This company is ripping people off because there isn't an alternative. I brought 350 pounds of extruded aluminum that was coated in chem film. It's not paint. The price difference is very different-they know it and play games. There isn't a sign that says you need an ID, but you do. I had a temporary license and they wouldn't accept it and I had to pull all the aluminum out of filthy trash cans after waiting 30 minutes in line. read more

I had a disposable helium tank to dispose of. I followed the manufacturer's instructions for disposal (completely emptied contents, removed spout, punctured hole into tank). The Allan Company is located just inside the road off Convoy that leads into the Miramar landfill. The lot is quite run down and there is little signage. There is a small bungalow with a window for you to speak with a teller. The lot had plenty of parking on a Friday afternoon. The Allan Company does not take helium tanks for disposal. I was told by an employee there that the tank I brought them would explode. I called the general city Environmental Services line and confirmed that the Allan Company does not take helium tanks (even empty) and that they have to be disposed of as hazardous waste. As someone who works with hazardous wastes and compressed gasses on a normal basis I am confused how an empty helium tank with a hole in the container wall could explode or be considered hazardous waste, but nonetheless I could not recycle it. Would be nice if their website specifically said they do not accept helium tanks for recycling. read more

So I was so confused at first what to do but I was able to figure it out.. I do highly recommend bringing disposable gloves because the trash cans are used for all recyclable materials (sticky soda cans) Once I loaded up my material and got it weighed (sometimes there's a wait but it keeps moving) I was given a ticket. The trailer next to the weight station takes my ticket and asks if I want it mailed or cashed out.. The service is quick and easy because honestly it stinks so I can truly appreciate the speedy service. Thank you read more

Allan Company - Recycling Center Near Me - San Diego, California

My go to for recycling in San Diego. In my personal experience I tend to get a lot more for my recycling than other comperable places. Not to mention the location is super convenient located off the 52 and convoy. The process is fairly quick, separate your recycling by type in their rolling bins. When ready, push bins to the front, they weigh them, give you an invoice, take it to the cashier and you my friend have turned recycling into cash! read more

I've been here many times in the past, and it was a serviceably average experience. I always knew this company paid below market rates for all their recycling but today I got that plus the whole bad attitude experience as well. To start this company never answers their phone, their voice mail is full. Today I was greeted by a guy at the entrance whose only job seems to be to sternly warn people to drive slow in their parking lot. Meanwhile their own forklifts and dump trucks are zipping around the lot like it's NASCAR and backing up without looking or any audible backup warnings. The guy who weighed my recycling wasn't friendly. No greeting, nothing. He just threw the recycling can on the scale like he was taking his hatred of his job out on it. And then he silently handed me my payout ticket. The people who are employed here look like they are on work release or transitional employment or something. I just recycled 2 bags of aluminum cans -- which filled up the entire trash can. I only got $8. I'm sure I would have gotten more had I requested actual CRV value. I don't even know it was worth the gas or time to drive here. I usually recycle at American Recycling, and while it is not the cleanest lot, they pay more, are friendlier and more efficient. read more

I have called for a recycling bin. I called specifically for a lady named Victoria Garcia . She has never called me back and multiple times. I guess they are just to busy. read more

Really but service super inconvenient they don't take credit or debit for their services, only cash

First things first: if you have a fear of bees, then this place is definitely not where you'll want to do your recycling. I'm dead serious. If you didn't know already this place is right off the CA-52 freeway - you'll know you're there when you look to the right and see a big 'ol circle driveway. THAT'S where you enter to recycle your stuff. You drive in and there's about...hmm...15 spots for parking? Park your car, grab your containers, and fill 'em up. About 32 seconds later is when the bee's start coming. I mean...they won't bother you or anything but they're there and in full effect. After you fill up the containers bring them over to the green shack-building-thing and let them weigh it. If your visit is anything like mine, NOBODY will talk to you. Nobody will help you, nobody will assist you - they're simply there to take your recyclables and give you a slip with numbers scrawled on it in which you will take to the right of the building (stage left). Walk up to the small barred window and then you know what to do (unless you've never recycled before...in which, shame on you). 30 minutes later and you have yourself *$7. Yay?... *Wait times and prices will vary. read more

I just recycled my electric lawn mower at Allan Recycling and I want to thank the company for making it soooooo easy! I am a 71 year old single woman and pretty capable of physical activities, but I was a little worried about how I would unload an 80 lb. lawnmower. I was going to have to lift this item up and over my deep trunk. The facility was very busy when I arrived. I was greeted (with a big smile) by Sergio. He directed me to a close parking spot right next to the recycle area. In between directing traffic and his other duties, he came to help me, without being asked. What a gentleman! He also made sure that I had all the information that I needed before he unloaded it. (Ex: Fee $.25 per lb.; cash only etc.) I want to thank him for his friendly attitude, his help and his respect for my time by getting me in and out so quickly by making sure I was in the correct line. Everyone I came in contact with was very friendly and helpful. read more

