colorado springs dispose of lcd monitors made in china

It’s the season of bike riding, moving, lawn care, and massive garage clean-ups. Whether you’re cleaning out your garage in anticipation of a move or just finding a place to park the bikes- you have probably encountered a pile of stuff you know you’re not supposed to throw in the regular garbage (like CFL light bulbs or paint used in the living room three colors ago) but you’re not sure what to do with all that waste.

Beyond the great feeling you will get when all that waste is gone, here are a few great reasons to make the leap and properly dispose of that junk that’s been cluttering up your space:

You will help extend the life of existing landfills by keeping recyclable materials out of them, and are then preventing new ones from being built as quickly.

What they will take: They will take a lot of your e-waste, but it is worth checking their website for specifics. They generally limit each household to three items per day and won’t accept large appliance drop-offs.

For more information: Click herefor a complete list of what they take and more information about their non-profit program to provide jobs for people with disabilities.

As a side note, if you are disposing your computer, look for a place that will properly destroy your hard drive so your personal information doesn’t end up where you don’t want it.  Many of the above places will provide a hard drive destroying service for you for an extra fee.

If you want a complete list of things that should not be tossed in your regular trash and even more options for the proper disposal of hazardous or electronic waste, El Paso County has put together a great resource that can be found here.

Recycling your computer monitor helps ensure that valuable materials like plastic, glass and metal are recycled for reuse. And just as importantly, it is also providing the important benefit of keeping less desirable materials found in computer monitors, such as lead and other heavy metals, out of our natural environment.  Colorado State Law prohibits the dumping of CRT, also known as Cathode Ray Tube,monitors.These old monitors can contain more than 4 pounds of lead for an average sized monitor, along with other hazardous materials such as cadmium and even arsenic.

Out with the old and in with the new!  If you live in the Colorado Springs area, and you’re wanting to get rid of your old console television, or simply ready to upgrade your flatscreen TV, then it’s time for you to call ETech Recyclers.  ETech Recyclers offers the responsible recycling of all your electronic items, including those bulky console televisions and projection TV’s.

DANGER: Never attempt to break down an old console TV set!  These sets are called CRT’s, short for Cathode Ray Tube, and each television monitor can hold more than 4 pounds of lead, which may be hazardous if not handled properly, as does the arsenic, mercury, beryllium and cadmium than is also found in old TV sets.

It’s the new year! Did you make a resolution to clear out the clutter and get rid of that computer from 10 years ago that’s just taking up space in your closet? Before you decide to take it to the dump, here are a few options to actually *recycle* that old computer!

Computer electronics recycling is one of the most important things you can do in order to help the environment. You may not realize it, but electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest-growing type of industrial garbage on Earth. It has been estimated that millions of tons of e-waste are created every year, and this is expected to rise as technology advances.

However, recycling computer electronics is not always an easy task. You have to consider where you will drop it off, how much time you are willing to invest in the process, and whether or not your electronics contain any personal information that should be removed before recycling them.

If this sounds like something right up your alley, here are five places you can reach out for computer electronics recycling:Public Recycling CentersMany recycling centers will accept almost any kind of electronic equipment as long as they can find someone to reuse or refurbish the item and make a profit from doing so. These places typically offer pick-up services for those who cannot drop off their own personal e-waste but charge fees depending on what you want to be recycled.Some recycling centers offer free pick-up services if your items are discarded in the appropriate manner (which typically means without any cords or batteries still attached). Others may charge a fee to come and take care of it for you but will do so with no questions asked about where, when, how, or who brought them there! Keep this fact in mind because some places will refuse certain types of electronic equipment depending on its condition which is why it’s always best to call ahead before heading out the door.

Private RecyclersIf you don’t find a public recycling center in your area, you can always check locally for a private recycler that’s willing to buy or take your computer electronics for recycling. These places tend to have different policies about what they will and won’t be interested in purchasing. Therefore, always call ahead before stopping by! In addition, most of them do require proof of purchase. Therefore, make sure you have receipts ready before visiting them.

