OC Recycling, a state-of-the-art recycling center, opened its doors at OCC (Orange Coast College) in Costa Mesa on January 22nd, 2025. The facility provides residents and businesses with a convenient and eco-friendly way to dispose of their recyclable materials, helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
Monday
8 - 11:45:00 AM,12:30 - 4:15:00 PM
Tuesday
8 - 11:45:00 AM,12:30 - 4:15:00 PM
Wednesday
8 - 11:45:00 AM,12:30 - 4:15:00 PM
Thursday
8 - 11:45:00 AM,12:30 - 4:15:00 PM
Friday
8 - 11:45:00 AM,12:30 - 4:15:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 3:45:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:45:00 PM
What clients say about OC Recycling - Costa Mesa in Costa Mesa (CA)
Avoid this place worst customer service. They need to update there hours since it says they close at 4:45 on maps but they close at 4:00pm and make you feel as miserable as their miserable lives are.
This place is amazing! They actually pay fare rates for being a recycle center that recycles bulk instead of individual. The guy even came out and help me separate my recycling and bring it up to the front to ring up. Best recycling center in Orange County!
Showed up on a Tuesday morning around 11AM to encounter the "Closed Until Further Notice" sign. It had been about 6 months since I last came here to recycle cans and bottles, so I wasn't aware of the recent closure. I ended up driving to Allan Co. Recycling in Santa Ana to turn in my recycling. Don't know if or when they plan to reopen.
Updated Jan.29, 2025:
Recently reopened last week under new management, I brought in about 6 months of recycling on a weekday afternoon and was the only customer. Had to walk to the window first to make sure they were open. Glad this place is open again.
They announced they are closed temporary due to staff shortage. But it seems it is not reflected to Google Maps. I drove two times and got back to home with recycle items. Call them or check their website for the working hours.
Really wish they would accurately post their hours. I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to drop off when the website says they are open but they are not.
Really not happy with this place now! Drove in 2x this week from No. HB to find it closed, despite website indicating open. Wasted time and gas!! Change your darn outbound message and website, especially now that you're closed until further notice!
I tried stopping at this location 3 different times during posted business hours to drop off cans and bottles for recycling but the gate was locked and facility closed. If you're just trying to recycle bottles/cans, I suggest you look elsewhere. Your wasted time & fuel are easily worth more than the C.R.V. I ended up going to JJ recycling off of Harbor and Edinger where I was promptly assisted.
10-21-2023 notice - sign in front says closed due to staff shortage. Only Saturdays? No idea because it didn't clarify.
North end of Orange Coast College, just east of Pinecreek along Adams. Hidden from view because of the bend, so slow and be ready to turn right into the recycling center.
Once you're there, tons of parking spaces in front of the 2 large collection areas. When they're not so busy, only the first area is open.
Because you can get infections from bottle cuts and the dirty, sticky trash cans, wearing disposable gloves is smart.
Grab the blue trash cans, separate your pet from aluminium from glass etc, and put sort them by trash can.
REMEMBER to take all caps off bottles! Their policy.
Drag the trash cans to their weigh scales, wait in line for them to give you the receipt. Take the receipt to the cashier window between the two collection areas for you money.
Sometimes, they've got their free books recycling cart out. Pickup free books.
California law allows you the option of being paid based on count instead of weight for up to 50 empty beverage containers of each material type. This means you can bring your CRV load and request to receive payment on a per-container basis verses having your containers weighed. Recycling centers are required to comply with this rule, found in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 5, Section 2535(b), and thus pay you the full CRV redemption of 5 cents or 10 cents on each container for up to 50 containers of each material type delivered. Just be sure that you inform the site attendant of your load content and how you would like to receive payment before you hand over your load. Any consumer who has been denied this right by a recycling center can file a complaint via email or by calling 1-800-RECYCLE.
The location does not make it easy to back into a parking spot for easy unloading. There is one entrance and one exit, creating one way only. I only recycled cardboard this visit. The cardboard bin is located at the end / entrance. You'll need to unload and walk around a cement bench. Then lift to put into the designated blue bins. It is a clean location and there is staff available to answer questions. I did not notice if there was staff available to assist you if needed, nor did I ask.
These guys ripped me today. I'm a first time customer there today. My girlfriend mentioned that her money was short the day before. I had three cans of glass and 4 of cans. They paid me for 4 cans of glass and 3 of cans. A $10 rip . Their receipts are very very lightly printed. I think possibly so you can hardly read it while you are there or something. I recycle about $75 a week of items. So I know pretty much how much I should be getting. I see now how they did it. Check your receipt next time and see if they are paying you $.1050 vs $1.65. They got me for $12.70. One star because I can't put zero stars.
The center was very busy and the people here work very hard to try and keep up. They also take your picture when you claim your CRV return and make you sign a receipt too which I found weird either Covid-19 and if they are taking your picture why di they need a signature? Anyway I think it is almost a perfect place and it took me 20 minutes to get my $20 worth of cans and plastic bottles.
Super fast! We take our students to do class recycling and they know exactly what to do now. The staff is friendly and efficient. Before covid we used to take tours there, very interesting!
2 stars for the nice facility and friendly staff. I don’t come here anymore because of their low payout rates and policies (eg, taking tops off the plastic bottles to reduce weight, and 5% less if they think your cans are “wet”). Sunday’s are also donation-only days, meaning they’ll accept your recycling but the money gets donated instead of in your pocket. I get more of my CRV money back elsewhere.
Wow they will rip you off all day.. if your trying to get the actual value of what your stuff is worth then don’t bring them there.. worst service/price/fairness ever.. these guy like taking advantage and wielding what little power they have over your head..
Jay Hoonigan, do you realize part of our recycles go to help support OCC. so no one is getting rich, i choose to recycle here because i know it also helps the school. you can go to other recycle centers to get a little more for your recycles.
This place makes it easy to recycle. I usually come here with my car full of stuff for donation, and they help me empty it out in about a minute. No joke, it's that fast. OCC recycling center makes it convenient to save the planet!
We pay CRV for Bottles,cans,and plastic up front, then we collect them at home, put them in our cars, use up gasoline and drive to the recycling center and at the end we don’t even get the Full value of the CRV back. Somebody’ getting rich in this line of business from the public consumer. I must’ve given them four 32 gallon bucket and all I got was $12.65 back.
At this place the Eight workers standing around wanted me to personally Remove every single cap off the bottles before weighing them. Spend another 15 minutes just doing that. All for $12.65. I’ve been to other recycling centers where they don’t require you to do that and it was much easier and they pay you more.
1st experience to be there today after moved to Costa Mesa. I was surprised the young guy immediately brought 2 bins and they all are very friendly and seemed to happy and enjoying working there! Very refreshing and I felt good. They all gave me great feeling of this place and they made my day(^^!
Pros: Larger with more parking & safer entrance/exit.
Very clean and always a friendly staff
Cons: Battery container too small (completely filled up
all new recycle bins are new & hard to dislodge
no hand wipes (told to use fountain but fountain pressure very low)
no markings for where to wait in line (everyone bunches up waiting to be told what to do)
parking spaces diagonal (prevents backing in, further to carry recycle).
cashier window makes it hard to hear cashier
I have brought my recyclables here many times. I have always received prompt and courteous service. The staff who work there were very friendly, the cashier was awesome and everyone seemed happy to work there. I will definitely go back there with all my recyclables!
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