Roaring Fork Valley Recycling Guide

F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N V I S I T :WASTEFREEROARINGFORK.ORG

WHY RECYCLE? Recycling is one of the easiest actions you can take to support clean air and water, save our forest ecosystems, reduce energy, and protect the environment.

CURBSIDE RECYCLING HAULERS:Contact each hauler directly for items accepted and sorting procedures:Mountain Waste & Recycling: (970) 945-2822 or (970) 963-3435 (formerly InterMountain Waste and Recycling and Mountain Refuse Inc.) Dual Stream Recycling

VIP Trash: (970) 945-9228 | www.viptrash.netSingle or dual stream recycling depending on home’s location

Waste Management: 1(866) 909-4458 | www.wm.comSingle Stream Recycling

RECYCLING DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:Please contact each location directly or visit their website for hours of operation and items accepted.Aspen: • The Pitkin County Landfill (970) 429-2880 | Mile Marker 32 on Hwy 82 in Snowmass

between the Aspen Village & Brush Creek traffic signals. • Rio Grand Recycling Center (970) 429-1831 | Located on Rio Grand Place next to the

skate park. • Visit www.landfillrules.com/recycling/ for complete details on both locationsBasalt: • Waste Management’s transfer station, 15 Park Avenue. No phone number. For use by Pitkin &

Eagle County residents only.• Accepts cans, plastics 1-7, aluminum foil, recyclable glass, paper including copy paper,

mail, paper bags, magazines, phone books, newspapers & receipts and corrugated cardboard, six-pack holders, cereal boxes (with the liner removed), cardboard tubes, etc.

• To ensure glass is recycled do not put it in the co-mingled bin. Place it in the glass-only bin. No waxed or food stained items.

Glenwood Springs: • Town Recycling Center: 1015 School Street | (970) 945-2931

www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us/departments/publicworks/recycle/index.htm• South Canyon Landfilll 1205 CR 130 | (970) 945-5375

www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us/departments/publicworks/landfill/sclandfill_neww_2013.htm

General Household Recycling:

NOTE!Do not mix food waste, plastic bags, polystyrene foam cups & containers, hangers or hazardous waste with your recyclables.

NOTE!Compostable containers (plastics marked as “compostable”) are not recyclable. They must be composted at a certified facility or disposed of in the trash. Compostables that are placed in the recycling can contaminate the waste stream potentially making it so that the recyclable items have to be thrown in the trash.

RECYCLING TIPS: Glass bottles & jars, cans (except aerosol), #1-7 plastics (except compostable plant based plastics & Styrofoam), foil, newspaper, magazines, cardboard (except food stained), paperboard, office paper & envelopes, phonebooks, etc.Ask your current hauler about curbside recycling services. You might just be able to downsize your trashcan and add recycling for little to no extra cost! These services are offered in dual or single stream recycling. Dual stream involves separating paper and cardboard from cans, bottles & plastics, while single stream collects them all in a single container.• Empty and rinse all containers.• Paper and cardboard must be dry and free of food debris. Food grease and stains

contaminate the recycling process, however, paper with food debris and shredded paper can be composted.

• Loosen caps from bottles but leave lids attached to containers.

COMPOSTING IS EASY! You could reduce close to half of your household waste just through composting your food scraps. You can build your own compost bin at home (visit the Glenwood Springs Environmental Programs page to download a compost brochure here: www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us/departments/publicworks/recycle/GWS_CompostHome.pdf) or have your food scraps picked up through a commercial hauler. Commercial composting facilities process items that can’t be easily composted at home such as meat and compostable dinnerware.

CURBSIDE COMPOST HAULERS• EverGreen Events: (970) 987-3140 | www.evergreenevents.net

Office-Suite 2 at the Third Street Center in Carbondale. EverGreen Events offers curbside collection of all your organic materials including meat, bone & dairy, tissue, paper towels, waxed cardboard, pizza boxes, compostable dinnerware, yard waste & more. EverGreen Events also offers zero waste event planning services.

• Mountain Waste & Recycling (970) 963-3435.

PITKIN COUNTY RESIDENTS: • Businesses, homeowners & HOA’s in Pitkin County can receive a free indoor collection

bin from the City of Aspen. Contact Liz O’Connell, the City of Aspen’s Waste Reduction & Environmental Health Specialist at (970) 429-1831.