Retail Store ProgramsSome of the biggest electronic retail stores such as Best Buy and Staples have programs in place to recycle old electronics. Here at Goodwill of Colorado, we offer our Dell Reconnect Program They typically accept almost anything with a cord or battery, including items like printers and cell phones. They also offer recycling services for car batteries, CFL light bulbs (energy-efficient fluorescent lights), rechargeable batteries, mobile devices like laptops and tablets.What makes these programs great is that they are free and relatively easy to use.If you bring your items into one of these stores, a representative will usually be on hand to help you with the process. They may ask for some information from the devices themselves such as make or model number which allows them to ensure they can recycle it properly. In addition, most retail store programs do not require any paperwork, identification cards, or proof of purchase in order to drop off an item. However, keep in mind that these types of programs typically have limits on what they accept so researching beforehand is always a good idea if there’s something specific you want to be recycled.

To find out what they will take in your area, you can contact the store nearest to you or visit their website. Many of these stores have dedicated staff members who are ready to answer all of your questions about recycling computer electronics. Just be sure to bring any old electronic gadgets that might contain sensitive information with you when dropping it off at one of their locations so that this information can be properly destroyed before being sent away for reuse or disposal.

Community Drop Off CentersThese centers are usually found in cities and towns across the country that either pay others to do it (such as Goodwill) or provide free space where people can take their own personal wires and broken equipment (like libraries). Either way, these places typically ask for volunteers who would like to help out with the process which is always great if you want something to do.

Thanks to a longstanding collaboration with their friends at Dell™,  Goodwill of Colorado has a safe, easy and environmentally responsible way to recycle residential computer equipment through the Dell Reconnect program!

Supporting this program is safe and easy. Simply take your unwanted computer and components—any brand, in any condition—to your local Goodwill of Colorado Donation Center. Your tax-deductible donation will help Coloradans achieve independence and help the environment! Fun Fact: Goodwill of Colorado has diverted more than 400 tons of e-waste from local landfills because of this program!

Even though these places don’t pay or reimburse you for your items, they are perfect if you want to recycle computer electronics without spending any money and time yourself. And since it usually does not require identification cards or proof of purchase, community drop-off centers make things easy for those looking for the best ways to recycle their e-waste.

Online RecyclersThere are countless places online that allow you to sell your computer electronics for cash without doing any of the work yourself. This is especially convenient if you know what items might be worth some money and want an easier way than trying to recycle them through other programs on your own. Just keep in mind that there will often be fees associated with each purchase which means it’s best if possible to try multiple sites before giving up on getting rid of something! Plus, just like recycling centers, some e-waste buyers ask questions about where, when, how, or who brought their equipment so always double-check first before handing over personal information.

Whether you choose one of these options or another like donating computer electronics directly to someone else, keep in mind that all computer electronics can be refurbished and reused by someone else at little to no cost to you if the right precautions are taken. So before throwing anything into an old desk drawer or just dumping it off at a landfill, take time out of your day to find the best ways for recycling computer electronics in order to save Mother Nature!

STS Electronic Recycling offers safe secure computer recycling and computer liquidation services to Colorado Springs, CO. Businesses, medical facilities, and schools in Colorado Springs, CO, now have a safe, EPA compliant option for recycling old, unwanted or non-working

computers, laptops, cell phones, pc"s and electronics. As industry and education become more reliant on the use of technology in everyday practice, the need for a reliable hardware disposal becomes ever more important.

STS Electronic Recycling specializes in IT Asset Disposition, or ITAD, for businesses and organizations within the Continental United States. You can think of ITAD as a combination of electronic recycling and IT liquidation. This service often includes auditing the devices we pick-up from your location, and generating an audit report of the devices so that a fair value on your IT Assets can be determined. AuditLive™, our check-in/check-out auditing and inventory system, makes the process painless, simple and secure.

Our team of ITAD experts will provide your business with a customized evaluation and plan of action, tailored to your specific IT Asset Disposition needs and requirements, at absolutely no cost to you. Speak with one of our friendly representatives about a FREE EVALUATION! Call us TODAY at 844.699.2913 or drop us a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

STS Electronic Recycling Inc. offers ABSOLUTELY FREE solutions to your business, school or individual computer, pc, laptop or electronics recycling needs.  If data security is an issue, we offer free data destruction meeting HIPAA and NIST standards. We are equiped to handle any size job, with more than 150,000 sq. feet of recycling facility no job is too large.  For more information about how STS can aid your school, business, organization or just to recycle your personal computer free of charge

