Roaring Fork Valley
Recycling Guide
WHY RECYCLE? Recycling is one of the easiest actions you can take to support clean air
and water, save our forest ecosystems, reduce energy, and protect the environment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
WASTEFREEROARINGFORK.ORG
General Household Recycling:
RECYCLING TIPS:
Glass bottles & jars, cans (except aerosol), #1-7 plastics (except compostable plant based
plastics & Styrofoam), foil, newspaper, magazines, cardboard (except food stained),
paperboard, office paper & envelopes, phonebooks, etc.
Ask your current hauler about curbside recycling services. You might just be able to
downsize your trashcan and add recycling for little to no extra cost! These services are
offered in dual or single stream recycling. Dual stream involves separating paper and
cardboard from cans, bottles & plastics, while single stream collects them all in a single
container.
• Empty and rinse all containers.
• Paper and cardboard must be dry and free of food debris. Food grease and stains
contaminate the recycling process, however, paper with food debris and shredded paper
can be composted.
• Loosen caps from bottles but leave lids attached to containers.
NOTE!
Do not mix food waste, plastic
bags, polystyrene foam cups &
containers, hangers or hazardous
waste with your recyclables.
NOTE!
Compostable containers
(plastics marked as
“compostable”) are not
recyclable. They must be
composted at a certified facility
or disposed of in the trash.
Compostables that are placed in
the recycling can contaminate
the waste stream potentially
making it so that the recyclable
items have to be thrown in
the trash.
CURBSIDE RECYCLING HAULERS:
Contact each hauler directly for items accepted and sorting procedures:
Mountain Waste & Recycling: (970) 945-2822 or (970) 963-3435
(formerly InterMountain Waste and Recycling and Mountain Refuse Inc.)
Dual Stream Recycling
VIP Trash: (970) 945-9228 | www.viptrash.net
Single or dual stream recycling depending on home’s location
Waste Management: 1(866) 909-4458 | www.wm.com
Single Stream Recycling
RECYCLING DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:
Please contact each location directly or visit their website for hours of operation and
items accepted.
Aspen:
• The Pitkin County Landfill (970) 429-2880 | Mile Marker 32 on Hwy 82 in Snowmass
between the Aspen Village & Brush Creek traffic signals.
• Rio Grand Recycling Center (970) 429-1831 | Located on Rio Grand Place next to the
skate park.
• Visit www.landfillrules.com/recycling/ for complete details on both locations
Basalt:
• Waste Management’s transfer station, 15 Park Avenue. No phone number. For use by Pitkin &
Eagle County residents only.
• Accepts cans, plastics 1-7, aluminum foil, recyclable glass, paper including copy paper,
mail, paper bags, magazines, phone books, newspapers & receipts and corrugated
cardboard, six-pack holders, cereal boxes (with the liner removed), cardboard tubes, etc.
• To ensure glass is recycled do not put it in the co-mingled bin. Place it in the glass-only bin.
No waxed or food stained items.
Glenwood Springs:
• Town Recycling Center: 1015 School Street | (970) 945-2931
www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us/departments/publicworks/recycle/index.htm
• South Canyon Landfilll 1205 CR 130 | (970) 945-5375
www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us/departments/publicworks/landfill/sclandfill_neww_2013.htm
Composting:
COMPOSTING IS EASY!
DID YOU KNOW:
Almost half of the food in the
U.S. goes to waste -approximately
3,000 pounds per second.
(Source: http:/recycleacrossamerica.
org/recycling-facts)
DID YOU KNOW:
Plastic straws and plastic
cutlery cannot be recycled.
These are trash.
You could reduce close to half of your household waste just through composting
your food scraps. You can build your own compost bin at home (visit the Glenwood
Springs Environmental Programs page to download a compost brochure here: www.
ci.glenwood-springs.co.us/departments/publicworks/recycle/GWS_CompostHome.
pdf) or have your food scraps picked up through a commercial hauler. Commercial
composting facilities process items that can’t be easily composted at home such as
meat and compostable dinnerware.
CURBSIDE COMPOST HAULERS
• EverGreen Events: (970) 987-3140 | www.evergreenevents.net
Office-Suite 2 at the Third Street Center in Carbondale. EverGreen Events offers
curbside collection of all your organic materials including meat, bone & dairy, tissue,
paper towels, waxed cardboard, pizza boxes, compostable dinnerware, yard waste &
more. EverGreen Events also offers zero waste event planning services.
• Mountain Waste & Recycling (970) 963-3435.
