Recycling center in Modesto, CA

Universal Service Recycling, Inc.

570 S 9th St Modesto CA 95351 USA

4.6 (56 reviews)
Scrap MetalCRV BuybackAluminum Cans
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Universal Service Recycling, Inc. recycling center in Modesto, CA - View of facility

About this center

Universal Service Recycling is a scrap metal yard and recycling buyer in Modesto, California that pays cash for recyclables and scrap. They buy California Redemption Value (CRV) recyclables including aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and glass, along with ferrous metals (steel, iron, and automobiles) and non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel). The company also sells processed materials such as shredded steel, heavy melt, bundles, cast iron, structural steel, and metal turnings to industrial buyers. Per the site, Universal Service Recycling operates five facilities serving ten counties.

Materials accepted & services

Scrap MetalCRV BuybackAluminum CansPlastic BottlesGlassFerrous MetalsSteelIronAutomobilesNon-Ferrous MetalsAluminumCopperBrassStainless SteelCast IronStructural SteelCash for Scrap

Additional materials details

MATERIALS WE ACCEPT: All grades of aluminum including: • Aluminum cans • Aluminum extrusions • Cast aluminum • Painted siding • Sheet aluminum Other accepted materials: • Auto and truck batteries (casings cannot be cracked) • Brass plumbing, fixtures, faucets and fittings • Catalytic converters • Copper #1 and #2 • Copper sheets • California Redemption Value (CRV) • #1 PETE Plastic • #2 HDPE Plastic • Glass • Insulated copper wiring #1 and #2 • Electric motors • Heater cores • Lead • Scrap lead • Radiators • Stainless steel • Steel Metal products we purchase: • Appliances • Automobiles • Bailing clips • Busheling • Cable, fence and wire • Cast iron • Construction equipment • Demolition scrap • Farm Machinery • Industrial scrap steel • Machine shop turnings • OTM (Other track material) • Prepared #1 and #2 heavy melt • Prepared plate and structural • Railroad scrap • Sheet metal • Structural beams • Tanks larger than 100 gal must have 3 ft. hole • Unprepared steel MATERIALS WE DO NOT ACCEPT: • Barrels, drums, pails and buckets unless triple rinsed, dried and lid removed • Brass ammunition or spent rounds • Capacitors • Cardboard • Closed compressed gas cylinders • Closed containers of any kind • Containers with free-flowing liquids in or outside (tar, oil, gasoline, etc.) • Explosive materials • Gas tanks without a visible 8″ x 8″ hole cut in bottom of tank • Material containing PCBs, refrigerants or mercury • Paint cans • Paper • Propane, oxygen or acetylene tanks or bottles (must have 8″ x 8″ hole cut in tank) • Radioactive material • Rims with tires • Rubber • Thermostats • Wood

Services offered

  • CRV beverage container redemption
  • Scrap metal buying
  • Automobile recycling
  • Processed metals sales
  • Cash payouts for recyclables

Prices & reviews

Note: Prices are user-reported and subject to change. Contact the center directly for current rates.
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What did you sell?

Tatiana Mayle

2 years ago

Review

My roommate and I both go there and only there. We love them and they are fast and the staff is awesome and nice. And they don't screw u over either. We love them and we won't go anywhere else. And I recommend them to anyone else to as well. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

archie landers

2 years ago

Review

This is a new recycle center I tried out here lately. Due to covid-19 restrictions finding a good steady place to take your recycles to so little difficult. You have to drive a good distance compared to how far you used to. This place wasn't too far from me they were very quick and prompt have you treated me like a human being and I was in and out and almost no time. Great place to go and great prices too. Update 2-22-22 This place is still great friendly people and good prices. Quick and efficient also. Why go anywhere else? Still a great place. They are very helpful....

Christopher Freeman

10 months ago

Review

A great place to turn in your recycling and make a few extra bucks! They get you in and out fairly quickly with more money in your pocket than when you arrive.

Public records at a glance

Explore dated facility and company records. A public record does not verify the business. Coverage varies by agency and is not a complete history.

Visitor questions

What is the current pay rate for aluminum cans at the Modesto location?

Universal Service Recycling is currently paying $1.70 per pound for aluminum cans.

What hours and appointment requirements does CalRecycle report for the beverage-container program?

The directory reports Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 4:15 pm; Sat 8:00 am - 12:00 pm; Sun Closed; the By Appointment Only field is No. Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 4:15 pm; Sat 8:00 am - 2:00 pm; Sun Closed; the By Appointment Only field is No. Retrieved 2026-10-30. These schedules describe the listed beverage-container operation and may differ from other services at the same site. Confirm current hours and load acceptance before visiting.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30
Is Universal Service Recycling, Inc. open on Saturday?

