Large Item Collection Service

Tips for Moving

So you are moving; you probably have a lot of work ahead of you. Don’t forget that even during your move, you can make choices that can help you live sustainably, save money, and save your back. To start, the less you accumulate, the less you have to pack up and move elsewhere – so fight the pack-rat urge and only shop for items that are essential to your living and lifestyle. What may have once been considered a “collectible” item, will most likely spend its time on this planet (maybe, forever!) collecting dust. One can lessen their environmental footprint when moving by giving away or selling any non-essential items. Books can be donated to libraries and charities will gladly take unwanted, useful items and clothing. Consider holding an old-fashioned yard sale. Don’t have time for a yard sale? Try selling your items online through websites, newspapers, digital platforms, and apps. There is more to moving than just packing up. Make sure to use eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products when scrubbing down the old place and moving into the new place.

Money-Saving Tip
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 online purchases. This will save you money and conserve resources. Many retail stores are happy to give away cardboard boxes they no longer need and would otherwise have to recycle. Choose to reuse instead of wasting your money buying new packing materials for one-time use.

College Move-out
Did you move out of the dorms or completely finish college? Congratulations! 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 keep tight living spaces organized. Don’t throw away your textbooks! If you didn’t rent your books or purchase digital copies, 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 across the country.

Junk Mail Tip
Don’t allow your junk mail to follow you!
First, change your mailing address directly with all of your important contacts, such as your bank, credit cards, and cell phone carrier (this can be done easily online or by calling them). Then, file a temporary change of address with your post office rather than a permanent change of address. This will cut down on junk mail at 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.

Moving can create lots of extra “stuff” to get rid of
When we move and unpack, we are often left with additional items to dispose of, such as packing materials and unwanted household goods. Below are some ideas for what to do with items that have not quite exhausted their useful life. While preparing to move, you may also need things like moving boxes and packing materials. There are now many social media pages, websites, and apps dedicated to “the sharing economy.” Try searching for or getting rid of items on sites like Next Door and Facebook Marketplace, or join the Buy Nothing and OfferUp sharing communities by downloading their app.

Moving Boxes
Reuse: Offer these items to others on social media or the digital platforms mentioned 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).
Dispose of: 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.
Dispose of: Plastic film is not recyclable in your mixed recycling cart. When all else fails, place it 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. In the end, the fees catch up with everyone through higher disposal fees and higher taxes. Whether you realize it or not, we all pay for the costs associated with 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.

[Click here] or call 1-844-849-8900 to learn how PG&E will remove and pay you for recycling your old refrigerator (still in working order).

Mattresses & Box Springs:
Recycle: Salinas Valley Recycles disposal sites accept mattresses for recycling at NO CHARGE to residential customers. Mattresses cannot be landfilled.

Car & Small Truck Tires:
Salinas Valley Recycles accepts car and small truck tires at all their locations in the Salinas Valley for a small fee.  Tires cannot be landfilled. One to two times per year, they offer a CalRecycle grant-funded FREE tire collection. For information on these FREE tire collection events, visit their website.

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