Ive actually been here twice now and have been pleased with a number of things 1st thing the payout for the recycled material seems to be one of the better offerings in town which can be big if you have to travel across town to drop off material - they are also relatively fast with their service which is another plus - it is outdoor and if its hot its nice to get finished up quickly I usually go during the week so there is less foot traffic to deal with which might be aiding in the quickness of service Location is central to San Diego - right at the Miramar Dump but before its main entrance so you dont have to deal with the major truck traffic headed to the main dumping area. Parking in the area is a bit small but people get filtered through pretty quick - I have never had a problem finding a place to park. If you are a recycler like I have started to do more of this is probably the best place centrally located in town read more

. I arrived and had a modest amount of recycling. The attendant took one look at my vehicle and told me he could not except my recycling .He THOUGHT I had more than 70 pounds. So I said let's see how much it is and I can take the rest home . It was all or nothing he said. He said I could put it back in my car and take some home and then come bring some back. I put it back in my car and drove to the city dump where it was only 50 pounds total. A huge inconvenience on a rainy day horrible customer service!! read more

The recycle place was big and crowded... a lot of people were there and I have tried to look for it a couple times and finally found it last week! It is on convoy street right passed the 52 fwy! :D It will help if you bring your own gloves and hand sanitizer! read more

I went to Allan Company, aka Miramar Recycling, today to drop off some scrap aluminum from a patio set we had replaced. Although clean scrap aluminum (I removed all the metal attachment screws) is worth money there, I was just going to donate it to have it repurposed instead of it sitting in the landfill. I didn't know the process there, so I walked up to an employee (with the name Sergio on his shirt) and said, "excuse me." Sergio responded, "your excused" and then laughed as he walked into the shack looking facility. A few seconds later, he came out and said, "you're still excused amigo" and I hadn't even said anything to him after his first rude response. I then responded, "what's your problem?" He stopped and said, "I don't have a problem, do you?" I said, "My problem is I just had a question for you and you're being an ass." I shouldn't have said it, but he was so arrogant and disrespectful to me and all I said was excuse me. Sergio replied he would never call me an ass and I said that's because I wasn't being rude to him. Needless to say, Sergio wasn't helpful after that discussion either. I found a dumpster that said scrap metal and put it in there (not sure if it meant aluminum). It appeared there were a lot of people there for recycling money. I noticed the employees weren't particularly polite to anyone. It was a very unpleasant and frustrating experience to the point I'll throw recycling in the trash before going back there. read more

Do your part AND get a little change back in return. Seems to be very well operated. Quick & Easy. Nice staff. Thanks! P.S.- Fellow recyclers here are polite and helpful! read more

Fast and courteous service. They can possibly add more signs of where to go, but that is the only small complaint. If you ask any of the staff, they tell you exactly where to go and what to do. I had to bring a very heavy wall AC and the drop off location from where I parked was far. The staff saw me struggling with the AC and told me to leave it there and that they would carry it the rest of the way. THANK YOU. I was in and out of there in minutes. They have a very smooth operation. read more

Their staff is courteous to an extent. Visited at least six times year 2017. Amount on receipt did not match $ I was given (counted when I arrived home), giving the young lady the benefit of the doubt. Forklift operators and other drivers should continue being cautious and driving below or at fifteen miles an hour considering their lot is at least an acre. read more

If you want to get ripped off and not get paid for what you bought in this is the place to come. Check your receipts before leaving for excepting the cash if you're bringing aluminum they'll pay you for sheet iron which is less per pound. I brought in 180 pounds of aluminum which is equals out to be $45 they only give $5.23 that's when I looked at the receipt and they charge me for nonaluminum. read more

Absolutely rude service. The only person I thought was nice was the window teller. She was sweet. You definitely don't get as much as you put in there. There is little parking so you need to get there at a good time. Always make sure you count your money before leaving. Nothing has happened to me but you should always check just in case. read more

Lots of trouble and effort on your part for next to nothing. The list of issues goes on so I'll just say of you can, go somewhere else.

I counted 14 containers full of crushed bottles and I guess when we weren't looking they took one, weighed it in, then started adding up our containers and when we got our receipt back it showed they only weighed 13 containers. Make sure you pay attention and count your containers when you're there because we counted those containers 4 times before we took it to weigh in... read more

Why is it that every time I leave this place I feel like I've been ripped off? Probably because I have. About a year ago I took the bottom cut off part of an aluminum attic ladder in to recycle along with some other aluminum. Two of their employees checked the rivets with magnets and determined that they were aluminum. Then a third checked them and said they were steel and so the aluminum was "contaminated" and that piece would be at a lower price. (the rivets were definitely aluminum) The difference in what I received was about 50 cents and not about to change my lifestyle so I blew it off. Then last week I took about 14 lbs of aluminum in. 12 lbs was clean, unpainted heavy aluminum castings and extrusions and then there was 1 piece of extrusion that had been painted. I figured that the painted extrusion would be a little less per lb, and they weighed it separately, but in the end they gave me 29 cents/lb for the painted extrusion and only 19 cents for the heavy, clean, unpainted castings and extrusions. This was a rip-off, plain and simple. They paid me just over $2.00 for the 14 lbs of aluminum that should have been about $20.00. I don't have the time to spend chasing them to pay me what they owe me so from now on, even though I have been an avid recycler for over 40 years, everything goes in the trash. I refuse to put another penny in the pockets of these thieves. read more