Yes. Universal Service Recycling, Inc. is open 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Saturdays, based on its listed hours. Hours can change around holidays, so call ahead to confirm.

Is Universal Service Recycling, Inc. open on Sunday?

Universal Service Recycling, Inc. lists itself as closed on Sundays. Hours can change around holidays, so call ahead to confirm.

Ownership & business

Names and roles as recorded by the source; these do not independently establish current ownership or beneficial ownership.

Matched facility / site record

EPA recorded owner & operator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RCRAInfo Hazardous Waste Information Platform

EPA handler ID
CAL000403173
Source-listed site owner
UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC
Export generated:
2026-10-25
Source record received:
2014-12-22
Handler record changed (not ownership effective date):
2018-09-06
Retrieved:
2026-10-31 (source access date)
View record source for EPA recorded owner & operator (opens in a new tab)
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Which legal owner or operator organizations appear in EPA’s hazardous-waste handler record?

EPA RCRAInfo’s export generated October 25, 2026 lists UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC, handler CAL000403173, at 570 S 9TH ST, MODESTO, CA, with reported legal owner: UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC. The source record was received 2014-12-22. Its last handler-record change is 2018-09-06. Those dates are not ownership effective dates. EPA’s legal-owner field includes building or land owners, while its operator field identifies the entity controlling the RCRA site’s operation. These organization names describe the matched hazardous-waste handler/site record; they do not independently verify current business ownership, corporate parents or operation of every activity at the property. Source: https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/rcra-hwip/data-access/csv-downloads

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-31

Permits & registrations

Dated registry entries and filings do not establish current permit validity, insurance coverage or operating status.

Matched facility / site record

EPA facility registry

US Environmental Protection Agency

EPA registry ID
110070092798
Source record created:
2017-08-07
Retrieved:
2026-10-30 (source access date)
View record source for EPA facility registry (opens in a new tab)
Read 3 record details & qualifications

What identifier does the EPA national facility registry list for this location?

EPA's national Facility Registry Service CSV lists registry ID 110070092798 for UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC at 570 S 9TH ST, MODESTO, CA. National CSV retrieved October 30, 2026. The source leaves its record-update date blank. A registry entry is not a recycling license, certification or confirmation of public drop-off access.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

Which environmental program identifiers are recorded for this facility?

The national EPA facility record lists these program associations and identifiers: NPDES:CAZ439954, RCRAINFO:CAL000403173. Recorded program interests: ICIS-NPDES NON-MAJOR, OTHER HAZARDOUS WASTE ACTIVITIES, STORM WATER INDUSTRIAL. National CSV retrieved October 30, 2026. The source leaves its record-update date blank. These are links to program records; they do not establish current permit validity or a finding of a violation.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

What industry classifications appear in the EPA facility record?

SIC code(s): 5093. Description(s): SCRAP AND WASTE MATERIALS National CSV retrieved October 30, 2026. The source leaves its record-update date blank. These are recorded industry classifications, not a list of materials accepted today.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30
Matched facility / site record

CalRecycle beverage-container accounts

CalRecycle Beverage Container Recycling Program

Source-listed program account
RC181958.001, PR181958.001
Record date:
See source details; a record date is not supplied in the overview.
Retrieved:
2026-10-30 (source access date)
View record source for CalRecycle beverage-container accounts (opens in a new tab)
Read 2 record details & qualifications

What CalRecycle beverage-container program accounts are recorded here?

CalRecycle's certified Recyclers/Processors directory lists Universal Service Recycling Inc, account RC181958.001; Universal Service Recycling Inc, account PR181958.001 at this address. Retrieved 2026-10-30. These are beverage-container program accounts, separate from solid-waste permits. A processor entry alone does not establish public walk-in redemption service.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

What operation start dates are recorded for these CalRecycle accounts?

CalRecycle reports account RC181958.001: 2013-06-01; account PR181958.001: 2013-06-01 as the operation begin dates. Retrieved 2026-10-30. These dates refer to the program accounts and do not establish the business's founding date or continuous operation.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30
Matched facility / site record

EPA environmental program identifiers

US Environmental Protection Agency, ECHO

Export modified:
2026-10-25
Retrieved:
2026-10-30 (source access date)
View record source for EPA environmental program identifiers (opens in a new tab)
Read 3 record details & qualifications

What EPA environmental program records are associated with this location?

