colorado springs dispose of lcd monitors free sample

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

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.

The El Paso County Environmental Division, Household Hazardous Waste Facility is located at 3255 Akers Dr. Colorado Springs, 80922 (map at bottom of page). Items accepted are listed below.

Make the appointment using the links below or call719-520-7878/7879 for assistance.El Paso/Teller County households only.Proof of residency is required at drop-off (photo ID, lease, etc.)

To ensure safety of staff and protect the personal property of customers, staff will not enter your vehicle. All individuals bringing household hazardous waste will be required to remove each item from their vehicle and place them onto a cart provided by staff. Please ensure that someone in the vehicle is able to accomplish this.

Paint, Stains, Solvents, Etc. Latex, Oil-Based, Aerosol, and Hobby Paints; Lacquers, Solvents, Stains, Strippers, Thinners, Varnishes, etc. Limited to a total of 50 gallons.

Electronics: TVs (20” or smaller CRTs, 40” or smaller flatscreens [see Clean Sweep page for larger sizes]), Central Processing Units (CPUs), Computer Monitors, Keyboards, Mice, Printers, Fax Machines, Laptops, Notebooks, Ultra-Books, Net Books, Electronic Tablets, DVD Players, VCRs, Radios, Stereo Components (no speakers), Video Game Consoles and Video Display Devices with viewing screens greater than 4 inches. (Cables/cords/wires will only be accepted if they are permanently attached to the device).

NOTE: If you have paint totaling more than 50 gallons and/or a large load of hazardous waste items, pre-approval is required. Please call 719-520-7879 or email to schedule the appointment and for further questions.

For all non-El Paso/Teller County residents, please visit the Colorado Department of Health & Environment’s list oto find the site nearest you. You may also review the most current

TERMS & CONDITIONSHOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE LIABILITY RELEASE & CERTIFICATION STATEMENT:I hereby declare and affirm of my own personal knowledge that the items delivered to the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility was, in fact, generated through household use and is not business or commercial subject to federal or state waste regulations. I understand that should I surrender any data-containing device to the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility for recycling it is solely my responsibility to protect my personal information. I further agree to defend, indemnify, and hold El Paso County harmless from and against any and all liabilities, demands, claims, damages, suits, judgments and decrees, and court awards including costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees, on account of injuries to or death of any person or persons or damage to any property or personal information arising out of or related to my willful misconduct or negligent acts, errors or omissions for the duration of my participation. I understand that the items will be accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility in reliance on the accuracy and truth of my foregoing declaration/affirmation.

Motor oil is limited to 10 gallons per household per month and must come in a container that can be left at the site. The container must be no larger than 5 gallons and must be clean and free of debris.

Waste electronics contain heavy metals like lead and other harmful material that cancontaminate soil and groundwater if not managed and disposed of properly.

The Small Business Impact Awards presented by Mastercard and Bank of America recognize small businesses across the U.S. that have made a significant impact in their communities across four categories: innovation, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and giving back.

Blue Star Recyclers, a 501c3 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.

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.

Tired of having unwanted phones, tech and electronics taking up space in your home? Before dumping them in the garbage and throwing away precious resources, consider joining Samsung and uBreakiFix in Colorado Springs, CO in our free tech recycling campaign!

This law, which was passed last year by the Colorado General Assembly, was designed to help save the environment and generate new jobs. It’s expected to create an infrastructure for the disposal of electronic waste.

It’s illegal to throw away your discarded electronics in Colorado; there are many electronic-waste recycling facilities and programs operating throughout the state—from thrift stores to retailers, many places will accept these devices for free.

“There are a lot of retailers that are offering recycling now,” said Wolfgang Kray, an environmental-protection specialist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, “A bunch of places that sell electronics are already offering recycling for free.” Kray says that “Most electronics that are being recycled are smelted down and being made into components [for] new electronics.”

For example, Best Buy and Staples will recycle your electronics for free.  Private businesses like Metech Recycling charge a fee for the service. Metech’s Senior Vice President of Compliance, Quality, and Sustainability, Mary Jo Lockbaum, says, “The amount of labor involved in getting materials out of electronics is quite significant.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, electronics contain hazardous materials that could be harmful to our health and to the environment when they aren’t properly disposed of. Handling e-waste in a responsible and ethical way can be extremely expensive.

Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment can answer all of your questions regarding what types of electronics can, and cannot be recycled.  Those who need to dispose of their e-waste can find local recyclers at: http://www.greenergadgets.org/

Waste Connections provides non-hazardous solid waste collection, recycling and landfill disposal services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. In 2016, we merged with Waste Connections (TSX/NYSE) becoming the third largest solid waste management company in North America with a network of operations in 41 states and 6 provinces.

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.

Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau & Office of Economic Development thanks Infinite Disposal for being our event disposal services sponsor for 2022!!!

A family member heard there were trash pickup issues in Colorado Springs. With over 27+years in the waste and recycling industry in the foothills operating Teller County Waste, Chaffee County Waste and Mr. Pots, Infinite Disposal was born in 2020 and started operations in January of 2021, a family owned and operated business. We pride ourselves on SPEED, SERVICE AND RESPONSIBILITY.

As a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSW), the Front Range Landfill is authorized to only accept certain types of materials and all incoming loads are subject to random inspection. If you have a question about any type of waste, please contact us in advance of bringing the material to landfill. Call 303-673-9431 or email us.

