Tips to keep the recycling waste stream clean and marketable:
- DO NOT PUT YOUR RECYCLING IN PLASTIC BAGS – It cannot be processed at the recycling center and will either be emptied by hand (expensive!) or thrown in the trash (bummer since you went to all that trouble to separate it).
- No loose plastic bags of any kind – they get tangled up in the equipment. Most grocery stores will recycle grocery bags and the Boulder County Hard to Recycle Materials (CHarM) Center accepts many kinds of film-type plastic.
- Don’t flatten cartons or cans – these items are separated based on their dimension and the machines separate flat material with the paper.
- DO attach plastic screw-top lids to plastic containers – if they come in loose they go out as trash.
- Remove metal lids from glass containers; they go in your bin separately.
- Shredded paper should go in your compost cart.
- Do not put scrap metal in your recycling bin. It can be dropped off at Western’s Trash & Recycle Center (fees may apply).
- Frozen food boxes and the containers inside are trash – these materials are simply not recyclable.
- Rinse it! Be respectful of the folks who handle the material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you taking my recycling to the landfill?
Absolutely not! Our customers (that means YOU!) have proven to be savvy and conscientious recyclers, enabling the Boulder County Recycling Center to produce clean, marketable material with low contamination rates. Recycling is alive and well in our area so keep at it!
Can I leave extra recyclables outside my cart?
The first step is to flatten your cardboard boxes to maximize your cart space. If you still have extra material you may set it beside your cart in a cardboard box. Please do not leave loose recyclable material outside your cart.
Why can’t I recycle my paper coffee or soda cup?
Although these cups are made of paper, they are lined with plastic to help prevent leakage. This plastic lining prevents it from being recyclable and they must be placed in the trash.
This red Solo cup has a recycling symbol on the bottom, why can’t I recycle it?
These cups get crushed in the truck on their way to the recycling center. Once crushed they can’t be sorted and wind up as contamination.
How do I dispose of electronics?
Electronics such as computers, radios, DVD players, TVs, VCRs, chargers, and video game consoles, were banned from going to the landfill in Colorado in 2013. These items are accepted for a fee that the CHarM Center located at 6400 Arapahoe.
How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?
Anyone who lives in Boulder or Broomfield Counties or the Town of Erie can bring their materials, free of charge, to the Boulder County Household Materials Management facility. This includes paint, oil, solvents, cleaners, rechargeable batteries, etc. For information and a full list of materials accepted, call their hotline at 720-564-2251 or visit their website.
Can I recycle…?
There are many random items out there that you may be unsure as to whether or not they can be recycled. Use the Waste Wizard tool on our site to determine what goes where.
