Residential Guidelines

Residential GuidelinesGuidelines are provided under the following topics:

Trash
Recycling
Hazardous Waste
Electronics
Organics

If you “Know Before You Throw,” you can reduce your amount of trash to a fraction of what it was. This photo represents the average amount of trash and recyclables generated in a week. After sorting the recyclables from the trash, there is only one small bag of trash left.

Trash Collection Guidelines

General Guidelines for Collection Day
  • Have your trash and recyclables out by 7:00 a.m.to ensure pickup.
  • If you use trash cans or bags, do not use sizes larger than 32-gallon size. For the safety of our drivers, please do not overload trash cans or bags with more than 35 pounds of material.
  • Tie trash bags securely.
  • Additional charges will be added for trash, including yard waste, that exceeds your service level limits.
  • If branches will not fit in your cart, cans or bags, cut branches into five-foot lengths and tie into bundles no larger than three feet in diameter.
  • Tires, furniture, appliances, carpet, construction debris, etc., can be picked up for an extra charge.
  • Call in advance to authorize special pickup of large or unusual items.
  • Call in advance to arrange a change of address, a vacation stop and restart, or name change on your account.
  • Grass clippings, bundled branches and special items must be placed within three feet of the curb or alley.

Guidelines for Automated Cart Service

  • Only use trash and recycle carts provided by Western.
  • Place carts at least two feet apart and two feet from parked cars, recycling bins, fences, mailboxes and other obstructions.
  • Place carts with arrow facing the street and the handle facing your house.
  • Unhook any temporary bungee cords or tie-downs you may have used to secure the lid before setting the cart(s) out on collection day.
  • Do not overload cart(s). Do not place dirt, sod, brick, concrete or rock in the cart(s).
  • Please bag your trash and tie securely before placing in cart.
  • Do not bag recyclable items. Place them directly in the appropriate recycle cart.
  • Do not place anything on top of cart(s).
  • Do not mark or write anywhere on the cart surface. Do not paint or deface the cart in any way.
  • Do not place hot ashes, coals or other flammable materials such as solvents, oil, gas or paint in the cart.
  • Fill your trash cart first before placing materials outside the cart.
  • Do not remove the cart(s) from your home if you move. The cart(s) is the property of Western Disposal.
  • All recyclables must fit in the cart.

With any service level, if there is more trash than the service level allows, or if large and bulky items are put out, it will result in an additional charge. Please call in advance so we may advise you of the charge.

Guidelines for Can/Bag/Bin Service

  • Do not set out your recyclables on windy days. When possible, save your materials for the next assigned pickup day for the appropriate material.
  • Use sturdy plastic bins to set out your recyclables.
  • Do not set out recyclables in plastic or paper bags.
  • Tie trash bags securely.
  • Use trash cans or bags which are no larger than a 32-gallon size (no 55 gallon drums). Do not overload trash cans or bags. They should not exceed 35 pounds.
  • If animals get into your trash, spray the outside of the cans or bags with ammonia.

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Recycling Guidelines

These guidelines apply to customers who subscribe to our cart or bin service. See below for the guidelines for co-collect bag customers.

To download a printable version of the guidelines for single stream recycling in English click here.

To download a printable version of the guidelines for single stream recycling in Spanish click here.

SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING GUIDELINES

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, rubberbands, 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, no #7 PLA compostables, do not flatten)
  • Plastic screw-top jars (#1 - #7, no lids, no #7 PLA compostables, do not flatten)
  • Glass bottles & jars (remove lids)
  • Aluminum cans
  • Clean, balled aluminum foil (2” or larger) & 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 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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CO-COLLECT BAG GUIDELINES

These guidelines apply to customers who live in rural or mountain areas and subscribe to our co-collect bag service.

To download a printable version of the guidelines for co-collect bags in English click here.

To download a printable version of the guidelines for co-collect bags in Spanish click here.

This program is designed so that you can mix everything together in one bag. All recyclables included in the guidelines above, except glass items, can be placed in the bag. You may mix your newspaper, junk mail, cans and plastic bottles. Glass is not allowed in this program to protect our drivers and sorters.