PITKIN COUNTY RESIDENTS:
• Businesses, homeowners & HOA’s in Pitkin County can receive a free indoor collection
bin from the City of Aspen. Contact Liz O’Connell, the City of Aspen’s Waste Reduction
& Environmental Health Specialist at (970) 429-1831.
• Residents may drop off their food scraps for free at Pitkin County Landfill.
DID YOU KNOW:
Americans throw away
enough office paper each
year to build a 12 foot high
wall from Seattle to New York.
(Source: http://recycleacrossamerica.
org/recycling-facts)
DID YOU KNOW:
Recycling one aluminum can
saves enough energy to run a TV
for 2 hours, power a computer
for 3 hours, power a 100W light
bulb for 20 hours.
(Source: Waste Management)
NOTE: Buy compostable dinnerware instead of plastic for your next
party or picnic to reduce your waste. Some grocery stores now carry
compostable plates, cups, and cutlery made from paper, corn, potato,
and sugar cane. Compostable products are oftentimes a better
environmental choice than plastic, but they MUST BE composted in order
to achieve their maximum environmental benefit. These items can NOT
be recycled. Make sure the products are certified by the Biodegradable
Products Institute (BPI).
Locally, EverGreen Events sells compostable products.
Other Recycleable Items:
Contact each location directly for more information. Fees may apply for certain items.
BATTERIES:
Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and
nickel, which can contaminate the environment.
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Aspen: Pitkin County Landfill & the Rio Grande Recycling Center
• Glenwood Springs: – Town Recycling Center
– Brite Ideas- (513) 504-6887 | 5392 Cty Rd 154
www. coloradobulbrecycling.com
CELL PHONES:
FREE DROP-OFF:
• Valley-wide: Each Alpine Bank location collects old cell phones. Bring in your old cell phone
(make sure it is inactive) and any accessories. The phones and accessories are refurbished and
donated to various community assistance organizations or they are recycled.
• Aspen: – Pitkin County landfill
– City of Aspen City Hall on the first floor.
If you would like to suggest another location to place a collection box, please contact Aurelio Rubio at
aurelio.rubio@pitkincounty.com.
GET PAID TO RECYCLE YOUR OLD CELL PHONE:
Waste Management will pay you for your old cell phone. Learn more here: www.wmpaystorecycle.com/.
Go online to register and you can ship it for free and then receive payment!
CLOTHES & TEXTILES:
Clothing that is still in good condition can be taken to a local thrift store. Call ahead and confirm
which items they will accept. Clothing, shoes and other textiles that cannot be sold at your local
thrift store can be transported out of the Valley and recycled into a variety of products including
cleaning rags, carpet padding, rubberized playgrounds and insulation.
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
Basalt Select Thrift Store: Accepts textiles and shoes including well-worn, torn and even stained
items. Basalt Thrift is the Valley’s only textile recycler and each year they keep over a half a million
pounds of usable items out of the landfill. 180 South Side Drive in Basalt. (970) 927-6488.
www.basaltthrift.org/recycle/
ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING:
In 2013, Colorado passed a law making it illegal to landfill electronic waste or “e-waste,” defined
as anything that has a plug or uses batteries. These items contain lead and other toxic materials
that can leak out of the landfill and pollute our watershed.
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Aspen: Pitkin County Landfill. Pitkin County residents receive a $100 credit to the landfill each
year. Bring proof of residency such as a utility bill or vehicle registration plus your ID.
• Glenwood Springs: Town Recycling Center & South Canyon Landfill.
• Garfield County Residents: Garfield County citizens may drop off their e-waste from
1:00 - 3:00PM the second Thursday of each month at the Road & Bridge District Shop located at
7300 Hwy 82 Glenwood Springs. (970) 625-2516.
Other Recycleable Items:
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, LUMBER & FURNITURE:
The Habitat for Humanity Restore: (970) 945-7733 and www.restorecarbondale.com.
• Basalt: 140 Basalt Center Circle
• Glenwood Springs: –7025 Highway 82 on Hwy 82 at mile marker 7
–120 Midland Ave. Just past Target and Lowes on Midland Ave
The Restore will accept household items in new condition including: appliances, cabinets, doors, flooring
materials, furniture, light fixtures in working condition, full and 1/2 sheets of plywood, full lengths of
lumber, trim in smaller pieces, but not less than 4 feet long, paint, 4’ and over of any type of pipe, and
all supplies and fittings, fiberglass tubs, sinks, toilets, all types of roofing material, tools, windows and
screens. The items that are accepted vary at each location. Contact ReStore prior to dropping off items.
