Gently used yoga mats can be donated to local thrift stores. Contact stores for specific guidelines.

Yoga mats that cannot be donated should be thrown away in the trash.

Wrapping paper can be recycled in your curbside recycle bin or at drop-off locations listed below.

Do not recycle any glittery or metallic wrapping paper, ribbons, or bows.

Consider wrapping gifts in newspaper, maps, cloth bags, reusable gift bags, or reusable gift boxes as alternatives to wrapping paper.

Wire can be recycled as scrap metal at the locations listed below. Contact location for details on whether to bundle the wire prior to recycling.

If included in curbside recycling, wire and other “tanglers” cause damage to equipment at the recycling sorting facility.

Window glass can be recycled ONLY at the drop-off locations listed below.

Window glass is a different type of material than glass bottles or jars, and CANNOT be recycled with them.

White office paper can be included in your curbside recycling bin, or taken to drop-off locations listed below. 

Paper should be left flat in order to be properly sorted at the recycling plant. Colored ink on the paper is ok. Please remove paper and binder clips before recycling. Staples are ok to include. 

Tire rims can be recycled as scrap metal at local scrap metal recyclers and at the drop-off locations listed below.

Water heaters can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. Be sure to drain of water before recycling. If the appliance is in good condition, consider trading it in or selling it to a used appliance store. Fees may apply; contact specific location for details.

Plastic vitamin and prescription bottles are accepted in curbside recycling or at drop-off locations listed below. Bottles must be empty.

Video game systems can be donated to local thrift shops or recycled with other electronics at the drop-off locations listed below.

Fees may apply; contact specific location before dropping off.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Vacuum cleaners can be recycled as scrap metal at the drop-off locations listed below.

An item must be at least 50% metal to be recycled as scrap metal. This includes a wide variety of items, including water heaters, lawnmowers, wire, satellite dishes, metal shelves and bicycles. Most any item with a motor or power cord has enough metal in it to be recycled as scrap metal. If an item has a circuit board, it must be recycled with electronics.

The only metals that are accepted in curbside recycling are aluminum and steel cans, and aluminum foil. Other scrap metals should never be included in curbside recycling, as they can damage recycling equipment at the sorting facility. They should instead be recycled at local scrap metal recyclers.

Tools can be donated to local thrift stores or recycled as scrap metal. Contact stores verify if they accept certain tools.

Tissue wrapping paper can be recycled curbside or at the drop-off locations listed below.

Do not include any glitter, ribbons, or bows.

Tin or steel cans can be recycled curbside or at drop-off locations listed below.

Cans should be empty and dry. They should not be crushed or flattened, and it’s ok to leave their labels on.  

Televisions in working condition can be donated to local thrift shops. Contact location before donating.

Televisions can also be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees may apply. Contact specific location before dropping off.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of televisions and other electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Telephone books can be recycled curbside or at drop-off locations listed below.

Stoves and other appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. If the appliance is in good condition, consider trading it in or selling it to a used appliance store. Fees may apply; contact specific location for details.

Stereos, speakers, and other sound equipment in working condition can be donated to local thrift shops. Contact specific locations before donating. They can also be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees may apply; contact specific location before dropping off.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Spiral bound notebooks can be recycled in your curbside recycle bin or at the drop-off locations listed below. Remove the cover & back of the notebook (paperboard covers can be recycled at these locations). The spiral does NOT need to be removed.

 Both metal and plastic bound spiral notebooks are accepted.

Snowblowers can be recycled as scrap metal at the drop-off locations listed below. They should be emptied of liquids before recycling.

An item must be at least 50% metal to be recycled as scrap metal. This includes a wide variety of items, including water heaters, lawn mowers, wire, satellite dishes, metal shelves and bicycles. Most any item with a motor or power cord has enough metal in it to be recycled as scrap metal. If an item has a circuit board, it must be recycled with electronics.

The only metals that are accepted in curbside recycling are aluminum and steel cans, and aluminum foil. Other scrap metals should never be included in curbside recycling, as they can damage recycling equipment at the sorting facility. They should instead be recycled at local scrap metal recyclers.

