Keep waste out of the landfill by knowing which bin it belongs in before you throw it out.
Thoughtful sorting also cleans up our community's compost and recycling streams – making it easier for local facilities to turn plastic, glass, food scraps and other waste into valuable materials that can be resold and recirculated.
Many waste haulers are still collecting large, brown paper bags used for yard trimmings. These bags must be left next to your compost bin. Please check with your waste hauler for more information. Large yard trimmings, like branches, can be taken to Western Disposal’s Yard Waste Drop-Off Center for a reduced fee.
Please see Hazardous and Hard-to-Recycle Materials for more recycling options.
The Eco-Cycle/City of Boulder Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM) helps Boulder recycle what is otherwise un-recyclable. The facility collects a variety of items that are not accepted in Boulder’s curbside recycling bins, including electronics and appliances, plastic bags, mattresses, textiles and scrap metal. Once collected and sorted, the facility sells materials to companies who transform them into new products.
Find a full list of accepted materials and recycling fees on Eco-Cycle's website.
Plastic bags, bubble wrap, electronics, fire extinguishers and bike parts can all be recycled at the CHaRM.
Boulder County's Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF) safely processes many hazardous household products, including batteries, paint, pool chemicals and drain cleaners.
It is not always easy to tell whether or not a material is hazardous. Look for these warning words: poison, toxic, corrosive, volatile, flammable, inflammable, combustible, explosive, danger, caution, warning or harmful.
Review HMMF's full list of accepted materials.