• Residents may drop off their food scraps for free at Pitkin County Landfill.

NOTE: Buy compostable dinnerware instead of plastic for your next party or picnic to reduce your waste. Some grocery stores now carry compostable plates, cups, and cutlery made from paper, corn, potato, and sugar cane. Compostable products are oftentimes a better environmental choice than plastic, but they MUST BE composted in order to achieve their maximum environmental benefit. These items can NOT be recycled. Make sure the products are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).

Locally, EverGreen Events sells compostable products.

Composting:

DID YOU KNOW: Almost half of the food in the U.S. goes to waste -approximately 3,000 pounds per second. (Source: http:/recycleacrossamerica.org/recycling-facts)

DID YOU KNOW:Plastic straws and plastic cutlery cannot be recycled. These are trash.

DID YOU KNOW: Americans throw away enough office paper each year to build a 12 foot high wall from Seattle to New York. (Source: http://recycleacrossamerica.org/recycling-facts)

DID YOU KNOW:Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for 2 hours, power a computer for 3 hours, power a 100W light bulb for 20 hours. (Source: Waste Management)

BATTERIES:Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment.

RECYCLING LOCATIONS: • Aspen: Pitkin County Landfill & the Rio Grande Recycling Center• Glenwood Springs: – Town Recycling Center

– Brite Ideas- (513) 504-6887 | 5392 Cty Rd 154 www. coloradobulbrecycling.com

CELL PHONES: FREE DROP-OFF: • Valley-wide: Each Alpine Bank location collects old cell phones. Bring in your old cell phone

(make sure it is inactive) and any accessories. The phones and accessories are refurbished and donated to various community assistance organizations or they are recycled.

• Aspen: – Pitkin County landfill – City of Aspen City Hall on the first floor.

If you would like to suggest another location to place a collection box, please contact Aurelio Rubio at aurelio.rubio@pitkincounty.com. GET PAID TO RECYCLE YOUR OLD CELL PHONE: Waste Management will pay you for your old cell phone. Learn more here: www.wmpaystorecycle.com/. Go online to register and you can ship it for free and then receive payment!

CLOTHES & TEXTILES: Clothing that is still in good condition can be taken to a local thrift store. Call ahead and confirm which items they will accept. Clothing, shoes and other textiles that cannot be sold at your local thrift store can be transported out of the Valley and recycled into a variety of products including cleaning rags, carpet padding, rubberized playgrounds and insulation.

RECYCLING LOCATIONS: Basalt Select Thrift Store: Accepts textiles and shoes including well-worn, torn and even stained items. Basalt Thrift is the Valley’s only textile recycler and each year they keep over a half a million pounds of usable items out of the landfill. 180 South Side Drive in Basalt. (970) 927-6488. www.basaltthrift.org/recycle/

ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING: In 2013, Colorado passed a law making it illegal to landfill electronic waste or “e-waste,” defined as anything that has a plug or uses batteries. These items contain lead and other toxic materials that can leak out of the landfill and pollute our watershed.

RECYCLING LOCATIONS: • Aspen: Pitkin County Landfill. Pitkin County residents receive a $100 credit to the landfill each

year. Bring proof of residency such as a utility bill or vehicle registration plus your ID.• Glenwood Springs: Town Recycling Center & South Canyon Landfill. • Garfield County Residents: Garfield County citizens may drop off their e-waste from

1:00 - 3:00PM the second Thursday of each month at the Road & Bridge District Shop located at 7300 Hwy 82 Glenwood Springs. (970) 625-2516.

Other Recycleable Items: Contact each location directly for more information. Fees may apply for certain items.

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, LUMBER & FURNITURE:The Habitat for Humanity Restore: (970) 945-7733 and www.restorecarbondale.com.• Basalt: 140 Basalt Center Circle • Glenwood Springs: –7025 Highway 82 on Hwy 82 at mile marker 7 –120 Midland Ave. Just past Target and Lowes on Midland AveThe Restore will accept household items in new condition including: appliances, cabinets, doors, flooring materials, furniture, light fixtures in working condition, full and 1/2 sheets of plywood, full lengths of lumber, trim in smaller pieces, but not less than 4 feet long, paint, 4’ and over of any type of pipe, and all supplies and fittings, fiberglass tubs, sinks, toilets, all types of roofing material, tools, windows and screens. The items that are accepted vary at each location. Contact ReStore prior to dropping off items.