For safety and environmental reasons, it is critical to cover or tarp and secure all loads in such a manner that no debris can fly out or become airborne in anyway. Please respect the safety of everyone who lives in the areas in route as well as fellow drivers and passengers who may follow you to the landfill. Per state regulations, all uncovered or unsecured loads will be charged double.

Waste Connections of Colorado Springs is an experienced, courteous, energy-conscious and environmentally minded El Paso County, Colorado trash and recycling company.

Whether you need residential garbage removal in Cimarron Hills, commercial dumpsters in Falcon, business garbage collection in Colorado Springs, want to participate in our Southeastern Colorado Recycling Perks rewards program, or if you need construction waste removal in Fountain, you need only remember one name: Waste Connections of Colorado Springs.

Waste Connections of Colorado Springs works to be the premier waste management company of the Pikes Peak region by continuously working to provide courteous, professional Southeast Colorado trash and recycling programs to the communities we serve.

The impassive scale reveals just how big is the challenge ahead: 64 pounds, to be precise, of obsolete plastic, metal and microchips that must be taken apart and reused responsibly.

McNeal glances around the warehouse on Decatur Street in Denver’s Sun Valley, neat but crammed with the detritus of home entertainment culture: Computer monitors. Barrels of batteries pulled from kids’ toys. Keyboards that used to anchor garage bands and now just anchor garages.

The unwieldy Toshiba flat screen and the rest of the day’s haul came at the beckon of a new home electronics recycling service called Retrievr. Citing a major gap in U.S. recycling that leaves millions of pounds of outdated, potentially valuable materials wasted instead of reused every year, Retrievr makes appointment house calls to Denver homes to snag old computers, cords and consoles off the porch.

While Retrievr launches its Denver pilot in house calls for consumer electronics recycling, other Colorado cities do have some options. They usually involve the consumer making the haul, though, and dropping things off at a central location, and usually for a fee. Here are a few:

For now, the service is free because it is subsidized by major technology firms ranging from Apple to Dell to Google, which are under pressure to help increase recycling of electronics in ways that don’t leave toxic metals and plastics on garbage barges headed to less-developed countries. For at least the next few weeks, Retrievr will waive its usual $20 home pickup fee for everything except big TVs and large computer monitors.

TV pickups were initially free at Retrievr’s spring Denver launch as well, and wildly popular. The startup collected more than 100,000 pounds of electronics in the first few weeks. Now, pickups for big TVs start at about $30, and volume has decreased, though recyclers are convinced there are plenty more customers looking to clean out family rooms and basements. Retrievr contracts in Denver with McNeal’s employer, Blue Star Recyclers, for the pickups and sorting.

Only about 17% of 53.6 million metric tons of consumer electronics are responsibly recycled and documented each year, according to a recent international report, leaving 44.3 million tons unaccounted for. The brands backing Retrievr have identified barriers to recycling including: no at-home pickup by municipal recyclers; no knowledge of one-time dropoff programs; desire for complex technology to be reused by someone rather than thrown away; and worries that private data are left on storage devices and will be abused.

The Retrievr website and other materials offer information on how to wipe data. If consumers can’t do it themselves, Retrievr certifies that its recycling handlers use standard wiping protocols.

Retrievr, also experimenting with a pilot in Philadelphia, is trying all forms of media to get word out, from TikTok to tables at farmer’s markets to listings in city recycling directories.

Final processing of recyclable materials is not done in Denver, but items are sent to others who take out the metals and other useful or toxic parts in a “certified chain of custody through the end-life of the material.”

The new service joins Colorado and local governments that are already on a forceful recycling push. Denver wants to boost the percentage of material residents keep out of the waste stream from 15% closer to the national average of 34%, with the city council likely to vote this month on a plan that would, for the first time, charge for the volume of garbage while expanding recycling frequency and free composting.

Colorado legislators passed a bill setting up a statewide “producer responsibility” program, where makers of consumer packaging will pay fees into a pool that will help cities and counties expand their recycling programs and create local markets for recyclable materials.

All the new programs are examples of how consumers want “that link between residents and responsible processors. People are so relieved to get these things out of their house and have something to do with it,” Stokes said.

The Oregon E-Cycles law makes it is illegal to throw away televisions, computers (including laptops and tablets), monitors, printers, keyboards, and mice.  For an extensive list of free locations to recycle these items visit https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ecycles/Pages/default.aspx.

Customers with more than 7 of these items may contact an electronics recycler such as Garten Services (503-581-4472).  Garten Services erases the information on the hard drives to the Department of Defense"s standards and will reuse them if possible. For a fee, they can provide a document of destruction. Call 503-581-4472 for more information.  For information on how to avoid data theft and instructions on how to obliterate your hard drive, visit the Department of Environmental Quality"s website: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ecycles/Pages/default.aspx

Electronics are accepted for free at Marion County facilities, however under the Oregon E-Cycles Program, the Salem-Keizer & North Marion Recycling & Transfer stations only accept up to seven laptops, monitors, CPUs or televisions per customer per day for free drop-off.

Q: I’ve been meaning to send this to you since I read the letter on what to do with old computers. There are two (that I know of) nonprofits that take old computers, clean them and repurpose them for people who do not have them.