STS Electronic Recycling is an Certified electronics recycling and computer asset liquidation company. Being a certified recycling company means we understand the full life cycle of I.T. assets from the time you receive your new equipment to the time

it achieves end of life status.  Picking the right time to liquidate or recycle computer related electronics is important in order to receive the highest value from the sales or liquidation process.Contact STS today at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

data can save you money and safeguard against improper data destruction and potential data theft. STS Electronic Recycling offers hard drive destruction tracking and an official certificate of data destruction for clients choosing to recycle their

Proper electronics recycling can be achieved with STS Electronic Recycling, Inc. It is important to use a reputable electronics recycler for disposal of out of date/obsolete computer and electronic equipment. Making the environement a priority in electronics

Take the rechargeable batteries to any of the participating retailers. In the U.S.: Alltel, Batteries Plus, Best Buy, Black & Decker, Cingular Wireless, The Home Depot, Milwaukee Electric Tool, Orchard Supply, Porter Cable Service Center, RadioShack, Remington Product Company, Sears, Staples, Target, US Cellular, Verizon Wireless, and Wal-Mart. And in Canada: Battery Plus, Bell Mobility, Canadian Tire, FIDO/Microcell, Future Shop, The Home Depot, Home Hardware, London Drugs, Makita Factory Service Centers, Personal Edge/Centre du Rasoir, RadioShack Canada, Revy, Sasktel, Sears, The Sony Store, Telus Mobility and Zellers.

Non-rechargeable (typically "alkaline batteries") still don"t have a recycler and general just must be disposed in the trash. If you have large quantities or are a business, talk with your permitted sanitary landfill operator (otherwise known as "sanitation services", the "dump" or "landfill"). Waste batteries should not be burned because of the metals, and they could explode. When burned, some heavy metals such as mercury may vaporize and escape into the air, and cadmium and lead may end up in the ash.

Contact your local or county health department, waste disposal operator, extension educator, recycling facility, call the EPA Hotline and ask for a copy of the publication: "Used Dry Cell Batteries" - phone (800) 424-9346. This publication does not address nonhousehold waste battery sources such as medical, business, etc.

Check with your local solid waste management district (listed under County Government in your phone book) for any outlets for household battery recycling. See if your local jeweler, pharmacy or battery retailer will accept button batteries for recycling. Ohio EPA keeps a list of battery recycling and disposal companies on file; however, these companies are usually set up to serve industrial or municipal customers with bulk amounts of batteries rather than individuals.

But what happened to your old workstation – the one with the tiny monitor and the central processing unit that kept crashing – the one loaded with lead, cadmium, and a host of other toxic materials? It could end up at a dump – or worse.

That is not a good thing, environmental groups say. Locally, disposition of obsolete equipment is little different from anywhere else in the nation. Some units are stored, some sold at auction to recyclers, and useable units are donated to qualified entities.

In a report entitled “Exporting Harm: The High-Tech Trashing of Asia,” a group including the California-based Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the Seattle-based Basel Action Network, said that the U.S. and other rich economies have decided to avoid the growing problem of electronics waste in the U.S. by exporting the crisis to the developing countries of Asia.

“The export of e-waste remains a dirty little secret of the high-tech revolution,” the report said. “Trade in e-waste is an export of real harm to the poor communities of Asia.”

A new Colorado law says color monitors are hazardous waste, and must be recycled or properly disposed of. Color monitors could cost as much as $40 per monitor to dispose of locally, officials said.

“The amount of lead in the cathode ray tube (monitor) is considerable,” said Cindy Smith, Colorado Environmental Protection Specialist said. Some monitors could have as much as four or five pounds. “Additionally, the monitors contain smaller amounts of other heavy metals, which are also hazardous waste.”

Authors of the Asia report hope it puts more pressure on U.S. companies and lawmakers to increase domestic recycling efforts. Investigators visited the waste sites in Guiyu, China, in December witnessed men, women and children pulling wires from computers and burning them at night, fouling the air with carcinogenic smoke.

The report said other laborers, making $1.50 a day and working with little or no protection, burned plastics and circuit boards or poured acid on electronic parts to extract silver and gold. Many pried open printer cartridges — whose hazards are uncertain — and smashed lead-laden cathode ray tubes from computer monitors, the report said.

