Aluminum is a lightweight, silver metal. Many everyday items, like pots and pans, are made primarily out of aluminum. If they aren't electronics (like small appliances), they become aluminum scrap when no longer wanted. Put small pieces of unwanted aluminum into your recycling bin.

What about aluminum foil?

Clean aluminum foil and pie plates can be recycled at home, too; however, if food is baked on, it's best to throw it in the trash. Read more tips on our Recycling FAQ page.

What about industrial scrap?

If you have large pieces of aluminum scrap or too much to place in your recycling bin, please take them to the locations listed on this page. Some of these locations will even pay for large amounts of scrap aluminum! Others will accept foil, but don't expect a big payout. Always call ahead to find out details.

Why recycle aluminum?

Glad you asked! Recycling aluminum saves tons of energy in addition to keeping the metal out of the landfill. Find out more on our Why Recycle page.

Where to go

• All of Santa Barbara County (2)

  • Craigslist
  • Junk Recyclers — 6520 Platt Avenue #650

• Santa Barbara Area (5)

  • *South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • M & M Scrap Metals — 4980 Rhoads Ave
  • MarBorg Industries — 119 North Quarantina Street
  • MarBorg Industries' Recycling / ABOP Center — 725 Cacique Street
  • Santa Barbara Iron and Metal Recyclers — 709 East Gutierrez Street

• Goleta & UCSB Area (2)

  • *South Coast Recycling & Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 20 David Love Place

• Santa Ynez Valley (3)

  • *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
  • El Rancho Market — 2886 Mission Drive
  • Waste Management — 97 Commerce Drive

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (4)

  • AL & S, Incorporated — 209 W. Central Ave, Suite A
  • City of Lompoc Landfill (Scalehouse) — Avalon Rd (south end)
  • Drive-In Recycling — 2126 1/2 North "H" Street
  • Vandenberg Air Force Base Materials Diversion Center — Building 11510, 1205 Utah Avenue

• Santa Maria Valley (4)

  • Bedford Enterprises, Inc. — 1940 West Betteravia Road
  • City of Santa Maria Landfill, aka City of Santa Maria Regional Landfill — 2065 E Main St
  • Santa Maria Area Recycling Terminal (SMART) — 1940 West Betteravia Road
  • Waste Management — 1850 West Betteravia Road

• Cuyama Valley (1)

  • *New Cuyama Transfer Station — 5073 Highway 166

• Outside Santa Barbara County (4)

  • California Materials Exchange (CALMAX)
  • Earth911.com - Information Only — 1375 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 140
  • RecycleMatch — 3375 Westpark Drive, Suite 321
  • Throwplace.com