Day 6: How to Recycle Almost Anything
If you’re anything like me, you hold onto things you don’t need anymore because you KNOW there’s got to be a better home for them than the landfill.
Good news, often there is!
Nude Foods Market (3233 Walnut Street) takes a few things. Then there is a magical place called The CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials.)
This post is focused specifically on Boulder’s recycling capabilities and every town is different so please research where to recycle each of these materials wherever you live : ) I’ve done some research into what Denver’s recycling capabilities are so this is by no means a comprehensive list!
HERE is an up to date list of what CHaRM accepts. Find the CHaRM at 6400 Arapahoe Road in Boulder and HERE is the price list.
For Denver, I recommend checking out this comprehensive Denver.gov list. If you scroll to the bottom, there is Waste Directory where you search specifics, from Christmas trees to electronics to mattresses, etc.
The list below is NOT always going to contain the most up to date information so is designed to inspire you about all the things you can recycle rather than be taken as gospel. Please check the links above to confirm what is accepted and what the prices are.
| WHAT? | Boulder | Denver |
| Candy Wrappers (During November only) | Bring them to Nude Foods Market at 3233 Walnut Street in November! We send them off to Terracycle | Will be available at Nude Foods Denver once it opens! |
| Batteries | Ridwell / The Happy Beetle | Ridwell / The Happy Beetle; The Alliance Center |
| Mailers (like Amazon envelopes) | Nude Foods Market | |
| Electronics | Take to CHaRM. | The Alliance Center: Cords, laptops, anything smaller than a laptop. Denver Solid Waste Management offers Denver residents an “E-cycle Coupon” for recycling televisions, monitors, and other electronic items at a significantly discounted rate |
| Plastic Appliances | Charm. NO vacuum bags, glass (coffee pots, blender carafes, etc.), or food/ liquid residue. | |
| Scrap Metal | CHaRM. ITEMS AT LEAST 50% METAL, INCLUDING APPLIANCES | Rocky Montain Recycling |
| Paper Shredding Service | CHARM. Paper materials only | |
| Glassware | RESOURCE / CHaRM | |
| Plastic Bags, Plastic Bubble Wrap & Foam Packing Sheets | CHaRM
PLASTIC BAGS, PLASTIC BUBBLE WRAP & FOAM PACKING SHEETS NO moisture, receipts, or food waste inside bags, biodegradable plastic, tape or packing peanuts |
The Alliance Center: Shrink wrap, saran wrap, ziplock bags, bread bags, tortilla chip bags (not foiled lined), cereal bags, six pack rings, flower bouquet wrapping, breast milk bags, boxed wine bags (no cap), etc. |
| #6 White Block Foam | CHaRM
• #6 White block foam packaging and rigid foam insulation only |
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| Big Durable #2 Plastics, including plastic lawn furniture!!!! | CHaRM
• Large plastics marked with a #2 such as plastic play structures, plastic watering cans, clean #2 plastic buckets (no residue), clean plastic barrels, crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools, and plastic trash containers with a #2. Please remove non-plastic parts. Metal handles on buckets are OK. NO inflatable pools or other inflatable plastics, flower pots without a #2, water beds, chew toys, CD jewel cases, small toys such as action figures, etc. Please cut if necessary so no larger than 3’ in any dimension. |
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| Mattresses and Box Springs (all sizes) | CHaRM | Spring Back Colorado Mattress Recycling |
| Bicycles and Bike Parts | If they’re in working order, take them to Community Cycles. Otherwise take to CHaRM. • Any condition • Includes integral parts such as seats, pedals, etc., and metal accessories such as baskets and Pannier racks. |
Try Bikes Together. |
| Books and Manuals | Donate to Boulder Public Library. CHaRM • Computer and office manuals, hard-bound books, paperbacks | Denver Public Library |
| Concrete | • Must be clean. No metal or rocks accepted. | |
| Cooking Oil | NO motor oil or any oil used for purposes other than cooking. | |
| Fire Extinguishers | CHaRM / Resource | |
| Porcelain Toilets, Sinks and Urinals | CHaRM / Resource | ReStore |
| Reusable Shoes and Textiles | CHaRM • Paired, reusable shoes (no mud) • Clothing, sheets, blankets, towels and fabrics Items may be stained or ripped, but must be clean. Must be 12” square or larger. NO bathing suits, socks, underwear, curtains, or pillows. Also checkout For Days take-bake program |
Check out ForDays take-back program! |
| Yoga Mats | CHaRM | |
| Hygiene and beauty products | The Alliance Center Examples: Deodorant, contact lens containers, make up, razors, lotions, lip stick, oxygen absorbers, perfume containers, loofahs, wet wipe containers, tooth brushes, birth control packets, hand soap dispensers, hair brushes, etc. Note: All items must be empty. |
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| Baby/toddler clothing, gear, toys | WeeCycle | WeeCycle |
Challenge 6:
Go dig out those things you’ve been holding onto because you were sure there was a better place for them and take them to The CHaRM TODAY!!! 6400 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder. Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm.
If you live outside Boulder/Denver, do some research and find a similar center in your area.
Please also double check all these details as CHaRM / Resource sometimes changes fees / what they accept.