“I’ve seen a lot of dirty operations in Third World countries, but what was shocking was seeing all this post-consumer waste,” said one of the report’s authors, Jim Puckett of the Basel Action Network. “This is all stuff from you and me.” The report says some in the industry estimate that as much as 50% to 80% of the United States’ electronic waste collected in the name of recycling actually leaves the country.

That often involves operations like the dump in Guiyu or similar ones in India and Pakistan, where labor is so cheap it is cost-effective to try to salvage every last screw or bit of silver.

To make electronics manufacturers accountable for their obsolete products, several organizations believe the cost of recycling a computer should be added to the initial sales price — much like a bottle deposit — to fund clean and efficient recycling programs.

Some reputable electronics recyclers and resellers are already taking steps to ensure that they do not transfer parts to someone who might in turn dump it overseas, said David Jones, a waste management official in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Southwest regional office.

In Connecticut, Sony, Panasonic and Sharp pay a recycler to process their products that consumers turn in at statewide collection events. Hewlett-Packard and IBM take back discarded computers for a fee. HP’s customers pay as much as $34 per computer. Minneapolis-based Best Buy held nearly a dozen recycling events last year in seven states to take back obsolete equipment, charging $10 for monitors and $15 for television sets. More are planned for this year.

El Paso County is establishing a program this year to donate the best of its obsolete computers to non-profit organizations. “We’ve got about 300 personal computers that we’ll be donating,” said El Paso County spokesperson Bill Miller. Much of it is highly usable, comprised of recent Pentium-based computers in the 300-megahertz range.

Colorado Springs officials send their equipment to the city’s property disposal operation, operated by the Utility Department. Some of it is donated, sometimes it is cannibalized for useable parts, and some of it is sent to recyclers.

Another option locally is to contact Jennifer Chiras at 575-4345. This year’s Better Environment Through Technology Recycling (BETTR) event takes place on Earth Day on April 20. Last year it took in 7,000 pieces of obsolete computer equipment for recycling.

A regularly updated list of recyclers is available from the state, said Smith. For a list of state-approved recyclers, call the Colorado Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division toll-free at 888-569-1831, ext. 3320.

FreeCycle.org: A network made up of 4,882 groups with 6,945,000 members across the globe. Membership is free; browse groups to find your local organization and learn how to post and donate.

Information to help you recycle your used CDs to keep them out of landfills. Send used CDs, jewel cases, and liner notes (all clearly marked as such in separate packaging) to:

Send in your cell phone (they pay shipping), they send you a check for its worth, or donate a slightly higher amount to the charity of your choice. For every phone they receive, they plant a tree.

They take your electronics—functioning or not—and dispose of them properly; they also give you a nominal cash reward based on the value of each item. They pay shipping costs.

Information about where you can recycle your rechargeable batteries (there are thousands of locations nationwide—Radio Shack, Rite Aid, Staples, etc). In some places, it’s actually a law that citizens dispose of their rechargeable batteries properly.

Takes: computers, televisions, and other electronic items- any brand, old or new, working or not at all of our donation centers and stores (Call for additional collection centers).

An organization that strives to enhance the lives of children with Cerebral Palsy, you can make donations can be made at the dropbox or by visiting the website to schedule a pickup.

Takes: CPU, monitor, computer peripherals. Pentium and above, Mac PowerPC and up, hard drives, CDrom, adaptive equipment, any parts, educational software, color VGA monitors and up

Takes: CPU, monitor, computer peripherals. Pentium and above, Mac PowerPC and up, hard drives, cdrom, adaptive equipment, any parts, educational software, color VGA monitors and up.

Takes: professional attire, new hosiery, conservative jewelry, padfolios/portfolios (for carrying resumes), new/gently used purses in conservative styles

Takes: prom-style dresses of all sizes (newer, updated styles preferred), jewelry/accessories, evening wraps, purses, hair accessories, formal shoes (new or very gently worn), unused makeup and hosiery in original packaging

Takes: used and vintage clothing; bric-a-brac/knick-knacks; living room, bedroom, office, and patio furniture; large and small appliances; jewelry; books; houshold items; collectibles; etc.