They will even pick up your items for free! To arrange pick up, visit: www.restorecarbondale.com/
donation-pick-up-request.
LIGHT BULB RECYCLING:
CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should be recycled.
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Valley-wide: Alpine Bank: In partnership with Holy Cross Energy, all Alpine Bank locations within
the Holy Cross Energy service area will collect and recycle burned out CFL light bulbs.
• Aspen:The City of Aspen Environmental Health Department located on the 2nd floor of the City
Hall in Aspen at 130 S. Galena Street. (970) 920-5039
• Carbondale: The Ace Hardware located in the Crystal Village Plaza Shopping Center at 1101
Highway 133. (970) 963-6663
• Glenwood Springs: Brite Ideas Bulb Recycling: They will recycle ALL light bulbs, including linear
fluorescent, compact fluorescent, high pressure sodium, metal halide and UV lamps, non-PCB
electronic ballasts and magnetic ballasts. Located at All Phase Electric Supply at 5392 Cty Rd
154. (513) 504-6887. www.coloradobulbrecycling.com.
MEDICATIONS
Medications that are flushed down the toilet are polluting the nation’s drinking water. In 2002,
scientists with the US Geological Survey found antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control, seizure
medication, cancer treatments, pain killers, tranquilizers and cholesterol-lowering compounds in
80% of the water they tested. Keep our water clean by disposing of old medications properly.
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Aspen: The City of Aspen Police Department will accept medications (prescription or over-thecounter) anonymously. The items are properly destroyed. 506 E. Main St., Aspen (970) 920-5400
• Glenwood Springs: The Glenwood Springs Police Department has a medication drop-off box
for non-liquids only. Citizens can bring in their expired or unused prescription medications and
dispose of them in the metal container. All items are then collected and properly destroyed. This is
totally anonymous without any contact with law enforcement officials.
101 West 8th St. (970) 384-6500.
• Valley-Wide: City Market Pharmacy sells kits for safe disposal of medications.
Visit your local City Market or www.medsaway.com for more information.
WASTEFREEROARINGFORK.ORG
Other Recycleable Items:
METAL:
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Aspen: Pitkin County landfill
• Glenwood Springs: – Town Recycling Center
– The Habitat for Humanity Restore accepts 4 feet
and over of any type of pipe, and all supplies and fittings.
PACKAGING MATERIALS:
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Aspen: Millennium Pack ‘n Ship accepts recycled packaging materials including clean bubble wrap,
foam sheets and peanuts. 465 N Mill St # 12. (970) 920-2204.
• Glenwood Springs: UPS accepts packaging peanuts. Located at 1338 Grand Ave. (970) 945-1525.
PAINT & LIQUID HAZARDOUS WASTE:
DID YOU KNOW:
The triangle of arrows with
a number in the center,
featured on most plastics,
simply indicates the type
of plastic the item is
constructed from. It is not a
recycling symbol, it is a code
for different chemicals. For
example, some plastic bags
have a triangle with a #2 or
#4, but our local recyclers
do not accept them.
Including oil, miscellaneous household chemicals, spray cans, etc.
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• The Pitkin County Landfill: Will accept all paints and paint related chemicals, oil, antifreeze, aerosol
cans and other liquids.
Residents with volumes greater than 55 gallons of paint, motor oil or other hazardous material should
call Jed Miller at 429-2892 or Jed.Miller@pitkincounty.com or Aurelio Rubio at 429-2888 or
Aurelio.Rubio@pitkincounty.com to discuss disposal options.
• Habitat for Humanity Restore: Will accept latex paint.
• PaintCare: www.paintcare.org. Located at the Sherwin Williams in Glenwood & Aspen and
Ace Hardware in Carbondale will accept:
- Interior and exterior paints: latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel
(including textured coatings)
- Deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric)
- Primers, sealers, undercoaters
- Stains
- Shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component)
- Waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellents (not tar or bitumen-based)
- Metal coatings, rust preventatives
- Field and lawn paints
PLASTIC BAGS:
Plastic bags (even with a triangle and number) are difficult to recycle as they can get tangled in the
recycling sorting machinery. Separate your bags and take them to a location that transports plastic
bags to a recycling facility. Some grocery stores collect plastic bags including:
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• City Market in El Jebel
• Safeway in Glenwood Springs
• Wal-Mart in Glenwood Springs
Aspen has a “Bag Bank” system at various locations to allow people to pick up reusable bags and leave
clean, reusable (not single-use plastic or paper) bags at no charge.