Small appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, toasters, food processors, and mixers are considered scrap metal and can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below.

They should not be put in curbside recycling. Fees may apply; contact specific location for details. 

Shredded paper can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. Place shredded paper loose in the office paper bin at the recycling drop-off centers listed below. 

Do NOT include shredded paper in your curbside recycle bin. The paper literally falls through the cracks in the machinery at the sorting facility, and will not be recycled

Note: These locations do not offer secure document shredding services.

Paper can be recycled 7-12 times. However, when shredded, its value is decreased and the number of times it can be recycled decreases drastically. In order to maintain the value of the paper fibers, shred only when necessary. Consider only shredding the documents (or parts of the documents) that contain sensitive information – and recycle the rest whole!

Scrap metal items can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below.

An item must be at least 50% metal to be recycled as scrap metal. This includes a wide variety of items, including water heaters, lawnmowers, wire, satellite dishes, metal shelves and bicycles. Most any item with a motor or power cord has enough metal in it to be recycled as scrap metal. If an item has a circuit board, it must be recycled with electronics.

Scrap metal items that contain liquid, like lawnmowers, must be emptied before recycling. Fees may apply to items that contain Freon or other CFCs (freezers, air conditioners etc.).

Pressurized containers such as propane containers cannot be recycled as scrap metal, and should be specially recycled. See how to recycle propane containers here.

The only metals that can be included in curbside recycling are aluminum and steel cans and aluminum foil. Other scrap metal items should never be included in curbside recycling, as they can damage recycling equipment at the sorting facility.

Satellite dishes can be recycled as scrap metal at specified drop off locations.

Large plastic storage tubs with a #2 or #5 on them can be recycled with bulky rigid plastics at the drop-off locations listed below.

Bulky rigid plastics describes plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE) or #5 (PP) in the chasing arrow symbol on them that are larger than what is acceptable in curbside recycling. This includes plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets, crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers.

Be sure to remove all metals (e.g. screws, bolts, axles, bins, hinges, handles; etc.) and other non-plastic items before recycling.

Pumpkins can be composted in backyard compost systems or through local compost companies.

Plastic pumpkins can be donated to local thrift shops or be thrown away. They should not be included in recycling.

Printer cartridges can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below.

Many manufacturers provide pre-paid envelops or mailing labels to return used printer cartridges for recycling.

Many retail stores that sell printer cartridges and toner will also take used ones back for recycling – check with stores for details.

Gently used pots and pans can be donated to local thrift stores or recycled as scrap metal.  

Contact store before donating to verify what they can accept.

Pots and pans that cannot be reused can be recycled as scrap metal at the drop-off locations listed below.  

Plastic tubs, including yogurt tubs and sour cream tubs, are accepted in curbside recycling or at drop-off locations listed below. Tubs must be empty and dry. 

Plastic play structures can be donated to local thrift stores for reuse or recycled as a bulky rigid plastic.

Contact thrift stores for details on donation or recycle at the drop-off locations listed below.

Bulky rigid plastics describes plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE) or #5 (PP) in the chasing arrow symbol on them that are larger than what is acceptable in curbside recycling. This includes plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets, crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers.

Be sure to remove all metals (e.g. screws, bolts, axles, bins, hinges, handles; etc.) and other non-plastic items before recycling.

Plastic pet carriers can be donated for reuse or recycled as a bulky rigid plastic.

Many local thrift stores and some animal rescue centers accept pet carriers. Contact individual locations for details.

Plastic pet carriers can also be recycled as bulky rigid plastics at the drop-off locations listed below.

Bulky rigid plastics describes plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE) or #5 (PP) in the chasing arrow symbol on them that are larger than what is acceptable in curbside recycling. This includes plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets, crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers.

Be sure to remove all metals (e.g. doors, screws, bolts, axles, bins, hinges, handles; etc.) and other non-plastic items before recycling.

Plastic peanut butter jars are accepted in curbside recycling or at the drop-off locations listed below.