The second is PC’s for People. I know both of them use workers with developmental disabilities to help disassemble the computers. I thought this might be better than just recycling in the typical way. — Denise Gilwa

In Colorado, it’s been illegal since 2013 to dump computers in the trash because they end up in landfills. That includes computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, DVD players, VCRs and devices with a display.

Fines are up to $10,000 a day. As of last week, no penalties had been assessed related to the residential e-waste ban, says Wolfgang Kray, the environmental protection specialist for the state’s Department of Public Health & Environment.

The city of Denver, for example, offers a coupon to residents for a discount from Metech Recycling. Instead of $20, a computer monitor will cost $5 to recycle. Get the coupon at dpo.st/denverewaste and drop off electronics at Metech’s facility, 500 W. 53rd Place in Denver.

To make it easier on readers who want to do right by Mother Earth, I’ve compiled an incomplete list of places to take your e-waste junk. Some might charge a fee, while others take it for free in hopes you’ll buy something else.

• Denver Tech For All accepts computers and laptops in any condition for no charge. The organization scrubs the hard drive of personal data and then refurbishes the PCs or recycles the parts. PCs are donated to children who need one. Details are at denvertechforall.org. To make a drop-off appointment, call Rose Keating at 303-989-2832.

• Sustainability in Arvada and Denver recycles “anything with a cord or battery!” The organization will accept some e-waste at no charge (computer towers, laptops, cellphones, iPods, ink cartridges and loose cables or wires) and charges $0.15 a pound for many other items. All details are on its website at sustainability-recycling.com. Drop-off locations are at 1270 S. Bannock St. in Denver and 6240 W. 54th Ave. in Arvada.

• BlueStar Recyclers accepts almost all e-waste but charges a fee for some items. Fees are used to pay employees, many of whom have a disability or are on the autism spectrum. Electronics are refurbished or used for parts. BlueStar provides no-cost or low-cost PCs to low-income families via its PCs for People store in Denver, at 953 Decatur St., Suite C. The Denver facility also accepts unwanted electronics. A second location in Colorado Springs is at 100 Talamine Court. And BlueStar now picks up old TVs at customers’ homes. Call 303-534-1667 for a quote and to schedule pickup.

• Goodwill Good Electronics accepts PCs and most electronics — but not TVs. The organization wipes computers of data to U.S. Department of Defense standards. The goal is to recycle or refurbish PCs and sell them at its thrift stores

• Staples stores accept a variety of e-waste for free — with a limit of seven items per customer per day. But the store won’t take everything, including batteries and televisions. A complete list is at staples.com/recycling. It also has a trade-in program that will pay customers in Staples eCash cards for electronics it deems acceptable. And it pays $2 in “Staples Rewards” for each ink or toner cartridge.

• Best Buy accepts a variety of e-waste, including rechargeable batteries and appliances. Some fees apply, like a $25 charge for TVs. Details at bestbuy.com/ recycle.

• Office Depot and OfficeMax offers three sizes of cardboard boxes for $5, $10 or $15. Cram as much old electronics in them as you can and bring the unsealed box to the store. Details at dpo.st/officedepotewaste.

• R2 Stewardship has recycling centers at 5971 Broadway in Denver and 5809 S. Broadway St. in Littleton. It also offers pickup service for a fee, and it will fix your computer. Prices vary. Details at r2stewardship.com.

• Scrub all personal details from the device you plan to recycle. Some recyclers do this for free or for a fee. Users can physically destroy the hard drive or use software like Darik’s Boot and Nuke at dban.org. A CNET guide for deleting data on mobile phones is at dpo.st/deletemobiledata

Aerosol cans are pressurized canisters that house everything from cleaning supplies and air fresheners to hygiene products and paints. The contents of the can determine whether it is recyclable or a hazardous material. If the can contains paints or toxic materials, the can itself (including its contents) needs to be disposed of at a household hazardous waste collection event or facility. Check the schedule for an event near you.

Air conditioners are appliances that may contain ozone depleting substances, including refrigerants and/or insulating foams that can be released if disposed of improperly. Older air conditioners may contain a harmful refrigerant called Freon. Air conditioners may also contain other toxic chemicals, such as mercury.

It is important to find an appliance recycling program or technician to remove the refrigerant. Do not attempt to remove refrigerant or compressors yourself. Improperly handled refrigerant may result in physical harm. Contact your local municipal recycling coordinator to learn how to properly dispose of your air conditioner. Some utility companies offer rebate programs when you upgrade to a more energy efficient air cooling system. Contact your local utility company to see if they will accept your old air conditioner for proper disposal.

Do not put ammunition in the trash! People who want to dispose of old or excess ammunition should call their local police/public safety department or state police to surrender the ammunition. It will either be used by the department or disposed of properly.

Antifreeze can pollute groundwater, surface water and drinking water supplies if dumped, spilled or leaked, and is harmful to pets, marine and aquatic life. Many cities and towns collect used antifreeze at their local transfer station. Call your local recycling coordinator or Department of Public Works to see if they will accept your used antifreeze. If not, you may be able to bring your used antifreeze to a household hazardous waste collection event or facility. Check the schedule for an event near you. DEEP also has special guidance on the management of used antifreeze for Auto Centers and Marinas.

Many of the appliances we use every day contain man-made chemicals that destroy the ozone layer -- our planets natural protection against the sun"s harmful ultra-violet radiation. Refrigerators, window and car air conditioners, and dehumidifiers rely on refrigerants that contain ozone-depleting chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), under various trade names that contain the word "Freon."