Takes: lamps containing mercury, fluorescent bulbs, HID, CRTs, computer monitors, TVs, household and rechargeable batteries, thermostats and thermometers, printers/copiers, keyboards, mouse, speakers, battery back-ups

Takes: fluorescent lamps, thermometers, mercury switches, computer monitors, CPUs, keyboards, mousse, microwaves, TVs, VCRs, and any other electronics containing circuit boards

Takes: computers, monitors, printers, scanners, telephones, telecommunications equipment, modems, servers, cables, cords, computer peripherals, radios, stereos, VCRs, DVD players, televisions, fluorescent lamps, all types of batteries, ballasts and mercury-containing devices

Takes: Furniture and household items, bedding and blankets, camera and video equipment, camping items, all childrens items, clothing, electronics, household, office and garden furniture, jewelry.

Takes: casual, office, dressy, and evening wear; shoes, bags, belts, sunglasses, jewelry. Items must be no more than 2 years old, in excellent condition; “better" department store and designer labels; in-season or anticipating next season.

After decades working in telecom, Bill Morris was searching for a new corporate job in 2008. To see him through, he worked as a program manager at a Colorado Springs day program for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. One day, as he watched four men at the center gut a pile of old computers with surgical precision, he had a lightbulb moment.

“Everyone’s got junk in their businesses and garages that needs to be recycled. And then we’ve got people sitting at home who really need an opportunity to go to work,” says Morris, whose late brother had intellectual disabilities but was unemployed through most of his life. “We’ve got wasted talent and wasted resources.”

It was the kind of insight that altruistic entrepreneurs dream about but rarely experience. People with autism have valuable but untapped skills; by harnessing them, Morris could help recycle the growing mountain of electronic waste, provide a sense of purpose to an entire community — and build a viable business, too.

Just as he was wondering where to obtain financing, Morris ran into a couple who had been leasing a building to a company whose owner had skipped town, leaving behind a mountain of old electronics and a van emblazoned with “Blue Star Electronics.” Impressed with his idea, the couple wrote him a healthy check and handed him the keys to the empty facility and vehicle, which he swiftly changed to read “Blue Star Recyclers.”

Blue Star Recyclers, a 501(c)(3) social enterprise, now employs 46 people with autism and other disabilities and recycles around 10,500 tons of electronic waste each year at five sites in Colorado and Illinois. So far, it has trained almost 20 other U.S. recyclers to employ people with disabilities and expanded into Chile and the U.K. Morris and his son, Sam, the company president, this week earned one of four grand prizes from the Small Business Impact Awards, presented by Mastercard and Bank of America. These awards recognize small businesses that have made a big impact in their communities across four categories: innovation, diversity and inclusion, sustainability and giving back. Blue Star won in the sustainability category.

The Blue Star program is particularly relevant in the U.S., a country that recycles less than a quarter of its electronic waste and employs fewer than one in five disabled individuals, Morris says.

Influenced by stereotypes about disabled people, companies often ignore this largely untapped pool of reliable, talented and efficient workers, he says. At the same time, people with autism often struggle with traditional interviews, because they find it hard to make eye contact and converse. Instead, Blue Star lets candidates sit right down and start dismantling electronics to see where their skills lie. Job activities that encourage independence can reduce autism symptoms and increase daily skills, according to research by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

Often highly engaged and productive, many people with autism enjoy the repetitive, detailed-oriented tasks involved in breaking up the many laptops, printers, cellphones and appliances that pour into Blue Star. They discover a sense of confidence, community and purpose at the organization, where disabled people can also work refurbishing computers, in logistics or in customer service, Morris says.

For instance, two of the four men who inspired the program no longer suffer from almost daily seizures, he says, and another one began talking for the first time after starting work. (Although his first utterance was a swear word, Morris recalls with a laugh.)

Non-reusable appliances containing CFCs must, by law, be removed by a licensed company prior to recycling or disposal. There will be a fee assessed with this service. Refer to a web search engine to obtain the name and number of a certified disposal vendor. If your appliance is in good condition, consider selling it to a used appliance store (see listings in the phone book under “Appliances – used”).

Offers on-demand labor, hauling, waste disposal, junk removal, rubbish pickup and recycling solutions for both residential and commercial customers. Specializes in the removal of appliances, garage items, old furniture, and renovation debris. Can assist with the removal of single items to multiple truckloads. Call for recycling fees and collection schedules.

Non-reusable appliances containing CFCs must, by law, be removed by a licensed company prior to recycling or disposal. There will be a fee assessed with this service. Refer to a web search engine obtain the name and number of a certified disposal vendor. If your appliance is in good condition, consider selling it to a used appliance store (see listings in the phone book under “Appliances – used”). See Household Items for donating working appliances.