Jars should be empty and dry.  Jars do not need to be spotless, but the majority of food should be cleaned from the jar.  Soaking the jar in water is a good way to loosen stuck-on food. 

Plastic lawn furniture can be recycled as bulky rigid plastic at the drop-off locations listed below.

Bulky rigid plastics describes plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE) or #5 (PP) in the chasing arrow symbol on them that are larger than what is acceptable in curbside recycling. This includes plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets, crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers.

Be sure to remove all metals (e.g. screws, bolts, axles, bins, hinges, handles; etc.) and other non-plastic items before recycling.

Plastic jugs, including plastic milk jugs, laundry detergent, and juice jugs are accepted in curbside recycling or at drop-off locations listed below.

Jugs must be empty and dry. Plastic caps can be left on empty jugs.

Plastic grocery bags and plastic film can be recycled at most grocery stores, big box stores, or at one of the drop-off locations listed below. Ask an associate where to find drop-off bins as these vary from location to location.

Bags and film should be clean and dry, with stickers and labels removed.

Recyclable plastic film includes grocery bags, produce, bread, dry-cleaning, Ziploc-type and newspaper bags, along with industrial shrink-wrap, air pillows, and bubble wrap. Plastic wrapping such as that around paper towels and toilet paper can also be included with plastic film. Recyclable plastic film is often labeled with a #2 (HDPE) or #4 (LDPE) in the chasing arrows.

Plastic bags SHOULD NEVER be placed in curbside recycling or be used to bag recyclable items before placing them in your bin. Plastic bags and plastic film cause major issues at recycling sorting plants, tangling in recycling equipment and causing it to jam and break. Be sure to recycle your plastic grocery bags and other plastic film, just not in curbside recycling!

Signs made of plastic film can be separated from the metal wicket and recycled in plastic film bins at the drop-off locations listed below or in plastic film bins at grocery stores and local retail stores.

The metal wickets can be recycled as scrap metal at local scrap metal recyclers.

The primary way to know whether a plastic can be recycled curbside or at the drop-off center is by its shape. The only plastics that can be recycled curbside in Fort Collins are plastic bottles, jugs and tubs. Bottles include soda or water bottles, and shampoo jugs. Jugs include plastic milk jugs and plastic laundry jugs. Tubs include the solid white dairy tubs like those that contain yogurt or sour cream, as well as translucent tubs commonly used in delis or for liquidy takeout like soups. When in doubt if a tub is recyclable, you can double check by looking for a #5 in the chasing arrows on the container.

Always be sure that all containers are empty and dry before recycling. Do NOT recycle motor oil, chemical, or pesticide bottles.

Due to changes in international recycling markets, local recycling guidelines do not include low-value plastic containers. These are typically the thinnest and flimsiest types of plastics, such as plastic clamshell containers (that hold berries), plastic party cups, and plastic take-out containers. These items should be thrown away. Community members may choose to avoid them by selecting reusable options and avoiding products packaged in low-value plastics. 

Plastic buckets can be recycled as bulky rigid plastics at the drop-off locations listed below. Contact specific drop off locations before visiting to verify if they can take a specific item.

Bulky rigid plastics describes plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE) or #5 (PP) in the chasing arrow symbol on them that are larger than what is acceptable in curbside recycling. This includes plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets, crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers.

Be sure to remove all metals, including handles, and other non-plastic items before recycling.

Pizza boxes that are not significantly soiled with food waste can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin or at the drop-off locations listed below.

Pizza boxes that are greasy or have food on them should be thrown away. If there is a large amount of grease on the bottom of the pizza box, tear off the greasy section to throw away or compost and then recycle the clean portion.

While Fort Collins municipal code bans the landfill disposal of cardboard, items that can’t be recycled, such as greasy pizza boxes, are excluded. Dirty or soiled cardboard should be composted or thrown in the trash.

Personal care appliances such as hair dryers, hair curlers, curling irons, electric shavers, straighteners, and other small electric appliances for personal care can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below.

