Please help us protect you and our employees. Face coverings and social distancing is always required while on the facility.

DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION, BEGINNING FEBRUARY 17, 2021 AND UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE SHOREWAY ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITY CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED FROM HOLLY STREET.

Recycling at the Transfer Station

PLANNING ON BUILDING OR REMODELING?

Are you building or remodeling in San Mateo County? If so, you may be required to complete a Waste Management Plan and meet a Construction and Demolition (C&D) ordinance requirement, depending on the city or unincorporated region in which the work is being completed.

Most cities in San Mateo County require the recycling of C&D materials are part of these projects. Visit or contact your city’s planning department directly to check if they have C&D requirements.

The Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos, CA offers recycling options to meet the City’s C&D Ordinance Requirements. Weight tickets issued for mixed loads of C&D are noted by material type and provide backup for reporting as part the C&D Ordinance requirement.

WHY RECYCLE C&D?

C&D waste is a significant and growing part of the disposed waste stream in California; it makes up approximately 28% of the disposed waste. C&D materials are generated in the construction and demolition of residential and commercial buildings, roads, tenant improvements and remodels, landscaping and site clearing activities.

Reducing the amount of C&D materials disposed in the landfill will help San Mateo County jurisdictions meet California’s (AB939) waste reduction mandate. Salvaging, reusing, and recycling C&D materials can reduce disposal costs, extend the life of landfills, save natural resources and create jobs.

HOW DO THE MATERIALS GET RECYCLED?

The mixed C&D materials are transferred to a facility that sorts the material by type for further processing and recycling. Metals, wood, plastic, concrete, asphalt and other materials are processed into various products for alternative uses.

Metals are melted down and used to make new products made from recycled metals, such as fencing, rebar, benches, and various other metal products.
Wood is further processed by grinding wood into small wood chips and fines. The wood chips are used for landscape mulch products, composted, or fuel for electric generation facilities.
Plastic materials are shred died and granulated by material for use in recycled plastic materials, such as plastic benches, boxes, and other plastic products.
Clean concrete and asphalt is crushed and any metal are removed with magnetic separators. The crushed concrete and asphalt are used in base rock or asphalt applications.