Please remove Freon from appliances before recycling. Company is a full service scrap metal process/broker. Main emphasis is on shredding of autos and white goods. Please contact for more information.

Accepts cooktops, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, fridges and washers.  Must be in full working order, clean and less than 15 years old. Non-working and older appliances may be dropped off at the Denver, Aurora, Wheat Ridge or Littleton locations for recycling.

At O"Reilly Auto Parts we are doing our share to protect the environment. Every year we collect millions of gallons of used motor oil and millions of old automotive batteries for recycling - free of charge! Help us help the environment by dropping off your used motor oil and automotive batteries at one of our stores. Contact your local O"Reilly Auto Parts store for details. (Some restrictions apply.)

Bicycles for Humanity Colorado (B4H) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Colorado that uses donated bicycles to address a fundamental barrier to development- mobility. Bicycles delivered through community based bike shops provide sustainable mobility solutions for rural Africans.

CHaRM is subsidized by three partners including the City of Boulder, Eco-Cycle and dedicated recyclers such as you. There will be a small fee for every vehicle using this facility. If you bike in your materials, you will not be charged a facility fee (fees still apply to electronic, bike tire and porcelain materials). Please contact for details.

Recycle Bicycles gladly accepts donations of bicycles and related equipment, as well as monetary donations to cover expenses. 100% of donations to Recycle Bicycles go to operations. Bikes and related equipment may be dropped off at any of the following locations. New locations are: Campus Cycles - South Washington Street Denver, Bicycle Village Aurora, Bicycle Village Littleton, Bicycle Village - Westminster and Bicycle Village Boulder.

For usable books, search on your web browser for local area used book stores that will take books of value. Public libraries often take books for donation.

Accepts books for recycling, including computer manuals and similar softbound books. EcoCycle removes the binders and covers and then recycles the pages. Call for details.

Recycles computers, monitors, telephones, VCR’s, fax machines, cell phones, copiers, and small electronics. Provides secure document shredding and cardboard recycling. DataSafe of Colorado is a division of North Metro Community Services a non-profit serving people with developmental disabilities.

Accepts Brick, Stone, Cinderblock, Lawn-care Tools, Slate, and Cultured Stone. Bricks, Stone and Cinderblock must be palletized for pick up.  Must be clean of mortar.

Generally, mail service centers accept Styrofoam “peanuts” and bubble wrap for reuse. To locate a “peanut” recycler close to you, call the Plastic Loose-Fill Peanuts hotline at 1-800-828-2214. There are no recycling options for Styrofoam used as food packaging.

Recycles computers, monitors, telephones, VCR’s, fax machines, cell phones, copiers, and small electronics. Provides secure document shredding and cardboard recycling. DataSafe of Colorado is a division of North Metro Community Services a non-profit serving people with developmental disabilities.

Recycles computers, monitors, telephones, VCR’s, fax machines, cell phones, copiers, and small electronics. Provides secure document shredding and cardboard recycling. DataSafe of Colorado is a division of North Metro Community Services a non-profit serving people with developmental disabilities.

Cell phones will be turned in and any funds derived from them will be used to buy new, basic cell phones for the elderly and victims of crime in need.

Bud’s Warehouse is a nonprofit organization that accepts usable and working building and renovation materials. It is not a disposal facility. REUSABLE MATERIALS ONLY! Call for details.

Accepts household items including clothing, bedding, tablecloths and other textiles. Good quality items are resold in thrift stores while worn-out fabrics are sorted for further processing into rags and fill materials. No large furniture and appliances at drop-off center (call store directly). No mattresses, box springs, or lawnmowers.

There is usually a fee to recycle old computers. Computers contain 3-8 pounds of lead and a myriad of other toxic materials, which can contaminate the environment when landfilled or incinerated.

Recycles computers, monitors, telephones, VCR’s, fax machines, cell phones, copiers and small electronics. Provides secure document shredding and cardboard recycling. DataSafe of Colorado is a division of North Metro Community Services a non-profit serving people with developmental disabilities.

The above Dell website gives you the ability to sell or trade-in your old computer. The website also allows owners of 486’s or higher to donate to the National Cristina Foundation.