They should not be put in curbside recycling. Fees may apply; contact specific location for details. 

Paperboard can be included in your curbside recycling bin or at drop-off locations listed below.

Paperboard is single-layer cardboard, also known as chipboard. Recyclable paperboard items include cereal, food, gift, and shoe boxes, paper egg cartons, toilet paper and paper towel tubes.

The following items CANNOT be recycled:

• Frozen Food Boxes
  • Boxes designed for the freezer have plastic mixed in with the paper fibers
• Paper frozen juice containers
• Ice cream cartons
• Pet food bags
• Charcoal bags
• Paper plates, bowls, cups etc.

Gently used books can be donated to used bookstores or libraries. Paperback books can also be recycled in your curbside recycling bin or at drop-off locations listed below.

Hard cover books can be donated or recycled at these locations.

Paper towel and toilet paper tubes can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin or at drop-off locations listed below. Tubes should be empty, without any other materials still stuck to them.

Thicker, rigid cardboard tubes – like carpet roll tubes – should be reused or disposed of in the trash.

Paper bags can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin or at drop-off locations listed below. Bags should be flattened. Do not recycle bags that are dirty or greasy.

Polystyrene (Styrofoam) block foam is not recyclable in Fort Collins and should be disposed of in the trash.

The nearest location recycling this material is the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) in Boulder, which can accept #6 white block foam (typically used for packaging electronics). If you are not already going to Boulder otherwise, the block Styrofoam should be landfilled. 

Foam packing peanuts can be reused.

More information: The best way to handle Styrofoam is to not receive it in the first place. Contact the manufacturer of the item you received packed in foam and request they take their foam back or package their product in universally recyclable packaging, such as molded paperboard.

Ovens and other appliances such as stoves, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. If the appliance is in good condition, consider trading it in or selling it to a used appliance store. Fees may apply; contact specific location for details.

Office paper, colored paper, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, and other mixed paper can be included in your curbside recycling bin, or taken to drop-off locations listed below and placed in the mixed paper bin. 

Paper should be left flat in order to be properly sorted at the recycling plant.

Items ok to include in mixed paper:

• Staples
• Paperclips (although is better to remove them for reuse)
• Plastic windows in envelopes
• Stamps and other adhesive labels attached to the paper
• Construction paper
• Blueprints

Items NOT recyclable with mixed paper:

• Items smaller than a standard sticky note or business card
  • They will fall through the cracks at the sorting facility and not be recycled
• Sheets of unused labels on their plastic-coated paper
• Plastic-coated paper used for label backing
• Carbon paper
• Cartons for milk, juice

Gently used microwaves and other small appliances still in working condition can be donated to local thrift stores. Contact store for specific donation guidelines before dropping off.

Microwaves can also be recycled as scrap metal at drop-off locations listed below. Fees may apply, contact specific location for details. 

Trash cans made of metal can be recycled as scrap metal at local drop-off centers & scrap metal recyclers.

Metal coat hangers can be recycled as scrap metal at local drop-off centers & scrap metal recyclers.

Hangers should NOT be included in recycling as they can damage recycling sorting equipment.

Metal caps and lids, such as those that come on glass bottles and jars, can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin and at the drop-off locations listed below. 

When placed in a curbside recycling bin, be sure to separate the lid from the glass bottle or jar and put it into the bin loose. That ensures that the magnets at the recycling plant can collect them. 

If you are collecting material to take to a scrap metal dealer, you can collect metal bottle caps in a metal can before dropping off. Dropping off metal caps and lids to a scrap metal dealer is a more direct route to be recycled, as they do not need to be sorted out from other mixed recyclables before going to their final destination for recycling.  

Metal barrels can be recycled as scrap metal at local drop-off centers & scrap metal recyclers. Barrels must be empty of all contents.

Magazines can be included in your curbside recycling bin or at drop-off locations listed below.

Lawnmowers can be recycled as scrap metal at the drop-off locations listed below. They should be emptied of liquids before recycling.