They will even pick up your items for free! To arrange pick up, visit: www.restorecarbondale.com/donation-pick-up-request.

LIGHT BULB RECYCLING: CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should be recycled.

RECYCLING LOCATIONS: • Valley-wide: Alpine Bank: In partnership with Holy Cross Energy, all Alpine Bank locations within

the Holy Cross Energy service area will collect and recycle burned out CFL light bulbs.• Aspen:The City of Aspen Environmental Health Department located on the 2nd floor of the City

Hall in Aspen at 130 S. Galena Street. (970) 920-5039• Carbondale: The Ace Hardware located in the Crystal Village Plaza Shopping Center at 1101

Highway 133. (970) 963-6663• Glenwood Springs: Brite Ideas Bulb Recycling: They will recycle ALL light bulbs, including linear

fluorescent, compact fluorescent, high pressure sodium, metal halide and UV lamps, non-PCB electronic ballasts and magnetic ballasts. Located at All Phase Electric Supply at 5392 Cty Rd 154. (513) 504-6887. www.coloradobulbrecycling.com.

MEDICATIONS Medications that are flushed down the toilet are polluting the nation’s drinking water. In 2002, scientists with the US Geological Survey found antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control, seizure medication, cancer treatments, pain killers, tranquilizers and cholesterol-lowering compounds in 80% of the water they tested. Keep our water clean by disposing of old medications properly.

RECYCLING LOCATIONS:• Aspen: The City of Aspen Police Department will accept medications (prescription or over-the-

counter) anonymously. The items are properly destroyed. 506 E. Main St., Aspen (970) 920-5400• Glenwood Springs: The Glenwood Springs Police Department has a medication drop-off box

for non-liquids only. Citizens can bring in their expired or unused prescription medications and dispose of them in the metal container. All items are then collected and properly destroyed. This is totally anonymous without any contact with law enforcement officials. 101 West 8th St. (970) 384-6500.

• Valley-Wide: City Market Pharmacy sells kits for safe disposal of medications. Visit your local City Market or www.medsaway.com for more information.

Other Recycleable Items:

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METAL:RECYCLING LOCATIONS:• Aspen: Pitkin County landfill• Glenwood Springs: – Town Recycling Center – The Habitat for Humanity Restore accepts 4 feet and over of any type of pipe, and all supplies and fittings.

PACKAGING MATERIALS:RECYCLING LOCATIONS: • Aspen: Millennium Pack ‘n Ship accepts recycled packaging materials including clean bubble wrap,

foam sheets and peanuts. 465 N Mill St # 12. (970) 920-2204. • Glenwood Springs: UPS accepts packaging peanuts. Located at 1338 Grand Ave. (970) 945-1525.

PAINT & LIQUID HAZARDOUS WASTE: Including oil, miscellaneous household chemicals, spray cans, etc.RECYCLING LOCATIONS:• The Pitkin County Landfill: Will accept all paints and paint related chemicals, oil, antifreeze, aerosol

cans and other liquids. Residents with volumes greater than 55 gallons of paint, motor oil or other hazardous material should call Jed Miller at 429-2892 or Jed.Miller@pitkincounty.com or Aurelio Rubio at 429-2888 or Aurelio.Rubio@pitkincounty.com to discuss disposal options.

• Habitat for Humanity Restore: Will accept latex paint. • PaintCare: www.paintcare.org. Located at the Sherwin Williams in Glenwood & Aspen and

Ace Hardware in Carbondale will accept: - Interior and exterior paints: latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel (including textured coatings) - Deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric) - Primers, sealers, undercoaters - Stains - Shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component) - Waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellents (not tar or bitumen-based) - Metal coatings, rust preventatives - Field and lawn paints

PLASTIC BAGS: Plastic bags (even with a triangle and number) are difficult to recycle as they can get tangled in the recycling sorting machinery. Separate your bags and take them to a location that transports plastic bags to a recycling facility. Some grocery stores collect plastic bags including:RECYCLING LOCATIONS: • City Market in El Jebel• Safeway in Glenwood Springs• Wal-Mart in Glenwood Springs

Aspen has a “Bag Bank” system at various locations to allow people to pick up reusable bags and leave clean, reusable (not single-use plastic or paper) bags at no charge.