Recycles computers, monitors, telephones, VCR’s, fax machines, cell phones, copiers, and small electronics. Provides secure document shredding and cardboard recycling. DataSafe of Colorado is a division of North Metro Community Services a non-profit serving people with developmental disabilities.

Bud’s Warehouse is a nonprofit organization that accepts usable and working building and renovation materials. It is not a disposal facility. REUSABLE MATERIALS ONLY! Call for details.

Accepts and provides pick-up services for all types of scrap metals from demolition projects and construction sites. Call for on- site evaluation and pricing quotes.

Recycles most any electronics with a plug. Also important, BlueStar employs an autistic work force, which helps the Colorado intellectually disabled community find freedom and purpose. Some fees apply.

Recycles computers, monitors, telephones, VCR’s, fax machines, cell phones, copiers, and small electronics. Provides secure document shredding and cardboard recycling. DataSafe of Colorado is a division of North Metro Community Services a non-profit serving people with developmental disabilities.

The City of Westminster prefers that unused drugs not be flushed down the toilet. Doing so introduces these drugs to the environment. Even though the amount from a single pill is small, the accumulation of these small amounts and the yet-unknown effects on aquatic life and the water environment concern us.

The preferred option: Take advantage of community pharmaceutical take-back programs that allow you to bring unused drugs to central locations for proper disposal. Different pharmacies offer different programs. Some will take back drugs they sold, some take back all drugs, some take back none and others offer solutions somewhere in between. Contact your local pharmacy. King Soopers pharmacy now offers a mail back program for medications for $2.99.

Second option: Remove the prescription drug or medication from the original container and mix it with an undesirable substance such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. Put that mixture in a nondescript container that won’t leak such as an empty can or a sealable bag. This ensures the drugs aren’t diverted for non-medical use or accidentally ingested by children or pets. Dispose of these containers in the trash.

Accepts chain link, welded wire, construction fencing, chicken wire and most other types that are five feet or longer and rolled together neatly. Wood fence sections must be in good condition with no missing pieces and in sections 4 feet or longer. Pieces of fencing, split rails, posts, pickets, etc. are accepted if they are de-nailed and in a reusable condition as is. If a section of fence is broken, you can take it apart and we will accept the separate pickets and rails if they are reusable and de-nailed.

Clean, unpainted and untreated dimensional lumber, pallets and other cut-offs left over from construction or demolition projects are accepted. Pressure-treated lumber, wafer board, plywood and other composite lumber held together by glue cannot be recycled and are NOT accepted.

Sponsored by the Optimist Clubs in Colorado. The CDHH collects old hearings aids and cooperates with the Starkey, a hearing aids manufacture and distributor of hearing aids to refurbish the hearing aids. Also, Starkey donates new hearing aids.

One of the most effective ways Lions helps people with hearing loss is through their hearing aid recycling program. Lions recycles thousands of hearing aids a year that enhance the lives of adults and children worldwide.

Sponsored by the Optimists Club. Helps clubs that heighten public awareness of the problems associated with hearing loss. Some Optimists Clubs accept donations and they work with various companies and organizations to help those in need of hearing aids. Donated hearing aids are repaired or recycled and given to those in need.

There are many charities in the Westminster area that will pick-up donations from your home. Check with your favorite charity or search "charities near me" in your web browser. In addition, SustainAbility in Arvada takes several household items and partners with local companies for reuse of those items (see below).

Accepts household items including clothing, bedding, tablecloths and other textiles. Good quality items are resold in thrift stores, while worn-out fabrics are sorted for further processing into rags and fill materials. No large furniture and appliances at drop-off center (call store directly). No mattresses, box springs or lawnmowers.

oil filters can be drained of most of their residual oil by punching a hole in the solid end of the filter and letting it drain for 24 hours. some auto shops that accept oil will also accept filters. (see motor oil)

please remove freon from appliances before recycling. company is a full service scrap metal process/broker. main emphasis is on shredding of autos and white goods. please contact for more information.

accepts and provides pick-up services for all types of scrap metals from demolition projects and construction sites. call for on-site evaluation and pricing quotes.

we can handle the safe disposal of all your used sharps. we will provide you with the sharps container, and when it is full, we will replace it with an empty container. this saves you the hassle of taking it to a disposal site, and protects your sanitary workers from exposure to potentially hazardous materials.