An item must be at least 50% metal to be recycled as scrap metal. This includes a wide variety of items, including water heaters, lawnmowers, wire, satellite dishes, metal shelves and bicycles. Most any item with a motor or power cord has enough metal in it to be recycled as scrap metal. If an item has a circuit board, it must be recycled with electronics.

The only metals that are accepted in curbside recycling are aluminum and steel cans, and aluminum foil. Other scrap metals should never be included in curbside recycling, as they can damage recycling equipment at the sorting facility. They should instead be recycled at local scrap metal recyclers.

Appliances such as stoves, ovens, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. If the appliance is in good condition, consider trading it in or selling it to a used appliance store. Fees may apply; contact specific location for details.

Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and water coolers contain freon. State law requires freon be removed by an appropriately licensed company before disposal. See “Refrigerators” to see where these items can be properly recycled.

Large plastic kitty litter buckets can be recycled as bulky rigid plastics at the drop-off locations listed below. Contact specific drop off locations before visiting to verify if they can take a specific item. They should not be included in curbside recycling. 

Bulky rigid plastics describes plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE) or #5 (PP) in the chasing arrow symbol on them that are larger than what is acceptable in curbside recycling. This includes plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets, crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers.

Be sure to remove all metals, including handles, and other non-plastic items before recycling.

Brown crinkle paper, like that used for packing and gifts, 

Place shredded paper loose in the paper bins at the recycling drop-off centers listed below. 

Do NOT include shredded crinkle paper in your curbside recycle bin. The paper literally falls through the cracks in the machinery at the sorting facility, and will not be recycled

Hard cover books in gently used condition can be donated to libraries, Arc and Goodwill thrift stores, and other local programs for reuse. Many textbooks can be sold online.

Hard cover books not in useable condition can be recycled at the following drop-off locations (fees may apply). Do not put hard cover books in curbside recycling. If they can not be donated or dropped off elsewhere they should be thrown away in the trash. 

Paperback books can be recycled in curbside recycling.

Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown and green glass) are accepted in curbside recycling or at drop-off locations listed below.

Metal lids are also accepted in curbside or drop-off recycling, but should be placed in the bin separate from the glass.

Do NOT include window glass, aquariums, ceramics, light bulbs, drinking glasses, or Pyrex ovenware – those items are made of different materials that contaminate glass recycling.

Food scrap drop off at CHaRM only – no residential or commercial collection in Fort Collins

Extension cords in working condition can be donated to local thrift stores. Contact stores before donating to verify what they can accept.

Extension cords no longer in working condition can be recycled as scrap metal at drop off locations listed below.

Empty aerosol cans are accepted in curbside recycling or at the drop-off locations listed below.

Cans should be completely empty of all contents. Cans should not be crushed or flattened. Unused hazardous products such as spray paint or chemicals should not be in the trash or recycling; they should be disposed of at the Larimer County Hazardous Waste Facility.

Electronics in working condition can be donated to local thrift shops. Contact specific locations before donating. They can also be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees may apply; contact specific location before dropping off.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Dishwashers and other appliances such as stoves, ovens, washing machines, and dryers can be recycled as scrap metal at the drop-off locations listed below. If the appliance is in good condition, consider trading it in or selling it to a used appliance store. Fees may apply; contact specific location for details.

Used cooking oil and grease can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. Oil should be free of contaminants such as water or food scraps.

Do not put fats, oils, and grease down the drain.

Construction paper can be included in your curbside recycling bin, or in the mixed paper bin at the drop-off locations listed below.  No glitter or excessive amounts of non-paper materials should be attached to the construction paper.

Paper should be left flat in order to be properly sorted at the recycling plant.

Scraps of paper smaller than a business card or standard post-it note are unlikely to get recycled and should be thrown away in the trash. They will fall through the sorting equipment at the recycling sorting facility.

Computer towers can be recycled with other electronics at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees may apply – contact location for details.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Make sure to protect your sensitive information by erasing any data from electronics before recycling them. Some electronics recyclers also offer secure data destruction; contact locations to see if they offer this service.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Computer monitors can be recycled as ewaste at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees may apply – contact specific location for details.

