Arcata Community Recycling Center

Arcata Community Recycling Center accepts a wide range of recyclable materials including aluminum cans, glass bottles sorted by color, #1 PET and #2 HDPE plastic containers, steel and tin cans, newspaper, magazines, office paper, and cardboard. We also accept used motor oil in leak-proof containers and various types of batteries.

Our facilities are equipped to process both California Refund Value (CRV) materials and non-CRV recyclables. CRV items include aluminum cans, glass beverage bottles, and plastic beverage containers that carry a deposit which you can reclaim when you bring them in for recycling.

For a complete list of accepted materials, we recommend visiting our recycling center directly or contacting our staff. We periodically update our accepted materials list based on market conditions and processing capabilities. Some specialty items may require specific preparation before drop-off.

Materials that are typically not accepted include hazardous waste, medical waste, electronics (which should go to e-waste collection events), and contaminated items. When in doubt, please ask our friendly staff who are always happy to help you sort your recyclables correctly.

Recycling provides enormous economic benefits to Humboldt County. The Arcata Community Recycling Center employs 35 people locally, with an annual payroll exceeding $1.5 million that circulates through the local economy. Additionally, we pay out over $1.2 million in CRV refund payments to county residents each year, putting money directly back into community members' pockets.

The environmental benefits are equally significant. By diverting thousands of tons of materials from landfills annually, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and minimize the environmental impact of waste disposal. Recycling aluminum, for example, saves 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminum from raw ore.

Our education and outreach programs serve up to 5,000 students each year, teaching the next generation about waste reduction and environmental stewardship. These programs help build a culture of sustainability that extends far beyond our recycling centers.

Since 1971, ACRC has been a cornerstone of Humboldt County's environmental infrastructure, creating jobs, reducing waste, and fostering community engagement around sustainability goals that benefit everyone in the region.

CRV stands for California Refund Value, a deposit that consumers pay when purchasing certain beverages in California. This deposit—typically 5 cents for containers under 24 ounces and 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger—can be refunded when you return the empty containers to a certified recycling center like ACRC.

To get your CRV refund, simply bring your eligible beverage containers to our Buyback Scale. We accept aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles that display the CRV symbol. Sort your materials by type before you arrive to speed up the process and ensure you receive the correct payment.

The CRV program was established by the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act to encourage recycling and reduce litter. It has been remarkably successful, with California achieving one of the highest beverage container recycling rates in the nation.

We process CRV materials during all regular business hours. For larger quantities, you may want to call ahead to ensure smooth processing. Our staff can help you understand which items qualify for CRV refunds and assist with proper sorting.

Proper preparation of your recyclables makes the drop-off process faster and more efficient for everyone. Start by separating your CRV materials from non-CRV items. CRV items include aluminum cans, glass beverage bottles, #1 PET plastic bottles, and #2 HDPE plastic containers—these should be kept separate so you can receive your deposit refund at the Buyback Scale.

For glass items, sort by color: clear, brown, and green. Remove caps from plastic bottles and rinse containers to remove food residue. You don't need to remove labels. Flatten cardboard boxes to save space, and keep newspaper and magazines separate from office paper.

Non-CRV materials like steel cans, aluminum foil, mixed plastics (#3-7), and paper products should be sorted into their respective categories. Batteries should be kept separate from other recyclables due to special handling requirements.

Make sure your used motor oil is in a sturdy, leak-proof container. Remove any loose caps or lids and bag them separately. The better you sort before arriving, the quicker the process will be, and you'll help ensure materials are properly recycled rather than contaminated.

Beyond traditional recycling services, ACRC operates several programs designed to maximize resource recovery and minimize waste. Our Reusables Depot accepts gently used household items, building materials, and other goods that still have useful life, diverting them from the waste stream and making them available to the community at affordable prices.

Our Drop-Off Recycling Centers in Arcata and Eureka provide convenient locations for residents to bring their recyclables. We also offer Business Recycling services, helping commercial enterprises set up effective recycling programs and providing collection containers suited to their specific waste streams.

Education and Community Outreach is a cornerstone of our mission. We conduct facility tours, classroom presentations, and community workshops that teach proper recycling techniques and the importance of waste reduction. Up to 5,000 students participate in our educational programs annually.

Our Recycle Store offers environmentally friendly products and recycled-content merchandise, demonstrating the market for recycled materials and completing the recycling loop. We have also incubated other green businesses like Fire and Light Originals, helping to build a broader sustainable economy in Humboldt County.

ACRC is a significant economic engine for Humboldt County. With 35 employees and a payroll exceeding $1.5 million annually, we provide stable, meaningful employment in the community. Our operations also support numerous local businesses through approximately $500,000 in annual spending on support services, from equipment maintenance to office supplies.

The sale of processed recyclable materials generates roughly $1 million in annual revenue, with these materials going to domestic mills and manufacturers rather than being shipped overseas. This keeps economic value within the national economy and supports American manufacturing jobs.

We pay out over $1.2 million in CRV refund payments to Humboldt County residents each year, directly putting money back into local consumers' hands. This money gets spent in local businesses, creating a multiplier effect that amplifies the economic benefit throughout the community.

As a nonprofit organization with a volunteer board of directors, ACRC reinvests its revenues back into operations, equipment upgrades, and community programs rather than distributing profits to shareholders. This mission-driven approach ensures that the economic benefits of recycling stay local and continue to grow over time.