EPA's ECHO export, last modified October 25, 2026, identifies UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC at this address as FRS facility 110070092798. Its aggregate active-program flag is Y: EPA defines this as at least one associated air, water, hazardous-waste or drinking-water program record being active. It does not mean that every listed program record is active or that the facility has a current compliance certification.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

What EPA water-discharge program identifiers are recorded for this facility?

ECHO associates UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC with ICIS-NPDES identifier(s) CAZ439954 and Clean Water Act permit designation(s) Non-M. Source export last modified October 25, 2026. These identify water-discharge program records; the export's aggregate active flag does not establish the current status or expiry of each individual permit. They do not authorize public waste drop-off.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

What EPA hazardous-waste identifiers and facility types are recorded here?

ECHO associates UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC with RCRA identifier(s) CAL000403173 and recorded facility type(s) Other. Source export last modified October 25, 2026. Generator classifications describe a facility's own hazardous-waste generation; they are not approval to accept hazardous waste from customers. These identifiers and types do not by themselves establish an active treatment, storage or disposal permit.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

Inspections & violations

Historical records do not establish current noncompliance. Missing records or reported zeros do not establish a clean history. Some entries are allegations or reporting events, rather than final findings.

Matched facility / site recordHistorical records

EPA monitoring history

US Environmental Protection Agency, ECHO

EPA registry ID
110070092798
Reported monitoring activities (source five-year window)
1
Source reporting window
20 completed quarters plus the current quarter through the source refresh
Source snapshot:
2026-10-25
Last reported monitoring activity:
2024-01-23
Retrieved:
2026-10-30 (source access date)
View record source for EPA monitoring history (opens in a new tab)
Read 3 record details & qualifications

What compliance-monitoring history does EPA ECHO report for this facility?

EPA ECHO identifies UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC at 570 S 9TH ST, MODESTO, CA (FRS 110070092798). Its five-year compliance-monitoring metric records 1 qualifying activity. The latest qualifying activity date supplied is 2024-01-23. The source snapshot is 2026-10-25, retrieved 2026-10-30. These records cover qualifying inspections and evaluations; an air-program evaluation may include off-site work. This is a reported monitoring history, not a current compliance rating. Facility report: https://echo.epa.gov/detailed-facility-report?fid=110070092798

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

Which selected programme-specific monitoring counts does this EPA export record provide?

For the five-year counting window in its 2026-10-25 snapshot, the export provides these selected programme fields: Clean Water Act monitoring activities: 1. EPA applies programme-specific counting rules. These three available programme categories are a subset of ECHO’s monitoring categories; they should not be added together to reconstruct the aggregate. They are not a complete log of visits or state-held records. Blank fields are omitted rather than treated as zero. Source definitions: https://echo.epa.gov/help/facility-search/all-data-search-results-help

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

What monitoring dates does EPA distinguish for federal and state agencies?

The ECHO snapshot supplies latest state/local-reported qualifying activity: 2024-01-23. These are reported activity dates, which may include completion of an air-program evaluation rather than an on-site visit. Snapshot: 2026-10-25. Reporting coverage differs between programmes and agencies. Source definitions: https://echo.epa.gov/help/facility-search/all-data-search-results-help

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30
Matched facility / site recordHistorical records

EPA enforcement summary

US Environmental Protection Agency, ECHO

EPA registry ID
110070092798
Reported historical noncompliance quarters (three-year window)
3
Reported formal actions (five-year window)
0
Source snapshot:
2026-10-25
Retrieved:
2026-10-30 (source access date)
View record source for EPA enforcement summary (opens in a new tab)
Read 2 record details & qualifications

What historical noncompliance does EPA ECHO record for this facility?

EPA ECHO’s 2026-10-25 snapshot records 3 of the last 12 reporting quarters with a violation/noncompliance status for UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING INC at 570 S 9TH ST, MODESTO, CA (FRS 110070092798). These historical records do not establish that a condition remains open today. Agency-recorded violations may be allegations rather than final adjudications. Reporting coverage varies by programme. Facility history: https://echo.epa.gov/detailed-facility-report?fid=110070092798

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30

What enforcement-action counts does the EPA export report?

In its five-year summary through the 2026-10-25 snapshot, ECHO reports 0 formal enforcement actions and 1 informal notice/action. Informal notices can be resolved without escalation and are not final adjudications. Counts reflect the export’s reporting coverage and are not a complete case inventory. A zero does not establish an absence of all enforcement history. Source definitions: https://echo.epa.gov/help/facility-search/all-data-search-results-help

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-30
Matched facility / site recordHistorical records

OSHA case & citation history

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Source snapshot:
2026-10-30
Retrieved:
2026-10-31 (source access date)
View record source for OSHA case & citation history (opens in a new tab)
Read 2 record details & qualifications

What OSHA inspection-case history is recorded for this location?