Ask your local home appliance retailers about their refrigerator and home appliance collection programs or about the availability of refrigerant-recovery services. Sometimes, the store from which you buy a new large appliance will take back the old one.

EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal Program provides additional information about proper disposal of appliances and a list of partnering utilities, retail stores and manufacturers that collect used refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioning units and dehumidifiers for proper recovery and disposal.

Asbestos-containing materials ("ACM") in good condition should be left alone. There is no danger unless fibers are released and inhaled into the lungs. Check material regularly if you suspect it may contain asbestos. Don"t touch it, but look for signs of wear or damage such as tears, abrasions or water damage. If the material is damaged or becomes damaged, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends that a licensed asbestos contractor be contacted to abate the material. Abatement activities may involve repair, enclosure, encapsulation or removal of the material.

Connecticut law does not allow any person to discard more than 1 cubic foot of ACM in the trash at any one time. Contact a hauler to transport the ACM to an approved disposal site. Currently, the only facility accepting ACM in Connecticut is the RED Technologies, LLC facility in Portland, CT.

For further details on asbestos including general information and lists of licensed asbestos consultants and abatement contractors, see the DPH"s Asbestos Program Website. See also DEEP"s webpage on Construction & Demolition -- Health & Safety Requirements You Should Know About.

Wood ash and ash from the fireplace (assuming you didn"t burn treated or painted wood) can be used in your compost pile (very small amount), used in the winter to help gain traction against ice and snow, as an insect repellant (sprinkle small amounts around the perimeter of your garden to deter slugs and snails), spot remover on wood furniture (make a paste with water, rub over rings left by water glasses, follow up with furniture polish) or applied to your soil if you need to raise the pH. Treated or painted/stained wood should not be burned, as it emits toxins into the air and results in contaminated ash.

Spreading the ashes over your lawn and garden may or may not be the best means of disposal. Wood ash is somewhat beneficial to the soil because it contains essential plant nutrients. Depending on the type of wood, the ash may contain five to eight percent potash, one percent phosphate and trace amounts of micro-nutrients such as iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc. See the University of Connecticut webpage on the use of wood ash in gardens.

If you heat your home with coal, you are creating coal ash. Coal ash should not be used on any plant crop that you plan to eat. Do not place coal ash in your compost or your vegetable garden. This ash should be put in a bag and disposed of with your trash. Be aware that coals from ash can be "live" and continue to burn for as long as 4-6 weeks after they have been removed from the stove.

Ash from charcoal grills, where you have used charcoal briquettes with or without lighter fluid should not be used in your compost or garden. This ash should be put in a bag and disposed of with your trash.

Any number of junk yards and salvage companies will take your old vehicles for recycling or parts. But why not consider donating your vehicle to charity? You will be helping a cause and also receiving a tax deduction for your gift. There are hundreds of charities that participate in vehicle donation programs, and many take not only cars, but also trucks, boats, RV"s, motorcycles, etc. If you have a favorite charity, try calling them directly first to see if they are interested in your vehicle. Many of them work with companies that will tow your donated vehicle for free. If you want to search for charities, both in CT and beyond, visit some of the organizations that manage these donation programs on behalf of the charities. These include, but are not limited to:

Another resource is Infoline 2-1-1, an integrated system of help via the telephone accessed toll-free from anywhere in Connecticut by simply dialing 2-1-1. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and does have information about vehicle donation.

There are many different types of batteries, and the environmental concerns and disposal options may vary for each. Please read through the following sections carefully to determine the type of battery you have and how to properly dispose of it. In addition, Call2Recycle offers 10 easy habits that will extend the life of your phone or tablet batteries. For more information, see the DEEP"s Household Batteries and Rechargeable Batteries web pages.

Lead-acid batteries may not be disposed of in the trash, buried, or thrown in wetlands or waterways. These batteries contain a corrosive and toxic electrolyte that is very harmful to the environment. Connecticut law requires consumers to return their lead-acid auto batteries for recycling, and requires retailers of these batteries to accept a used battery for each battery they sell. Retail stores that sell batteries are required to accept up to three batteries from a customer that is not purchasing a new battery. In addition, some towns accept lead-acid auto batteries at their local transfer station. To find out if this service is available in your area, call your local recycling coordinator

Rechargeable batteries (learn more) are commonly found in cordless phones, power tools, portable electronics and cell phones. They include nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, small sealed lead-acid and lithium ion batteries. All rechargeable batteries can be recycled at participating retail collection points including most Radio Shack and Wal-Mart Stores. For information on where to recycle nickel cadmium batteries in your area, call 1-877-2-RECYCLE or online at Call2Recycle to find a local drop-off site.

If you have non-rechargeable AAA, AA, C or D batteries, then they are most likely alkaline and zinc carbon batteries (learn more). These batteries are not hazardous and can be disposed in the regular trash. However, if recycling is available, please recycle them. Most community household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events will not accept alkaline and zinc carbon batteries. To find out if your local recycling or HHW program accepts them, call your local recycling coordinator, or check the DEEP"s HHW web page for the schedule. Also, INMETCO, a metals reclamation facility in Pennsylvania, recycles alkaline and zinc carbon batteries. Call 724-758-2800 for more information.