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Other Recycleable Items:

DID YOU KNOW: The triangle of arrows with a number in the center, featured on most plastics, simply indicates the type of plastic the item is constructed from. It is not a recycling symbol, it is a code for different chemicals. For example, some plastic bags have a triangle with a #2 or #4, but our local recyclers do not accept them.

REFRIGERATORS:Refrigerators must have the freon removed and be stamped as such by a certified freon removal specialist.RECYCLING LOCATIONS:• Alltemp: Call (970) 927-8304. $40 if dropped off in Glenwood Springs at

3405 South Grand Ave. $102.50 for pickup.• Valley Refrigeration: Call (970) 945-9859. $45 for freon removal or $75 for freon removal and disposal.• Pete’s Refrigeration: (970) 379-4819• Xcel: If Excel is your utility provider they will pick up and recycle your old working refrigerator or freezer

for free as well as provide you a cash rebate. For details visit www.xcelenergy.com/Energy_Solutions/Residential_Solutions/Rebates_&_Energy_Savings/Refrigerator_Recycling

• Holy Cross Energy: has rebates for $100 to replace an older model or get rid of an extra working unit. Visit www.holycross.com to apply.

SNOW SPORTS EQUIPMENT:The Snow Sports Recycling Program (SSRP) is a first-in-the-nation pilot program to recycle snow sports equipment. SSRP has a network of drop-off locations with participating retailers in Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Portland. So far, they have recycled approximately 500 tons of equipment. RECYCLING LOCATIONS:• Glenwood Springs: Recycle your skis, snowboards, boots, poles and helmets at Mountain Sports Outlet.

205 6th St, Glenwood Springs. (970) 945-5001. • For Aspen, Snowmass & other locations visit: www.snowsrp.org/getinvolved/drop-off-locations

TIRES:RECYCLING LOCATIONS:• Aspen: Pitkin County landfill• Basalt: Big O Tires 100 Southside Dr | (970) 927-3038• Glenwood Springs: - South Canyon Landfill

- Big O Tires 51079 Hwy 6 | (970) 945-8550

UNCOMMON ITEMS: • www.terracycle.com: Recycles a variety of objects including oral care items, water filters, cigarette

waste, snack bags and more! They even donate the revenue from recycling these items to a non-profit of your choice.

• www.search.earth911.com: This website will locate recycling centers near you. • www.ecocycle.org/charm: Heading to Boulder? Visit EcoCycles’s CHaRM facility (Center for Hard to

Recycle Materials). They recycle a variety of items ranging from cooking oil, yoga mats, bike parts, concrete, porcelain fixtures, styrofoam and more!

Other Recycleable Items:

DID YOU KNOW: Your old plastic bottle could become your new fleece jacket? When plastic bottles are recycled, they are shredded into flakes used to create fibers which are, in turn, used in the filling for sleeping bags, as loft insulation and in fleeces, hats, carpets and business suits.(Management)

LOCAL LANDFILL LOCATIONS: Please contact these entities directly for the most current operating hours and fees.

Most facilities don’t charge for household recycling.• Pitkin County Resource Recovery Landfill: 32046 Highway 82, Snowmass Village, (970) 429-2880, www.landfillrules.com • Garfield County Landfill: 0075 CR 246 Rifle, (970) 625-2516, (970) 945-5375, www.garfield-county.com/landfill• South Canyon Landfill: 1205 CR 130 Glenwood Springs, www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us

This guide was compiled by Waste Free Roaring Fork and the Town of Carbondale’s Environmental Board. You are encouraged to contact each entity directly for the most current information regarding recycling procedures, acceptable items, hours and recycling fees. Visit www.wastefreeroaringfork.org for more information on waste reduction and www.carbondalegov.org for information pertaining to Carbondale’s Environmental Board.

According to the EPA, the average person generates over 4 pounds of trash every day and about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year. Over 75% of that waste is recyclable, but Americans only recycle about 30% of it (according to www.greenwaste.com).

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