Metals

Metals are elements that start out as rocks (called ores). It takes lots of energy to mine them, grind them, and heat them up (smelting) to get just the part we want. For example, it takes eight tons of the ore bauxite to make one ton of aluminum. While this process is very energy intensive, the good news is...

Almost All Metals are Recyclable!

If you have a hard object made out of metal -- a can, toy, tool, or car part -- you don’t have to worry about what type of metal it is. Just put it in your blue bin. Click the links below for more information about the different metal types.

• Aluminum

  • Third most common element on Earth’s surface
  • Silvery and lightweight
  • Commonly used in beverage cans
  • Read more about Aluminum

• Brass and Bronze

  • A copper alloy with zinc or tin
  • Usually used in gold or green ornamental metal objects
  • Read more about Brass and Bronze

• Cast Iron

  • Mostly iron with some carbon and silicon
  • Common in frying pans and other cooking instruments
  • Read more about Cast Iron

• Copper

  • A red colored metal, tarnishes green
  • Used in pennies and some cookware
  • Common in wire and pipes
  • Read more about Copper

• Steel

  • A silver colored metal made from iron and carbon, along with other metals
  • Often used to package canned foods
  • Used in construction, such as rebar
  • Read more about Steel

• Tin

  • A silver metal with the symbol Sn on the periodic table
  • Used to make Pewter which is 85-99% tin
  • "Tin" cans are steel cans coated in tin
  • Read more about Tin

What about cans?

Check out our Metal Cans page for info on where you can recycle your cans, both aluminum and steel. We also have a CRV page that tells all about the Bottle Bill and covered products. The only can that is not recyclable at home is a partially full aerosol can which is classified as hazardous waste.

Which metals aren't recyclable?

Some metals can't be put in your recycling container, but you probably already know about most of them. Examples include any radioactive metal (uranium, plutonium...but how did you get them anyway?) and mercury or objects containing mercury. Also off limits are lead-containing products like cathode ray tubes (found in TVs and computer monitors).

While precious metals are recyclable, chances are you probably want to keep the value of your silver, gold, or platinum for yourself. Check out our Jewelry page for more information.

Where to go

• All of Santa Barbara County (2)

  • Craigslist —
  • Junk Recyclers — 6520 Platt Avenue #650

• Santa Barbara Area (4)

  • *South Coast Recycling and Transfer Station — 4430 Calle Real
  • MarBorg Industries — 119 North Quarantina Street
  • MarBorg Industries’ Recycling /ABOP Center — 132 Nopalitos Way
  • 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 (2)

  • *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center – Buellton — 97 Commerce Drive

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (2)

  • Vandenberg Air Force Base Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services — Building 11590, 1205 Utah Avenue
  • Vandenberg Air Force Base Materials Diversion Center — Building 11510, 1205 Utah Avenue

• Santa Maria Valley (4)

  • Bedford Enterprises, Inc. — 1940 West Betteravia Road
  • Black Road Auto — 1500 South Black Road
  • City of Santa Maria Landfill, aka City of Santa Maria Regional Landfill — 2065 East Main Street
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 1850 West Betteravia Road

• Cuyama Valley (2)

  • *New Cuyama Transfer Station — 5073 Highway 166
  • *Ventucopa Transfer Station — Highway 33

• Outside Santa Barbara County (1)

  • Earth911.com – Information Only — 3481 Plano Parkway