There are lithium batteries that are button-size, as well as those that look like regular household batteries. The latter type will say "lithium" on the battery. Button lithium batteries are commonly found in cameras and other portable electronic devices, such as PDA"s, watches, thermometers, calculators and in remote car locks. Any type of lithium battery should not be put in the trash. Please bring lithium batteries to a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection. To find out about HHW services in your area, call your local recycling coordinator, or check the DEEP"s HHW web page for the schedule.

Commonly used in hearing aids, the best management option is to bring such batteries to a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection. To find out about HHW services in your area, call your local recycling coordinator, or check the DEEP"s HHW web page for the schedule. There is currently limited recycling of zinc-air batteries available. INMETCO, a metals reclamation facility in Pennsylvania may recycle them. Call 724-758-2800 for more information.

Boat shrink wrap is made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which can be recycled and used in the manufacture of new products such as plastic bags, composite lumber (decking, railings, docks, benches, etc.), lawn edging, and plastic banners among others.

Reusable boat covers are the environmentally preferred choice to disposable covers. However, you may be able to recycle boat shrink wrap through your marina, boat yard or yacht club. Check with your boating facility to see if they are participating in a recycling program. The Clean Marina Guidebook offers best management practices for boat shrink wrap.

Reuse is environmentally preferable to recycling. Offer books to your local library, senior center, school libraries, friends, thrift stores, swap shops, and charities. Discover Books collects unwanted books, and either resells them or redistributes them to literacy programs (the rest are recycled). Textbooks can be a challenge to reuse because they get outdated. However, check out organizations such as The International Book Project, Books for Africa, First Book, Bridge to Asia, and Better World Books. You can also contact your local recycling coordinator to see if your town collects books through their recycling program.

State law requires all towns in Connecticut to provide for the recycling of glass and metal food and beverage containers, and plastic containers with resin codes #1 and #2. Each Connecticut town has a recycling ordinance in place to address proper handling of these and other recyclables. Check with yourtown or cityhall for the proper handling of bottles and cans. At a minimum, containers should be rinsed before being placed in the appropriate recycling receptacle. 5-cent deposit cans and bottles covered under theCT Bottle Billmay be returned to the store forredemption, or consider donating nickel-deposit containers to local civic organization fund-raisers.

Most car seats expire after 6 years from the date of manufacture. In addition the older seats not having the latest in safety standards, materials wear down over time, including the rigid plastic frame, which become less safe to use. Seats are labeled with a date of manufacture and expiration date. If you cannot find it, call the manufacturer and ask them. If you have an expired car seat, the fabric cover & padding can usually be separated from the plastic frame for washing, so both the textile and rigid plastic parts of the seat should be recyclable. Some municipal recycling programs will accept the textile portion and the rigid plastic material separately for recycling. Call yourmunicipal recycling coordinator to find out.

Carbon monoxide detectors generally do not contain radioactive materials and can be disposed of in your residential trash, after removing and safely disposing of any batteries (see the battery section to confirm proper disposal). Unfortunately the detectors are not acceptable in your curbside recycling programs and should not be placed in recycling.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas created by fuels that burn incompletely in poor or low ventilated areas. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the number one cause of poisoning death in America. All homes in Connecticut are required, by law, since 2014, to have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. It is recommended to have interconnected carbon monoxide detectors which will simultaneously go off when a high level of CO is detected. A long exposure to low levels of CO, or a high level exposure over a short period of time can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Extremely high levels of carbon monoxide can lead to incapacitation and loss of consciousness within minutes, which may result in death. A low level of CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms and may include nausea and headaches. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, get to fresh air immediately and remain out of the home until you are told it is safe to return.

Learn more about carbon monoxide and air quality in Connecticut. To learn about the health effects, and find videos, fact sheets and CT legislation on carbon monoxide from CT Department of Public Health.

If your carpets and rugs are in good reusable condition, consider donating them to a local non-profit thrift shop or a building materials reuse center. Currently there are no companies in CT that accept carpets or rugs for recycling. Old, dirty and used carpets are considered "bulky waste" in some communities and "municipal solid waste" in others. Contact your local municipal recycling coordinator or department of public works to learn how your community disposes of old used carpets.

Certain components of old cellular phones such as printed wiring boards, batteries and liquid crystal displays can pose a threat to the environment if improperly disposed of. If your cellular phone is in working condition, you may want to donate it to a growing number of programs that provide free phones to the elderly or potential victims of domestic violence. Call your town hall to find out if your town either sponsors such a program or is aware of a non-profit in your area that does so. When purchasing a new phone ask your cellular service provider if they will take your old phone for recycling.

Clean brick, rock, ceramics, concrete, and asphalt paving fragments, which are virtually inert and pose neither a fire threat nor a pollution threat to ground or surface water, are considered clean fill and do not require disposal in a solid waste facility. There are someaggregate recycling facilitiesin Connecticut. If these materials are contaminated, they must be treated as bulky waste and should be disposed of at apermitted solid waste disposal facility.