sharps mail-back disposal service is ideal for people who use needles at home to treat diabetes, arthritis, cancer or other medical conditions. it"s an environmentally-responsible way to dispose of home-generated sharps waste and keep you and your community safe.

donate your worn-out crocs shoes at participating locations. they are then ground and made into shoes to be distributed by approved nonprofit organizations around the world.

smoke detectors can be one of two kinds: photoelectric or ionizing. the ionizing variety contains a small amount of radioactive material, americium-241. although more expensive, homeowners should consider purchasing the photoelectric variety to avoid future disposal problems. smoke detectors with an ionizing sensor will usually indicate on the back of the unit that it should not be disposed of in the regular trash. in this case, the unit should be returned to the manufacturer (which should also be listed) for proper long-term disposal. if the manufacturer is no longer in business or is not willing to accept the used detector, household smoke detectors may be disposed of in the trash. to prevent the smoke detector from accidentally being broken, wrap the unit in several layers of newspaper and carefully place in the trash. the battery should be removed from the unit prior to disposal. these procedures are intended for smoke detectors from a household only. source: colorado department of public health and environment.

generally, mail service centers accept styrofoam “peanuts” and bubble wrap for reuse. to locate a “peanut” recycler close to you, call the plastic loose-fill peanuts hotline at 1-800-828-2214. there are no recycling options for styrofoam used as food packaging.

televisions contain lead and a myriad of other toxic materials, which can contaminate the environment when land filled or incinerated. many thrift stores accept televisions in good working condition. see household items for thrift store information.

bud’s warehouse is a nonprofit organization that accepts usable and working building and renovation materials. it is not a disposal facility. bathtubs not accepted. reusable materials only! call for details.

pays cash for used inkjet, laser, fax and copier cartridges, used cell phones, laptops and pdas. if you would like to donate any of the above items to a local school or nonprofit organization, cfk will either pick up the items or provide you with pre-paid shipping labels.

please remove freon from appliances before recycling. company is a full service scrap metal process/broker. main emphasis is on shredding of autos and white goods. please contact for more information.

refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves/ranges, freezers, air conditioners, water heaters, dishwashers and microwaves. recycling services provided by appliance recycling centers of america.

please remove freon from appliances before recycling. company is a full service scrap metal process/broker. main emphasis is on shredding of autos and white goods. please contact for more information.

accepts and provides pick-up services for all types of scrap metals from demolition projects and construction sites. call for on-site evaluation and pricing quotes.

​The Environmental Services Team provides curbside trash and recycling collection services to over 31,000 homes in the City, as well as a number of other collection services for our citizens. The collection service program is operated as an enterprise fund, meaning that all costs associated with providing the various services are covered by user fees.

Thornton residents can use this service to get rid of clutter in the garage or basement, plan a do-it-yourself room remodel, clean up the yard or storage shed, get rid of recently replaced furniture or appliances, or for a rental property cleanup! This service is available by appointment only.

The minimum fee is just $65 per collection for up to 6 cubic yards of stuff, which would approximately fill two standard pickup truck beds. The cost of service is placed on the next utility bill for payment.

City of Thornton trash & recycling customers can use the online system for some of the most common service requests!Order an additional black trash container

The Infrastructure Maintenance Center (IMC) is located at 12450 Washington Street.  Thornton residentsonly(no commercial or landscaping companies) may bring or drop-off the following on weekdays during business hours:Motor oil, antifreeze, and cooking oil - in sealed gallon (or smaller) containers

Compost material such as grass clippings, leaves, flowers, coffee grounds, food scraps in fully compostable BPI certified bags or paper bags.  Be prepared to open all other bags on site.

Please call 720-977-6200 ahead of your arrival for instructions or head to the north gate entrance with access from 126th Avenue, east of Washington Street.  Once at the gate, press the button for access into the yard and let the operator know you are there to drop off compost.

The current fee for Thornton’s Solid Waste Collection Program is $13.50 per month, and will appear on your water bill.The $13.50 per month charge includes a weekly collection of solid waste and every-other-week collection of recycling materials. This service is limited to ONE black container for solid waste. There is an additional charge for each additional black container with a maximum of four containers. However, green containers filled with trash will not be emptied.One black container - $13.50

Solid waste collection dates are address specific. If you are unsure of your trash/recycle collection day, please click the Trash & Recycling Calendar tab on the left hand side of this page.