Computer accessories can be recycled with other electronics at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees may apply – contact specific location for details.

Computer accessories include keyboards, computer mice, speakers, cables & other connectors, hard drives, and other computer peripherals. All of these items are considered electronic waste.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronic waste  in the trash as it contains toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Make sure to protect your sensitive information by erasing any data from electronics before recycling them. Some electronics recyclers also offer secure data destruction; contact locations to see if they offer this service.

Coffee grounds can be composted in backyard compost piles or collected by local food scraps compost service providers.

Coffee grounds and other food waste SHOULD NOT be put in recycling, as it will contaminate the recyclables, forcing them to be thrown away.

Many local thrift stores, charities, and donation boxes accept gently used clothing and fabrics for reuse. Contact specific locations for donation guidelines. If the items are not reusable (i.e. are torn, stained, or in bad condition) they should be thrown away.

DO NOT put clothing or fabric in recycling bins as it can damage equipment at the recycling sorting plant.

Strands of holiday lights can be recycled with scrap metal, even with bulbs attached. They can be brought to local scrap metal recyclers and drop-off locations listed below. Tie / bundle up the strands before recycling.

Holiday lights should not be in curbside recycling, as they can damage equipment at the recycling sorting plant.

Cell phones can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. Many retail stores, electronic, and cell phone stores also offer in-store recycling options. Fees may apply; contact specific location before dropping off.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

CD & DVD players and other media players in working condition can be donated to local thrift shops or can be recycled with other electronics at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees may apply; contact specific location before dropping off.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Cartons are accepted in curbside recycling or at drop-off locations listed below.

Recyclable cartons include juice boxes, milk cartons, soup cartons, soy milk cartons, etc. Cartons from refrigerated foods as well as shelf-stable foods can be recycled. Foil-lined cartons are ok to recycle.

Cartons must be empty and dry. To be properly sorted at the recycling plant, they should not be crushed or flattened. Plastic spouts on cartons do not need to be removed before recycling.

Ice cream cartons are lined with a different type of plastic can CANNOT be recycled.

Plastic containers that hold disinfectant wipes are accepted in curbside recycling or at drop-ff locations listed below if empty. Lids should be kept on before recycling.

Disinfectant wipes are NOT recyclable and should be thrown away in the trash.

Cardboard can be included in curbside recycling or delivered to the drop-off locations listed below. Boxes in good shape can be reused. Consider posting boxes on Craigslist and other social media sites for reuse.

It should be flattened before recycling. For curbside recycling, large cardboard should be cut down until it will fit loosely in the curbside bin. For drop-off, very large pieces should be cut to a maximum of 4’ x 4’.

Per a 2013 City ordinance, it is illegal to throw cardboard in the trash in Fort Collins. Non-recyclable cardboard is excluded from this requirement, such as waxed cardboard (used to ship bulk produce), or food-contaminated cardboard (such as heavily soiled/greasy pizza boxes). The non-recyclable cardboard should be composted or landfilled.

Cameras & camcorders in working condition can be donated to local thrift shops. Contact specific locations before donating. They can also be recycled along with other electronics at the drop-off locations listed below. Fees apply; contact specific location before dropping off.

In Colorado, it is illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash as they contain toxic components that are harmful to human health and the environment if not handled properly.

Bulky rigid plastics describes plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE), #5 (PP), or #4 (LDPE) in the chasing arrow symbol on them that are larger than what is acceptable in curbside recycling. This includes plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets, crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers.

These types of plastics can be recycled at the drop-off locations listed below. Be sure to remove all metals (e.g. screws, bolts, axles, bins, hinges, handles; etc.) and other non-plastic items before recycling.

Bulky rigid plastics DO NOT include: PVC pipe, foam of any kind, flower pots, inflatable pools or other inflatable plastics, water beds, chew toys, CD jewel cases or small toys such as action figures, etc.

If not listed here, contact drop off locations before visiting to verify if they can take a specific item.