Brush, stumps and logs should preferably be recycled into wood mulch or firewood. If you do not have or cannot rent the equipment to do this yourself, check with your localtown or cityhall to see if they accept clean wood at the recycling center or transfer station. When hiring a contractor to do land clearing, be sure to include removal of materials in the contract, unless you want the wood for your own use. There are several privatewood recycling facilities and services in Connecticut. If disposal is the only option, land-clearing debris is considered bulky waste, and may be disposed of at anypermitted solid waste disposal facilitythat accepts bulky waste, such as at a resource recovery facility (RRF), solid waste landfill, or transfer station. You may not bury land-clearing debris on site, or at another location that is not a permitted solid waste disposal area.

Hazardous chemicals can often be found in these common household products: drain cleaners, floor-care products, oven cleaners, window sprays, bathroom cleaners, furniture and metal polishes, pesticides, and laundry products. When you shop for cleaning products, you can usually avoid these chemicals by reading the labels. Those labeled "Danger" or "Poison" are typically the most hazardous and should be avoided. Others are labeled "Caution" or " Warning"because they are skin or eye irritants and they may or may not be hazardous. Always read the instructions for proper use.

Unwanted or leftover hazardous products should notbe disposed of in the trash, flushed down the toilet or sink drains, nor should they be poured into storm drains or onto the ground. If you have any hazardous products in your home that you need to dispose of, bring them to a localhousehold hazardous waste collection. See the section below on"household hazardous waste"for more information.

Planning before your construction or remodeling project begins can reduce waste and increase the ability to divert materials for reuse and recycling! Connecticut has a number ofreuse centers for building materials that accept leftover or unused construction materials. Many materials can also be recycled including unused/scrap wallboard/gypsum board, CLEAN wood scraps (free from paint, not old furniture wood), asphalt shingles, pallets, and corrugated cardboard. Work with your hauler to create a successful waste diversion program. Wood or wallboard that has paint or other contaminants should be disposed in the trash.

During demolition or deconstruction, it is important to recognize that building waste may be contaminated with asbestos, lead-based paint, or other materials that may require special disposal. Before starting a demolition project, be sure to have the structure inspected by qualified professionals for the presence of asbestos, lead-based paint, mercury-containing lighting and equipment, and other hazardous materials, and ensure that these are removed, as necessary, to allow the remaining waste to be disposed of as regular construction and demolition (C&D) waste. For more information on the environmental issues involved with demolition, seeRenovation & Demolition: Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements You Should Know About.

Consumer electronics include items such as computers, monitors, televisions, IPods, PDA"s, pagers, VCRs, radios, telephones and other small electronic devices. Items that are in good working order can be donated to charities such as Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army, or can be offered on FreeCycle or Craigslist. Items that are no longer useful should be recycled at a local electronics collection.

There are several options for recycling consumer electronics. Some municipalities offer drop-off locations at their recycling center or transfer station. Other towns participate in regional one-day collections. Check with your local recycling coordinator for more information. Staple’s and Best Buy stores offer recycling of computers, peripherals and other electronics, no matter where you purchased them. Manufacturers, such as Dell, HP,and Leapfrog all have consumer take-back recycling programs. The Electronics TakeBack Coalition maintains a website that lists all the take-back programs in the US.

An electronics recycling law took effect in Connecticut in the fall of 2010. Under this law, each municipality is required to provide its residents with a free, convenient and accessible collection point for recycling televisions, computers, monitors and printers. For more information, go to the DEEP"s e-waste page.

Yemm & Hart, a company in Missouri is collecting wine cork stoppers (no plastic) with the goal of converting them into a useful self sustaining product. For more information contact Yemm & Hart Ltd. on-line or by phone at 573-783-5434.

Another option is ReCORK, a project collecting natural corks (no plastic) with a recycling market based in Portugal. ReCORK America, located in California, lists Public Drop-off Locations in New Jersey, New York, Maine, and Pennsylvania, or you can ship directly to them.

Cork ReHarvest, a program of the non-profit Cork Forest Conservation Alliance, partners with grocery stores, wine and bottle shops, winery tasting rooms, food and beverage and hospitality industries to collect cork at restaurants, hotels, wine bars, convention and performing arts centers. Drop-off locations in CT and surrounding states are listed.

TerraCycle, located in New Jersey, collects plastic wine corks and can be contacted on line or by phone at 609-393-4252. TerraCycle pays you for shipping and for each item you send. They also sell products made from the corks and an assortment of items they buy directly from the public.

The environmental impact of crayons isn’t so pretty. Crayons are made of paraffin, a petroleum-based wax, pigment, and sometimes fragrance and sparkles for the fancier ones. Crayola estimates that the average child wears down 730 crayons by age ten. So what can an environmentally conscious parent or teacher do about this waste? A little creative recycling!

Report dead wild animals found on your own property to your local animal control officer. Generally, dead animals on local roadways (roadkill) are removed by the municipal public works department or animal control officer. Check with your Municipal Town Hall and/or Transfer Station for your town’s procedures. To report dead animals found on state roads, contact the CT Department of Transportation using the drop-down menu on their comment form. Do not attempt to remove the animal yourself.

Small dead pets may be buried in your yard, disposed of by your veterinarian, cremated, or secured in a black plastic garbage bag and thrown in the garbage. Some communities prohibit burying animals in the back yard, and/or have specific guidance on choosing a suitable burial location, so please check with your local health department or animal control officer about local ordinances.

Dehumidifiers should not be disposed of with your regular trash. They use refrigerants that contain ozone-depleting chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), found under various trade names that contain the word "Freon." Certain Freon types have been phased out, but newer model dehumidifiers still contain gases that are hazardous to the environment and must be disposed of properly.

