Commercial Guidelines

To help you in preparing your materials, we are providing the following guidelines. As you will see, some of the guidelines are in PDF form in both English and Spanish and can be printed for attaching to your carts, containers, or distribution to your employees, tenants, etc.

Recycling
Hazardous Waste
Electronics
Organics

Recycling Guidelines

Single-Stream Recycling Guidelines

To download a printable version of these guidelines in English click here.

To download a printable version of these guidelines in Spanish click here.

All approved recyclables must fit in the recycle cart.

YES . YES . YES .

Paper & Cardboard

  • Office paper & opened mail
  • Copy & loose leaf paper
  • Letterhead
  • Brochures & pamphlets
  • Greeting & index cards
  • Computer printouts
  • File folders
  • Blueprints
  • Paste-colored paper & envelopes
  • Newspapers & inserts
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Brown paper bags
  • Phonebooks
  • Cereal & other paperboard boxes
  • Paper egg cartons

No need to remove: paperclips, stamps, address labels, staples, tape, wire, metal fasteners, rubber bands, plastic spiral bindings, plastic tabs.

If cardboard boxes don’t fit in the cart, flatten and place under the cart lid.

Containers

  • Plastic bottles and jugs(#1- #7, no lids)
  • Plastic screw-top jars(#1 only, no lids)
  • Glass bottles & jars(remove lids)
  • Aluminum foil & pie pans
  • Clean aluminum foil & pie pans
  • Steel/tin cans
  • Empty aerosol cans(no lids)
  • Paper milk & juice cartons
  • Juice boxes & drink boxes(no foil pouches)
  • Metal jar lids & steel bottle caps

Please note: Empty and rinse all containers. Do not flatten containers.

NO . NO . NO .

  • No plastics other than those listed
  • No plastic bags
  • No plastic caps
  • No motor oil bottles
  • No vitamin or prescription bottles
  • No plastic 6-pack holders
  • No plastic film canisters
  • No plastic microwave trays
  • No plastic or Styrofoam® to-go containers
  • No neon, fluorescent, goldenrod or dark-colored paper
  • No gift wrap or tissue paper
  • No tissues, paper towels, napkins
  • No waxed paper or waxed cardboard
  • No shredded paper
  • No paper ream wrappers
  • No books
  • No photographs
  • No Kraft® (orangish/brown/yellow) envelopes
  • No backing from stickers or labels
  • No stickers(address labels and stamps ok)
  • No frozen food, ice cream or frozen juice containers
  • No paper to-go containers(they have a plastic coating)
  • No paper cups or plates
  • No straws
  • No foil drink pouches
  • No Tyvek® envelopes
  • No Styrofoam® egg cartons
  • No pet food, kitty litter, fertilizer or charcoal bags
  • No Styrofoam® “clamshell” boxes
  • No drinking glasses, window glass
  • No light bulbs, plates or vases
  • No mirrors, ceramics or Pyrex®
  • No scrap metal
  • No string
  • No hazardous or bio-hazardous waste
  • No diapers
  • No needles or syringes
If in doubt, throw it out! Don’t guess.

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Commercial Hazardous Waste Guidelines

The Household Hazardous Waste facility does not accept items from commercial entities. For more information, click here to access their web site.

Asbestos insulation, or large quantities of asbestos tile or linoleum
Never attempt to remove products you suspect contain asbestos (floor tiles, linoleum, insulation materials). Asbestos fibers are dangerous if inhaled. Call Boulder County Public Health for information 303-441-1100, or consult with a certified asbestos removal contractor.

Business wastes including: industrial, agricultural, municipal, school, church, non-profit or other community organization wastes
Companies providing hazardous waste collection services are listed in the Phone Book Yellow Pages under “Waste Disposal – Hazardous” or “Environmental and Ecological Services.” A list of companies that provide hazardous services is also available from the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division; call 720-564-2220 to request a copy. Contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment 303-692-3300 for information on hazardous waste generator requirements. Also contact EPA Region 8 at 303-312-6149 and Boulder County Public Health 303-441-1100 for information on reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and pollution prevention.

Fire extinguishers
Contact your local fire department or fire extinguisher dealers. Call the HHW program at 720-564-2220 for a handout including contact information.

Medical wastes, medicines, and sharps
All medical wastes require special handling and disposal. Call Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Solid Waste Section, for more information 303-692-3437 or 303-692-3320, or refer to their website at www.cdphe.state.co.us. Also contact Boulder County Public Health at 303-441-1100.

Propane tanks (BBQ grill-size or larger)
Contact local propane supply companies.

Radioactive materials
Call the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, Radiation Control Division at 303-692-3300.

Electronic Guidelines


For information about electronics recycling, click here.

Organics Recycling Guidelines

English Composting Guidelines
Spanish Composting Guidelines

For information about our compost and mulch products, click here.