Bubble wrap and air pillows can be reused. They can also be recycled at the drop off locations listed below along with plastic bags and plastic film.

Bubble wrap SHOULD NOT be included in curbside recycling as it can damage equipment at the recycling sorting plant. Large amounts of bubble wrap, air pillows, or other plastic packing materials can cause an entire load of recyclables to be thrown away.

Bicycle tubes can be recycled at the following drop-off locations. They SHOULD NOT be included in curbside recycling as they can damage equipment at the recycling sorting plant.

Used bicycles can often be repaired, donated to local thrift stores, or sold to local bike repair shops for refurbishment. Check with local stores and bike shops for donation options.

Bicycles that cannot be repaired can be recycled as scrap metal at local scrap metal recyclers, or at one of the drop-off locations listed below.

BBQ gas grills in working condition can be donated to local thrift stores. Contact store before donating to verify what they can accept.

Grills no longer in working condition can be recycled as scrap metal at drop off locations listed below.

Note that propane tanks are considered hazardous waste and may need to be recycled elsewhere.

Charcoal BBQ grills in working condition can be donated to local thrift stores. Contact stores before donating to verify what they can accept.

Grills no longer in working condition can be recycled as scrap metal at drop off locations listed below.

Many local retail stores and the drop-off locations listed below accept alkaline batteries free of cost. Contact specific location for details.

Since the late 1990s, alkaline batteries have no longer been manufactured using heavy metals, meaning they can be thrown away in the trash, although recycling is preferable. All other types of batteries are manufactured with heavy metals and must be recycled.

No matter whether a battery is rechargeable or not, it is safest to dispose of it as household hazardous waste. 

You can learn more about battery dangers, proper storage and recycling at Larimer County's battery recycling webpage. 

View the Battery Recycling Guide. 

View information about business hazardous waste disposal options. 

Many automotive parts can be recycled as scrap metal. Contact drop-off locations to find out if a specific part is accepted.

Automotive tires and batteries SHOULD NOT be placed in the trash or recycling. 

Amazon mailers can be reused. Amazon mailers completely made of plastic can be recycled at the drop off locations listed below along with plastic bags and plastic film. 

Other types of envelopes completely made of bubble wrap can also be recycled as plastic film.  However foil bubble mailers that are made of foil / reflective silver material are NOT recyclable and should be thrown away in the trash. They should never be put in plastic film bins or in curbside recycling. 

Envelopes made of Tyvek material or envelopes with paper on the outside and bubble wrap on the inside cannot be recycled and should be reused or thrown away in the trash. 

Aluminum take-out containers, if rinsed and reasonably clean, can be recycled in curbside recycling or at drop-off centers.

Aluminum take-out containers that are soiled with lots of food residue should be thrown away in the trash. 

Aluminum pie pans and other similar aluminum food containers can be accepted in curbside recycling or at the drop-off locations listed below.

Foil should mostly free of food waste or other contaminants.

Aluminum foil can be accepted in curbside recycling or at the drop-off locations listed below.

Foil should mostly free of food waste or other contaminants. Lightly crumple up the foil before recycling; do not flatten.

Aluminum cans are accepted in curbside recycling or at drop-off locations listed below.

Cans should be empty and dry. Cans should be recycled in their original shape (not crushed or flattened) so they can be properly sorted at the recycling plant.

Rinsed aluminum cans, foil, and aluminum food containers can be recycled in curbside recycling or at the drop-off locations listed below.

Aluminum cans should be recycled in their original shape. Aluminum foil should be loosely crumpled prior to recycling. All other aluminum (pans, etc.) should be recycled at local scrap metal recyclers.

Clean plastic flower pots labeled with a #2 can be recycled as bulky rigid plastics.

Paper insulation included in Sun Basket meal kit boxes are recyclable in your curbside recycling bin, or taken to drop-off locations listed below and placed into the mixed paper bin.

Insulation should be left whole.

Cords and cables in working condition can be donated to local thrift stores. Contact stores before donating to verify what they can accept.

Cords and cables no longer in working condition can be recycled as scrap metal at drop off locations listed below.