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 in Boulder, 3835 W 44th Ave in Denver) takes a few things: film plastic, batteries, and candy wrappers at Halloween.
This post is focused specifically on Boulder and Denver’s recycling capabilities and every town is different so please research where to recycle each of these materials wherever you live if you’re doing this challenge in a different area 
Boulder County has a magical place called The CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials.) 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, the Hard to Recycle station at the Alliance Center takes many items, SustainAbility in Arvada takes a ton of items and even has a reuse center (plus they have locations in Westminster and Broomfield, but they have a more limited list of what’s accepted there), and BlueStar Recyclers takes many electronics and appliances.
You can also look at 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. You can also use this document for hard to recycle items.
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.
Boulder County has a magical place called The CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials.) 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, the Hard to Recycle station at the Alliance Center takes many items, SustainAbility in Arvada takes a ton of items and even has a reuse center (plus they have locations in Westminster and Broomfield, but they have a more limited list of what’s accepted there), and BlueStar Recyclers takes many electronics and appliances.
You can also look at 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. You can also use this document for hard to recycle items.
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 Ridwell | Bring them to Nude Foods Market at 3538 W 44th Ave in November! We send them off to Ridwell |
| Batteries | Ridwell / The Happy Beetle | Ridwell / The Happy Beetle; The Alliance Center |
| Mailers (like Amazon envelopes) | Nude Foods Market | 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. | The City of Denver recycles appliances for free by appointment: Stoves/ovens, hot water heaters, furnaces, dishwashers, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washers & dryers |
| Scrap Metal | CHaRM. ITEMS AT LEAST 50% METAL, INCLUDING APPLIANCES | Rocky Mountain Recycling |
| Paper Shredding Service | CHARM. Paper materials only | DocuVault Secure Shredding Co (they recycle paper AND employ people with disabilities) |
| Glassware | RESOURCE / CHaRM | Recycle with your normal Denver recycling pickup, can also donate to Habitat for Humanity |
| Plastic Bags, Plastic Bubble Wrap & Foam Packing Sheets | CHaRM PLASTIC BAGS, PLASTIC BUBBLE WRAP & FOAM PACKING SHEETS • All accepted in the same bin. • Thin, bendable, translucent foam packing sheets only. See photos of packing sheets accepted at ecocycle.org/charm • Includes plastic shopping, newspaper & ziplock bags • Must be clean, dry and empty 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 • Businesses: $6 per cubic yard* NO packing peanuts, Styrofoam® cups or “to-go” boxes, moisture or tape | Sustainability Recycling in Broomfield, Arvada |
| 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. | |
| 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. | Sustainability Recycling in Arvada (veg oil, 5 gallon limit) |
| 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! Sustainability Recycling in Arvada |
| 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. | |
| 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.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 | Rockwell / The Happy Beetle | Rockwell / The Happy Beetle; The Alliance Center |
| Mailers (like Amazon envelopes) | Nude Foods Market | Nude Foods Market |
| Electronics | Take to CHaRM. | The Alliance Center accepts items 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 jars, etc.), or food/liquid residue. | |
| Scrap Metal | CHaRM. ITEMS AT LEAST 50% METAL, INCLUDING APPLIANCES | Rocky Mountain Recycling |
| Paper Shredding | CHaRM. Paper materials only | |
| Glassware | RESOURCE / CHaRM | |
| Plastic Bags, Plastic Bubble Wrap & Foam Packing Sheets | CHaRM PLASTIC BAGS, PLASTIC BUBBLE WRAP & FOAM PACKING SHEETS | The Alliance Center: Shrink wrap, saran wrap, ziplock bags, bread bags, tortilla bags (not foiled lined), produce bags, newspaper bags, bouquet wrapping, bread milk bags, boxed wine bags (no cap), etc. |
| #6 White Block Foam | CHaRM • #6 white block foam packaging and rigid foam insulation only • Businesses: $6 per cubic yard* NO packing peanuts, Styrofoam® cups or “to-go” boxes, moisture or tape | |
| 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 furniture marked with a #2. Please remove non-plastic parts. Metal handles on buckets 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 to no larger than 4’x4′ dimensions. | |
| 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 storage 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, towels, 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 Oxi’s 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, bodiba, wet wipe containers, tooth brushes, birth control packets, hand soap containers, face washes, etc. Note: All items must be empty. | |
| 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.