How to Maximize Your Recycling at Home (and Decrease Your Trash)

    The key to efficient recycling is an easy-to-use storage system that fits into your daily routine. Recycling can take effort, but when you make it convenient and create a system for it, recycling gets to be an easy habit. Here are some tips that will help you recycle more and trash less:
  • Make recycling convenient. Have a place to store recyclables wherever they are generated. Example: place a box under your desk in your home office for office paper, set a bin under your kitchen sink for commingled containers.
  • Set up an intermediate holding location for each level of your home using separate bins for mixed paper, commingled containers and trash. These bins can then be easily emptied taken to the trash and recycle area outside.
  • Have a dedicated storage area outside for your recyclables. If you have recycle carts, they can be placed almost anywhere: garages, carports, on the side of your house, etc. The carts have lids and friction locks to protect materials from the wind and weather, and they are difficult for animals to access.
  • Place a copy of the recycle guidelines wherever you have a recycle container so you can easily identify what materials are acceptable guidelines.
  • Place a copy of the recycle collection calendar where it is convenient and easy to find.
  • Start “waste reduction” at the store:
    • Select products with minimal packaging
    • Use products in containers that can be recycled locally
    • Reuse plastic and paper grocery bags or bring your own canvas or net bags
    • Bring your own containers to stores that sell products in bulk
  • Compost your food scraps and yard waste. For larger quantities of yard waste, consider these alternatives:
    • Utilize the annual City of Boulder Spring cleanup at curbside to dispose of yard waste
    • Bring materials to the year-round yard waste drop-off sponsored by the city of Boulder and Boulder County—located at Western Disposal’s Trash and Recycle Center.
    • Deliver your leaves to your municipality’s fall leaf recycling program
  • Reuse items when possible. Donate clothing, furniture, etc., to any of the following charities

    • Organizations that pick up reusable items free of charge:

    • Vietnam Veterans of America 800-775-8387
    • Association for Retarded Citizens 303-238-5263
    • Salvation Army 800-958-7825
    • ARES Thrift Shops 303-651-6066 (Longmont) or 303-444-8088 (Boulder)
    • Disabled American Veterans 303-288-8387 x303

    Drop-off centers:

    • Bargain Basement Thrift 720-494-0987 (Longmont)
    • Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Foundation Thrift Shoppe 720-890-4311 (Louisville)
    • Boulder County Recycling Center
    • Boulder Freecycle  720-304-2171
    • Boulder Humane Society Thrift Shop 303-415-0685
    • Flatirons Habitat Thrift Store 303-404-2008 (Broomfield)
    • Goodwill Industries 303-650-7700
    • HospiceCare & Share Thrift Shop 303-604-5353 (Boulder)
    • Longmont Humane Society Thrift Store 720-494-8348
    • Savers 303-499-6979 (Boulder)
    • 2nd Hand Revival 303-258-7240 (Nederland)
    • Sister Carmen Community Center 303-665-4342 (Lafayette)
    • Get your entire household involved. If you have children, make recycling an educational opportunity. Make recycling easy and fun. Reward your household for a job well done.
    • Explore this website or call the Recycle Boulder Hotline at 303-441-4234 for additional help and information.

    Have another good idea? Please e-mail it to us at recycle@westerndisposal.com.

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    Household Hazardous Waste Guidelines

    The following products are accepted at the HHW facility. For HHW facility hours, click here

    HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

    • Abrasive cleaners
    • Aerosols
    • Ammonia-based cleaners
    • Batteries (household) Note: most alkaline and zinc carbon batteries can be safely disposed of with household trash.
    • Bleach cleaners
    • Cooking oil
    • Degreasers
    • Deodorizers
    • Disinfectants
    • Floor cleaners & wax
    • Fluorescent lamp ballasts (unless states no PCB’s)
    • Furniture polishers
    • Laundry products
    • Moth balls
    • Mercury switches
    • Mercury thermometers
    • Oven cleaners
    • Pool chemicals
    • Rug & upholstery cleaners
    • Rust & spot removers
    • Silver cleaners
    • Toilet & drain cleaner

