposal site or amnesty day event in their jurisdiction. Checked October 26, 2026.
- CalRecycle: Tire Management Overview (opens in new tab) · CalRecycle
- A fee on the sale of new tires funds the California Tire Recycling Management Fund under the Tire Recycling Act of 1989. Checked October 26, 2026.
- CalRecycle's Tire Management Program hotline is (866) 896-0600 (WasteTires@calrecycle.ca.gov). 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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