The DOL/OSHA national download dated 2026-10-30 links 1 inspection-case record to this establishment’s normalized name and physical street, city and state. Recorded cases: Case 343511432, recorded establishment UNIVERSAL SERVICE RECYCLING, INC, opened 2018-10-01; source type Accident; source scope Partial; case-closed date 2019-03-04. Report: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=343511432 An inspection-case record does not itself establish a citation, accident outcome or current safety rating; some scopes can be records-only or no inspection. Historical records may concern prior operators. Checked 2026-10-31.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-31

What historical OSHA citations and recorded corrections are linked to these cases?

The matched cases contain 1 reviewed citation entry in the 2026-10-30 source download. Entries with unclear deletion flags were withheld. Recorded entries: Case 343511432, citation 01001, issued 2019-01-28; cited standard code 3203(A)(4); source classification Other; source final-order date 2019-02-15; source abatement status source code 3; source adjusted/current assessed penalty $225. Report: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=343511432 An abatement due date is a deadline, not a completion date. Citation classifications and historical records are not a present-day safety finding. A blank final-order date does not establish whether a matter remains open. Assessed amounts are not an outstanding balance or proof of payment.

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-31

Operations & reporting

Reported quantities, fleet figures and financial-assurance filings retain their source scope and dates; they do not establish current capacity, staffing, funding or coverage.

Matched facility / site record

Historical establishment size

US Department of Labor, OSHA inspection data

Source snapshot:
2026-10-30
Retrieved:
2026-10-31 (source access date)
View record source for Historical establishment size (opens in a new tab)
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What establishment employee counts appear in the historical OSHA records?

DOL’s inspection dataset defines this field as the number of employees in the establishment. Positive values in this location’s matched case records include: case 343511432, opened 2018-10-01: 20 reported establishment employees. Case: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=343511432 These are historical case-associated values in the 2026-10-30 download, not current staffing, an annual average or a company-wide headcount. The file does not supply a separate employee-count measurement date. Values are not summed or averaged and should not be used to determine legal size thresholds. Source field definition: https://data.dol.gov/datasets/10334

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-31
Matched facility / site record

Waste-manifest history

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RCRAInfo Hazardous Waste Information Platform

First reviewed shipment:
2019-06-07
Last reviewed shipment:
2026-04-15
Retrieved:
2026-10-31 (source access date)
View record source for Waste-manifest history (opens in a new tab)
Read 2 record details & qualifications

What dated waste-manifest records match this site?

EPA’s public Manifest Activity by Manifest dataset, retrieved October 31, 2026, contains 10 reviewed generator-side records matching Universal Service Recycling, Inc. at this address and EPA handler CAL000403173. The observed shipped-date range is 2019-06-07 through 2026-04-15. Retained records have source status Signed or Corrected, supplied shipped/received dates, positive total quantity in kg, and rejection/residue flags N. This is the set matched in the retrieved queries, not a complete lifetime shipment total or proof of current operations. Source: https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/rcra-hwip/data-access/filtered-datasets/details/9

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-31

Which destinations and quantities appear in the matched waste manifests?

Selected individual generator-side records: manifest 028496872JJK, shipped 2026-04-15, received-date field 2026-04-23, designated facility YUMA YES 2 WASTE TRANSFER STATION (AZR000521146), reported manifest total 136.0545 kg; manifest 027728948JJK, shipped 2025-06-11, received-date field 2025-06-23, designated facility YUMA YES 2 WASTE TRANSFER STATION (AZR000521146), reported manifest total 68.02725 kg; manifest 027278243JJK, shipped 2024-12-17, received-date field 2024-12-30, designated facility YUMA YES 2 WASTE TRANSFER STATION (AZR000521146), reported manifest total 163.2654 kg. Each quantity belongs to its own manifest and is not added to another record or to overlapping hazardous/nonhazardous or acute/nonacute fields. A designated facility is the destination recorded on the manifest; it is not independently verified delivery, a public drop-off recommendation, a commercial contract, payment, sales or revenue. Shipment, receipt and certification dates are distinct source fields. Source: https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/rcra-hwip/data-access/filtered-datasets/details/9

View answer source (opens in a new tab)Source checked: 2026-10-31

Location & directions

Universal Service Recycling, Inc.

570 S 9th St Modesto CA 95351 USA

Modesto, CA

37.622526°N, 120.985622°W

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