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1. What items are prohibited at the Recycling Drop Off?

• Electronics/E-waste
• Batteries of any kind 
• Hazardous materials: asbestos, chemicals, oils, paints, cleaners, needles, etc. 
• Yard debris/compostables/food waste 
• Construction debris/wood 
• Medical waste: used gloves/masks, medicine 
• Styrofoam 
• Drinking/wine glasses, or glass dishware
• Vases or other ornamental glass 
• Pyrex or other tempered glass
• Window/door glass panes 
• Light bulbs 
• Aluminum foil or pie tins 
• Plastic bags
• Any #1 or #2 plastic that doesn’t have a threaded cap
• Any plastic that doesn’t have a recycling symbol
• Motor/gear oil containers
• Furniture
• Toys
• Large storage bins
• Plastics marked compostable or biodegradable 
• Waxed, oily, greasy, or glossy cardboard/chipboard
• Take-out containers, paper cups, paper plates, or other plastic-lined/waxed/treated paper material such as paper milk/juice cartons or drink boxes 
• Photographs
• Ream wrappers or plastic wrappers
• Telephone book magnets
• Tyvek
• Paper towels
• Napkins
• Facial tissues
• Toilet paper 

2. Does the Recycling Division pay for aluminum cans or other materials?

No. Recycling post-consumer packaging materials is generally not profitable. Most materials cost more to process and ship than what they raise in revenue. While aluminum brings in more revenue than other materials, that money is used to offset some of the costs to run the recycling program. Scrap metal facilities can pay for aluminum cans because scrap metal is profitable enough to maintain a free-standing business. Western Metals (970-242-9500) and Pacific Steel & Recycling (970-241-2551) both pay for aluminum and other metals.

 

3. Why do I need to separate my materials?

The Recycling Division has been committed to multi stream recycling from the beginning. With the public’s help in keeping materials separated, we maintain trash and contamination rates well below industry averages, and we’re able to process and ship clean, high-grade commodities. Single stream recycling programs that combine materials together have much higher contamination rates that result in low-quality materials, which often must be downcycled or landfilled and are harder to sell.

4. Where can I recycle appliances or electronics?

You can find where to take hard-to-recycle items, such as appliance, electronics, batteries, and light bulbs here.

5. Will my collection be cancelled due to bad weather?

It is extremely unlikely that a recycling route will be cancelled. Only one route day in the last 20 years was cancelled due to weather.