    LAWN PRODUCTS

    • Fertilizers
    • Fungicides
    • Herbicides
    • Insecticides
    • Pesticides
    • Roach & ant killers
    • Rodent poisons
    • Soil fumigants
    • Weed killers

    AUTO PRODUCTS

    • Antifreeze
    • Auto body filler
    • Batteries (auto and motorcycle)
    • Brake fluid
    • Car cleaners
    • Car waxes and chrome polish
    • Carburetor cleaner
    • Diesel fuel
    • Engine degreaser
    • Gasoline, kerosene or lamp oil
    • Radiator flushes
    • Transmission fluid
    • Used or unused motor oil

    PAINT, HOBBY AND PET PRODUCTS

    • Caulks, glues and cements
    • Chemistry sets
    • Flea powder & collars
    • Flea sprays & shampoo
    • Lacquers & stains
    • Latex (water-based) paint Note: Alternatively, latex paint can be dried out and disposed of with regular trash.
    • Mineral spirits
    • Model airplane paints
    • Oil-based (alkyd) paints
    • Paint remover & stripper
    • Paint thinners & turpentine
    • Photographic chemicals & solutions
    • Propane tanks (camping size only)
    • Resins, fiberglass and epoxy
    • Rubber cement thinner
    • Rust proofing products
    • Varnishes
    • Wood preservatives

    Waste Products NOT accepted at Boulder County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility (and resources for these products):

    • Asbestos insulation, or large quantities of asbestos tile or linoleum
    • Business wastes including: industrial, agricultural, municipal, school, church, non-profit or other community organization wastes
    • Empty containers
    • Explosive or shock sensitive wastes
    • Fire extinguishers
    • Medical wastes, medicines, and sharps
    • Non-hazardous waste
    • Propane tanks
    • Radioactive materials
    • Smoke Detectors (some contain small amounts of radioactive material)

    Alkaline and zinc carbon batteries
    Most types of alkaline and zinc carbon (often called “heavy duty” or “general purpose”) batteries can be disposed of with regular trash. For more information, call the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division at 720.564.2220 for a Household Battery Fact Sheet.

    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
    Boulder County’s household hazardous waste facility accepts only household wastes at this time. All businesses are responsible for disposing of hazardous wastes in compliance with state and federal regulations.

    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.

    A new hazardous waste facility is being developed by Boulder County that will accept hazardous wastes from businesses that generate small quantities of hazardous wastes and can be categorized as “conditionally-exempt small quantity generators.” Opening is slated for Spring 2006.

    EMPTY containers
    Dispose of with regular trash, or if metal, recycle with scrap metal. Note: Empty containers with dried out latex paint can also be disposed with regular trash.

    Explosive or shock sensitive wastes
    Contact your local sheriff’s office before moving explosive or shock sensitive materials. They will accept dangerous materials for safe disposal. This includes unwanted ammunition, road flares and fireworks.

    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/hm/hhw/howto/needles.asp. Also contact Boulder County Public Health at 303.441.1100.

    Non-hazardous wastes
    Dispose of with regular trash.

    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.

    Smoke detectors (some contain small amounts of radioactive material)
    Households can dispose of smoke detectors with their regular trash. Some manufacturers of these units also offer take back. Businesses should use hazardous waste disposal contractors.

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    Electronics Guidelines

    Electronic Guidelines
    For information about electronics recycling, click here.

    Organics Recycling Guidelines

    YARD WASTE DROP-OFF

    YES

    Grass clippings
    Leaves
    Weeds
    Flowers
    Woody waste up to 6” in diameter
    Sawdust

    NO

    Sod
    Woody waste over 6” in diameter
    Animal droppings
    Food waste, either vegetable or meat
    Lumber
    Construction debris
    Dirt, rock, brick or pavers

    WOOD WASTE DROP-OFF

    YES

    Dimensional lumber
    Cutoffs
    Pallets
    OSB
    Plywood
    Particleboard
    Other engineered wood products (I-joists and microlams)

    NO

    Painted wood
    Chemically treated wood (CCA, Creosol, others)
    Plastic wood products (wood-polymer lumber)

    English Composting Guidelines
    Spanish Composting Guidelines

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