CVT Recycling Center

Why is this place so good? Because you get to dump stuff off for FREE!!!!

I've been going here for several years now for dropping off things like, old paint, fluorescent light bulbs that burnt out, old electronic parts, and just about anything you don't want to drop in your regular garbage. Check out their website for everything they take.

Another great feature is of course recycling cans, papers, bottles, etc to try and regain that CVR tax California loves so much.

The other thing I love this place for is to dump your large cardboard boxes that are too big for your recycling bin. You can also drop off those Styrofoam fillings that take up so much space.

Now to be honest, this is not Nordstrom. They deal with garbage, so expect it to look like it. Still, a great asset and very important service available in Orange County.

Well let me preface this by saying that this place is the best of the bunch and its only a 2 star... This may give you some kind of an idea about these recycling centers. Disgusting!

This place is fairly easy to access. They do have a limited off loading area and half the time there is a fight for bins. This is due to the fact that you have to separate everything multiple ways. For example non crv glass from dark crv glass from clear crv glass. Plastic mist be separated as well depending on types.

None the less once you get everything put together you have to cart it all up to the scale. Make sure you check out pennysaver or online for coupons. At least they take competitors coupons, but they have to be from OC and they also have to have an expiration date on them! Talk about a major PITA!

There is trash flying all around and no help unloading at all. They also take other types of recycling here. But at least there are no bees/wasps and you dont have to move your recyclables super far.

Not a fan, but it is better than all the rest of the major recycling centers and its not some random container somewhere shady...

I love this recycling center. They have a routine down and it works!
When you first arrive and back into a spot (if there is one or you have to wait until one opens up) you can then get the proper color bin you need to fill your recyclables with.
The bins have wheels on them so it is convenient to roll up and wait in line.
Then the worker puts the bin on a scale and and he gives you a ticket that you take to the window and the lady gives you your money.
They do offer coupons in different papers sometimes so keep your eye out for that.

This location is no longer open. Not sure if they moved into their big building across the street or if it is totally gone. I went there to toss my paper trash and all the bins are gone and caution tape is wrapped around everything. I called but the phone rings busy. The hazardous waste people are still renting the portion of the site where they have always been.

Easy on the quick unloading. Everything is color coordinated. Fast service and fast in and out transactions.

A plus is look in the newspaper ads for more $$$ on your saving the world

I've been recycling at CVT for several years and have been completely satisfied. Sure, if you show up on Saturday or Sunday between 10 a.m. and closing, expect to wait in 15-20 minute line. Lines are much shorter when recycling Tuesday - Friday.

Here are the reasons I give CVT a Five-Star Rating: Their service is friendly, they accept many "competitors coupons" (check your Penny Saver for competitor coupons, and bring 2 or 3 with you), and unlike smaller recycle operations - like the ones you find around your local grocery stores - CVT does not close down for half-hour lunch breaks.

Went there yesterday on a Wednesday 9/24/15). They are now closed Monday's, Tuesdays, and Wednesday's. Now open Thursday-Sunday. Always helpful and courteous at the plastic, cans, glass, paper side. The hazardous waste side not so much. Have got the run around from them with disposing of my Moms sharps from her insulin. One time I brought my moms sharps in a gallon milk jug sealed and an employee gave me these containers with green latchable lids that were for battery disposal. When I went to turn in the full container that they gave me another guy said they couldn't accept it and sent me away. Had to go back home with the sharps and wait until we had an empty milk jug or juice jug to empty their container into. Much friendlier on the can recycling side!

I couldn't help but laugh at peoples' complaints that they will fish out bottles that are sorted incorrectly. They are a RECYCLING center...that is their JOB. Why should they pay you for your screw up? Sheesh, some people!

Anyway, you do have to sort the bottles correctly and there are certain bottles they can't take at all...like plastic vinegar bottles, which took us forever to remember not to toss in our recycle. It's not a big deal and they are nice enough about it, I've never felt scolded or insulted at all.

I am a very white woman and have never felt unsafe here, and we've been coming here 3-4 times a year for 6-7 years....the workers are hispanic and some look a little gang banger, but they range from nice to very nice, to both my husband and to me. Since it is a recycle center, it is by nature not the cleanest place around, but it doesn't smell bad like I read in one review. There is one worker there who is very nice, but is very slow....we just try and take a few deep breaths and be patient, lol! We ALWAYS go on the weekdays to avoid the weekend lines, and it's not bad at all, and we're in and out pretty quickly, can go home and wash up, and then take our recycling money to have lunch out! :)

We have NEVER managed to find a coupon, and every time we go, they tell us to bring a coupon next time, which I think is nice of them.

For those who may want to know what to expect ,,,,,after you get there, you go and get a different kind of basket for each kind of recycle...glass, plastic and cans. I believe they also have a basket for colored glass...can't remember for certain. You have to use the right kind of basket for your particular recycle. There are signs explaining how to do it, or you can ask a worker. You sort out your recycles into the baskets, then roll them up to the scale to be weighed. It can be a slow process,especially if the people before you didn't read the rules and sorted a lot of stuff incorrectly. From there, you take your slips and go to the cashier (all very close to each other) and get your cash. Easy peasy!

All of the negative reviews are probably from people who have never been here before, and recycled right after a major partying holiday. This place is friendly, fast and convenient. Also, they take coupons from other recycling centers as long as they are in orange county. Sunwest metals always has coupons for aluminum for $2 or more. I wish they were open on Mondays, but I'm happy they are open Saturday AND Sunday. Tip: separate the color of your beer bottles ahead of time so you'll be ready. Separate all of the brown, clear, green and blue, plastic and cans

Worst place I ever been too! I've been standing in line for over 40 mins now and I'm not even close to the front. The way they got their system set up is ridiculous, it takes 3 guys literally 3-5 minutes to process 1 basket of cans!!!