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Recycling and Waste Diversion
As outlined in the Sustainable Adams County 2030 Plan, Adams County is committed to reducing landfilled waste. The Environmental Programs Division team supports this commitment through the following strategies:
- Ensuring all residents and businesses in unincorporated areas have access to recycling
Providing information and resources on waste diversion and recycling
- Delivering cost-effective and convenient options to residents for hard-to-recycle items
For questions and information about recycling resources in Adams County, please contact:
Katie Keefe
Environmental Programs Manager
720.523.6986
Email
| Household Recycling | Hard-to-Recycle Materials | Business Recycling |
Recycling
Curbside recycling is available to residents and businesses of unincorporated Adams County. Contact your trash collection provider to find out about costs, ask questions about what is recyclable, or to sign up for recycling service. At a minimum, recycling providers are required to accept the materials included on the Minimum Recyclables List, such as aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, food and beverage cartons, corrugated cardboard, empty aerosol cans, magazines, catalogues, mail, newspaper, office paper, paperboard (chipboard) and plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs labeled with resin identification #1, #2.
Solid waste haulers operating in unincorporated Adams County must be licensed and comply with County regulations.
Click here for a list of licensed solid waste haulers.
Not sure if you’re in unincorporated Adams County? Use this map to find out. The boundary of Adams County is indicated on the map and incorporated cities and towns are shaded with different colors. All other areas (areas without color shading) are unincorporated areas. If your residence or home is located within an incorporated (shaded) area, please contact your municipality for recycling service information.
Electronics Recycling
Adams County hosts periodic electronics recycling events for residents of unincorporated Adams County.
An upcoming event on April 27, 2024 is open to residents of Adams County and the City of Thornton. Pre-registration is required.
Date: April 27, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Guidelines: Residents may bring items such as laptops, DVD players, phones, printers, televisions, computer monitors, and other electronics in for recycling. There will be a fee of $15 per vehicle for all electronics up to one TV or computer monitor. A $25 fee will be assessed for each vehicle carrying up to three TV’s and/or computer monitors.
Click here to register for this event
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Adams County is partnering with Techno Rescue to host several electronics recycling ‘Drop-off Days’ in the fall that are open to Adams County residents.
Dates: Weekdays: September 16 – October 4; Saturdays: September 21 & September 28
Times: Weekdays: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Guidelines: Residents can drop off electronic waste including computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones, televisions, computer monitors, hard drives, DVD players, scanners, printers, and radios. A fee of $15 per vehicle will be charged for all electronics up to one TV or computer monitor. A $25 fee will be assessed for each vehicle carrying up to three TV’s and/or computer monitors.
Eligible residents must register to participate. Online registration will be available starting 6 weeks prior to the event.
Household Hazardous Waste & Paint
A new HHW Drop-Off Voucher Program available to residents of Unincorporated Adams County, Bennett, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn and Thornton makes disposing of HHW at the Veolia Recycling Center even more convenient for residents. Each household can receive one (1) HHW Drop-Off Voucher that can be redeemed at the Veolia HHW Recycling Center located at 9131 E. 96th Ave in Henderson, CO.
Key Details:
• Drop-off is by appointment only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Vouchers are valid April 3rd through November 30th.
• Vouchers cover the $27 facility fee only. Residents pay the per pound fee at the time of drop-off.
• Only one voucher per household per year.
• Vouchers are only accepted at the Veolia Recycling Center.
Follow these steps to utilize the HHW Voucher Program:
- Complete this online form to receive your 2024 Voucher. The HHW Voucher will be sent to the email address provided in the online form.
- Schedule your appointment online or by calling 303-526-8155.
- Print your unique HHW Voucher and bring it with you to your drop-off appointment. You will be asked to provide your HHW Voucher to a Veolia attendant when you arrive.
Paint Recycling
Colorado’s PaintCare program makes it easy and convenient to recycle unwanted and/or leftover paint, primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. A searchable database of drop-off locations in Adams County can be found here.
Yard & Food Waste
Organic materials comprise nearly 38% of the material sent to landfills in Colorado. Once food scraps, grass clippings, and other organic materials are placed in the landfill, they break down anaerobically (without the presence of oxygen) and generate a potent greenhouse gas knowns as methane. Reducing food waste and limiting the amount of yard debris that ends up in the landfill are two great ways that Adams County residents can reduce their environmental impacts. Here are some potential options for composting:
Prevent Food Waste
Roughly one third of all food in the US goes uneaten. Preventing food waste in the first place is the number one way to keep valuable food out of Colorado Landfills.
Curbside Compost Collection Service
Compost collection service for food scraps and/or yard debris may be available at your home. Click here for a list of solid waste haulers licensed to operate in unincorporated Adams County.
Backyard Composting
Creating space for composting at home can is an effective way to reduce the amount of yard and food waste your household sends to the landfill. Many resources are available to help guide new composters.
Worm Composting (Vermicomposting)
For those without outdoor space to compost, indoor composting using red wiggler worms can be a fun and practical way to achieve similar waste reduction impacts. Vermicomposting systems can be established with homemade bins or commercially available containers.
Other
Medications including over-the-counter and prescription pills should be safely disposed of when they are no longer needed. To protect people and the environment, medications should not be flushed down the drain or put in the trash.
Colorado Household Medication Takeback Program (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment)
Needles and other ‘sharps’ should be safely disposed of once used and should never be placed in the recycling.
Colorado Household Sharps Takeback Program (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment)
Tires are prohibited from landfill disposal in Colorado. Most automotive tire businesses will accept tires for a small fee and some municipalities periodically host tire collection events.
Businesses
Curbside recycling is available to all residents and businesses of unincorporated Adams County. Contact any trash collection provider serving unincorporated Adams County to find out about costs, ask questions about what is recyclable, or to sign up for recycling service. At a minimum, recycling providers are required to accept the materials included on the Minimum Recyclables List, such as aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, food and beverage cartons, corrugated cardboard, empty aerosol cans, magazines, catalogues, mail, newspaper, office paper, paperboard (chipboard) and plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs labeled with resin identification #1, #2.
Solid waste haulers operating in unincorporated Adams County must be licensed and comply with County regulations.
Click here for a list of licensed solid waste haulers
Not sure if your business is in unincorporated Adams County? Use this map to find out. The boundary of Adams County is indicated on the map and incorporated cities and towns are shaded with different colors. All other areas (areas without color shading) are unincorporated areas.
If your business is located within an incorporated (shaded) area, please contact your municipality for recycling service information.
Looking for more business-related sustainability resources? Check out the Colorado Green Business Network.