To learn how to dispose of dehumidifiers safely in your community, contact your municipal recycling coordinator. Many towns accept dehumidifiers at the local transfer station or other collection location and may charge a fee. Certain communities also offer curbside pick-up of appliances. You may also be directed to a scheduled Household Hazardous Waste Collection.

Lions-sponsored collection boxes may be found at Pearl Vision, Lens Crafters, Target Optical, Sears Optical and Sunglass Hut Stores in addition to libraries, schools, community centers, places of worship, train stations, coffee shops, video stores, optometrists" offices and other high traffic areas. Contact your local Lions Club for information about where to donate glasses in or near your community.

All fire extinguishers are under pressure and should not be put in the regular trash. There are three varieties of fire extinguishers manufactured in the past decade: water filled, gas filled and chemical filled extinguishers. Water filled and gas (CO2) filled extinguishers are inert, and are not harmful. The dry chemical variety can cause irritation, so extra care should be taken with these units. Many of today"s units are rechargeable. For a small fee you can have your fire extinguisher emptied, checked and re-filled.

Some communities accept fire extinguishers at the town transfer station, or local fire department. Other communities collect extinguishers at household hazardous waste collection events. Please contact your localmunicipal recycling coordinatorto learn how to dispose of fire extinguishers in your town.

If you have unexploded fireworks, they should not be thrown in the trash, since this could pose a serious injury, fire or explosion hazard. Instead, you should call your localfire marshalor police department and they will see to it that the fireworks are disposed of safely.

Monofilament fishing line can be very harmful to aquatic species and boaters. Because this fishing line does not decompose, it will stay in lakes, ponds or oceans. Fish and other species can become entangled and this will often lead to death. Fishing line can also become wrapped around boat propellers causing mechanical damage.

A resource for and an example of a fishing line recycling program may be found in the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission"sMonofilament Recovery and Recycling Program.

Currently, there are no curbside collection programs or centrally located compost facilities in Connecticut that accept residential food scraps for recycling. You can, however, consider starting your own compost bin for your organic materials. View DEEP"s home compostingbrochure,video (free download), andfact sheeton line. The VHS video entitled "Home Composting – Turning Your Spoils to Soil" is available at your local library. Or, you may purchase it for $8.00 at theDEEP Bookstore. A good on-line resource for purchasing compost bins and tools isThe Composting Network. Check with yourtown or cityhall to see if they offer compost bins through a special truckload sale.

Avoid putting food scraps down the garbage disposal. It shortens the life of septic systems and needs to be treated and disposed of at landfills or incinerators if it goes down the city sewer system. See theAsk Eartha articlein the Spring 2006 edition of DEEP’s "P2View" for a more in-depth discussion on this topic.

The best way to deal with old or unwanted fuel from cars and trucks, recreational vehicles, lawn care equipment, space heaters, or heating oil storage tanks is not generate it in the first place. If possible, don’t store motorized vehicles or equipment with fuel in them for long periods of time. For example, run your lawnmower dry on the last day that you mow your lawn in the fall, and store it in your garage to prevent water from getting in the tank. Plan ahead when you are buying fuel. For example, don’t fill up your five-gallon gasoline can just before mowing the lawn for the last time in the fall, to avoid having old gas left over in the spring. If you must store fuel for an extended period of time, add a fuel stabilizer to help keep it fresh and usable. Fuel stabilizers can be purchased at most auto parts stores.

If all else fails, you will have to dispose of your old or excess fuel. Check with your local service station or fuel retailer to see if they will accept it. If not, see if your local household hazardous waste collection will accept these fuels or contact your local municipal recycling coordinator.

Grass clippings are banned from disposal at landfills and incinerators. Leave them on the lawn where they will decompose and act as a natural organic fertilizer. View the DEEP"s "Don"t Trash Grass!"brochure,video(free download), orfact sheeton-line. A 15 minute VHS video of the same title is available in your local library or may be purchased at theDEEP Bookstorefor $8.00. You may also check with your localtown or cityhall to see if they accept grass clippings in their organics recycling program.

At home, you should never put grease, oils or fats down your drain. When you do this, you can clog drains, sewers, or septic systems, especially during cold weather when the grease will harden quickly. Instead, dispose of waste oils and fats in your regular trash. Hot oil should be allowed to cool. Place in a can or container before putting it into trash.

Businesses should never put grease, oils or fats down the drain/sewer or in the trash. DEEP issued a new general permit in 2005 to prevent the discharge of fats, oils and grease (FOG) from food preparation establishments to the sanitary sewer system. Learn more about FOG disposal and a FOG Model Program for businesses. Business must containerize high-quality grease and vegetable oils (e.g., from fryolators) and have them picked up by a rendering company or biodiesel producer.

Hand sanitizer products that come in liquid or gel form typically contain ethanol or "ethyl alcohol" as a sterilizing agent. If you have some of this type of hand sanitizer that you no longer want or need, don"t throw it in the regular trash, as this would pose a fire hazard both for you and for trash collectors. Instead, take it to a local household hazardous waste collection center or event for proper disposal.

In addition to recycling your batteries from hearing aids, you can also recycle the hearing aids themselves – regardless of how old they are or what kind of model including cochlear implants and analog hearing aids. Hearing aids will be refurbished or pieces will be used for parts. Hearing aids are collected by the Starkey Hearing Foundation "Hear Now" Program.