WASTEFREEROARINGFORK.ORG
Other Recycleable Items:
REFRIGERATORS:
Refrigerators must have the freon removed and be stamped as such by a certified freon
removal specialist.
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Alltemp: Call (970) 927-8304. $40 if dropped off in Glenwood Springs at
3405 South Grand Ave. $102.50 for pickup.
• Valley Refrigeration: Call (970) 945-9859. $45 for freon removal or $75 for freon removal and disposal.
• Pete’s Refrigeration: (970) 379-4819
• Xcel: If Excel is your utility provider they will pick up and recycle your old working refrigerator or freezer
for free as well as provide you a cash rebate. For details visit www.xcelenergy.com/Energy_Solutions/
Residential_Solutions/Rebates_&_Energy_Savings/Refrigerator_Recycling
• Holy Cross Energy: has rebates for $100 to replace an older model or get rid of an extra working unit.
Visit www.holycross.com to apply.
SNOW SPORTS EQUIPMENT:
The Snow Sports Recycling Program (SSRP) is a first-in-the-nation pilot program to recycle snow sports
equipment. SSRP has a network of drop-off locations with participating retailers in Denver, Salt Lake City,
Seattle, and Portland. So far, they have recycled approximately 500 tons of equipment.
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Glenwood Springs: Recycle your skis, snowboards, boots, poles and helmets at Mountain Sports Outlet.
205 6th St, Glenwood Springs. (970) 945-5001.
• For Aspen, Snowmass & other locations visit: www.snowsrp.org/getinvolved/drop-off-locations
TIRES:
RECYCLING LOCATIONS:
• Aspen: Pitkin County landfill
• Basalt: Big O Tires 100 Southside Dr | (970) 927-3038
• Glenwood Springs: - South Canyon Landfill
- Big O Tires 51079 Hwy 6 | (970) 945-8550
UNCOMMON ITEMS:
• www.terracycle.com: Recycles a variety of objects including oral care items, water filters, cigarette
waste, snack bags and more! They even donate the revenue from recycling these items to a non-profit
of your choice.
• www.search.earth911.com: This website will locate recycling centers near you.
• www.ecocycle.org/charm: Heading to Boulder? Visit EcoCycles’s CHaRM facility (Center for Hard to
Recycle Materials). They recycle a variety of items ranging from cooking oil, yoga mats, bike parts,
concrete, porcelain fixtures, styrofoam and more!
DID YOU KNOW:
Your old plastic bottle
could become your new
fleece jacket? When plastic
bottles are recycled, they
are shredded into flakes
used to create fibers which
are, in turn, used in the
filling for sleeping bags,
as loft insulation and in
fleeces, hats, carpets and
business suits.(Management)
LOCAL LANDFILL LOCATIONS:
Please contact these entities directly for the most current operating hours and fees.
Most facilities don’t charge for household recycling.
• Pitkin County Resource Recovery Landfill: 32046 Highway 82, Snowmass Village, (970) 429-2880, www.landfillrules.com
• Garfield County Landfill: 0075 CR 246 Rifle, (970) 625-2516, (970) 945-5375, www.garfield-county.com/landfill
• South Canyon Landfill: 1205 CR 130 Glenwood Springs, www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us
OPT
OUT!
Prevent Waste Before It Happens!
Every year, more than 100 million trees are cut to produce junk mail.
Visit www.ecocycle.org/junkmail#. Six Steps to learn how to be removed
from junk mail lists. Additionally, you can end phonebook deliveries by
visiting www.yellowpagesoptout.com.
According to the EPA, the average person generates over
4 pounds of trash every day and about 1.5 tons of solid
waste per year. Over 75% of that waste is recyclable,
but Americans only recycle about 30% of it (according
to www.greenwaste.com).
BE PART OF THE
SOLUTION WITH THIS
ROARING FORK VALLEY
RECYCLING GUIDE
This guide was compiled by Waste Free Roaring Fork and the
Town of Carbondale’s Environmental Board. You are encouraged to
contact each entity directly for the most current information regarding
recycling procedures, acceptable items, hours and recycling fees.
Visit www.wastefreeroaringfork.org for more information on waste
reduction and www.carbondalegov.org for information pertaining to
Carbondale’s Environmental Board.
WASTEFREEROARINGFORK.ORG
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