The best method of managing HHW is to prevent its generation in the first place. When purchasing household and car care products, select the least toxic item needed to do the job, and buy only the minimum amount necessary.

State law requires that towns provide for leaf recycling and that leaves be kept separate from other recyclables and garbage. Some towns collect leaves curbside during the fall, and some have residential drop-off areas. Others ask residents to compost them at home. Check with yourtown or cityhall for specific leaf collection information, as each town varies in their collection schedules and collection methods (bagged, raked to curb, drop-off, etc.). Leaves are perfect forhome composting. There are almost 100 large-scaleleaf composting sites in Connecticut.

Fluorescent bulbs come in various shapes and sizes. Some are the traditional, 2-, 4-, or 8-foot-long "tube" type bulb. Others include the newer "compact" fluorescent lights (CFLs) that screw in like a regular incandescent bulb. All of them contain varying amounts of the toxic metal mercury, and should not be disposed of in the regular trash.

CFLs are accepted at household hazardous waste collections. Refer to theschedule of household hazardous waste collectionsfor a location near you. Some municipalities offer recycling of CFLs and other fluorescent lamps at their transfer stations or other drop sites. Check with yourlocal recycling coordinatoror Department of Public Works for more information.

In 2008, The Home Depot began a collection program for compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Residents can bring any brand of CFL, regardless of where it was purchased, to any ConnecticutHome Depot store.IKEA storesalso accept CFLs for recycling.

Incandescent bulbs include traditional screw-in line bulbs, and come in various sizes and shapes (e.g., round bulbs, and cone-shaped flood and spot lights). They include traditional tungsten-element light bulbs, as well as the newer halogen lamps. All of these types of bulbs may be disposed of in the regular trash. If you use these lamps, though, you should consider switching over to fluorescent bulbs -- or, even better, the newer LED lamps -- since they can provide dramatic energy savings, which in return reduces air pollution emissions from electrical generation plants.

Both incandescent and LED holiday lights are recyclable. By recycling your broken and outdated lights, you’ll keep the toxins in the electric cables out of the incinerator. Check with your localmunicipal recycling coordinatorto see if they collect Christmas lights for recycling.

Home DepotandWhole Foods Markethave coordinated seasonal trade-in or recycling collection programs at different locations and may offer discount coupons in exchange. These programs usually run for only a week or two sometime between October and December.

Other options include mailing your broken or obsolete lights to a number of retailers, includingChristmas Light Sourcein Fort Worth, Texas andFive Star Holiday Décorin Springville, UT, which sell your old lights to raise funds for the Toys for Tots program.HolidayLEDs.comin Jackson, Missouri recycles your old holiday lights and offers a 15% discount on your next purchase of LED lights.

Whether you subscribe to Vogue, People or The New Yorker, these published periodicals can pile up on our tables, floors and dressers. You can avoid the clutter altogether by borrowing magazines from your local library and then returning them once you’re finished reading. Though, if you must have them delivered, consider sharing recent issues with friends, libraries, or hospitals. Nature magazines with photos of animals and beautiful scenery can be donated to schools and daycare centers after you’ve finished reading them. Once you’ve exhausted re-use opportunities, all magazines should be recycled!

The disposal of expired marine flares, also known visual distress signals (VDS), is strictly regulated by the US EPA and US DOT because of their chemical make-up and flammable characteristics. The DEEP Boating Division is NO LONGER able to collect expired marine flares, but does arrange disposal opportunities from time to time. DEEP and the US Coast Guard also hold periodic Flare Day Events, which allow you the opportunity to dispose of expired marine flares and to learn the proper way to use the flares before you need them in an emergency situation. For information about the disposal of marine flares or Flare Day Events, contact the DEEP"s Boating Division 860-447-4371.

A special voluntary program is in place for recycling mattresses. The Mattress Recycling Council has developed a fact sheet for CT municipalities and created a locator tool,www.byebyemattress.com, where residents can find a drop off location for their used mattresses. Please note that since this program is voluntary on behalf of municipalities, some towns may not be participating. If you do not get results when using the locator tool, please contact yourlocal recycling coordinatorto find out where to bring your used mattress for recycling or disposal. For more information please visit ourMattress Recyclingweb page.

Biomedical waste ("BMW") must be packaged, labeled, and marked as required by state regulations. Generators and permitted BMW transporters must deliver the waste to a permitted "BMW treatment facility" to store, treat, or dispose the waste. The methods of treatment / disposal are as follows:

BMW may be treated in accordance with methods specified in the regulations. If treated, BMW must be rendered unrecognizable in order to be disposed as municipal solid waste.

Medical supplies and equipment include home medical equipment and unused, unexpired surplus medical supplies, and medical and nursing textbooks. Programs that reuse or recycle medical supplies do not include the disposal of pharmaceuticals, opened sterile packages, or hazardous waste.

There is a recent movement to distribute these resources to underserved areas in the U.S. and internationally. In Connecticut, different organizations accept used medical equipment, repair them, and sell and/or donate them to persons in need.Chariots for Hope accepts used wheelchairs, and New England Assistive Technology Center at Oak Hill,as well as theHospital for Special Care accepts not only used wheelchairs, but other medical eqipment such as tub benches, canes, rollator walkers, ramps and raised toil