Public Works Department
Environmental Services |
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Household Hazardous Waste |
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Latex Paint Disposal |
Battery Disposal |
CFL's
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Broomfield residents have two options for disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). The City and County of
Broomfield hosts two one-day drop-off events each year--one in the spring and one in the fall.
Broomfield residents are also welcome to use the year-round permanent drop off facility in Boulder. Through an
intergovernmental agreement with the communities in the region, Boulder County operates the HHW Program.
The public drop-off facility is open to all Boulder and Broomfield County residents at the Western Disposal Services
waste transfer station, 5880 Butte Mill Road, Boulder. The facility is regularly open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on
Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays and Saturdays. Reusable products are also available to the public during
operating hours on Wednesdays.
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Residents should call the HHW facility’s hotline at 303.441.4800 for closure information before delivering any
waste. The outdoor nature of the collection facility also results in occasional closures due to extreme temperatures, rain,
snow, high winds, or lightening storms.
More information on the Household Hazardous Waste Program is available at www.bouldercountyrecycles.net, or by calling the HHW Hotline at 303.441.4800,
or the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division at 720.564.2220.
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What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Many products used in the home, garage, and garden contain hazardous ingredients and need to be used and stored safely.
These products include non-water-based paint, stain and varnish, motor oil, cleaning solvents, pesticides, weed
killers, antifreeze, rechargeable batteries, gasoline, aerosol cans, waxes and wood preservative. Once these products are no
longer needed, they become household hazardous wastes (HHW) that require proper disposal.
It makes sense to collect HHW separately, thus keeping it out of landfills. This keeps garbage collectors and landfill
workers from being injured by exploding cans, splashed chemicals, fumes or fires created by mixed chemicals. It enables
some of the wastes to be recycled or used as energy-saving fuel. HHW should never be poured onto the ground or down the
gutter because it will wash into the storm drains. Water in the storm drains
flows directly into the streams, and
this can result in the pollution of surface water, groundwater, and wildlife habitat. Such wastes should not be flushed
into septic systems or into the sewer drains because this may kill the active bacteria in the wastewater processes.
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Save yourself a trip to the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off by drying out or solidifying your spoiled latex paint and
disposing of it with your regular trash. Latex paint is not hazardous and, once solidified, can be safely sent for
landfill disposal. Here are some helpful tips for drying out paint (downloadable
brochure):
- For cans almost empty: Remove the lid and allow the paint to dry. You may need to mix it up to be sure it dries all the way through.
This works well for small quantities and can take several days.
- For cans half full: Mix an equal amount of absorbent material (kitty litter, sawdust, newspaper or vermiculite) into
the paint, mix well and allow it to dry. Paint hardening products can also be purchased at the hardware stores.
Once there is no free running liquid, you can dispose of the cans with your trash.
- For full cans that have soured: Line a cardboard box with a sturdy plastic bag free of holes. Pour the
absorbent material into the box; slowly mix the paint into the absorbent. Once completely dry, dispose of the bag with
your regular trash
Once the paint is completely solidified and dry, it can be thrown away with your regular, household trash.
Be sure and leave the lids off so your waste hauler knows the can is dried-out. If the lids are left on, your waste
hauler will not take it.
The HHW program spends thousands of taxpayer dollars each year on disposing latex paint. In an effort to reduce program
costs, we ask you to consider another option before bringing latex paint to the HHW Day. The HHW program will continue
to accept latex paint if you are unable to dry it out.
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Alkaline Batteries come in many sizes and are commonly referred to as disposable or single-use batteries.
Since the early 1990’s, manufacturers stopped adding mercury and cadmium to alkaline batteries, making them safe for
landfill disposal. The majority of alkaline batteries are non-hazardous and can be safely disposed with household
garbage. Alkaline batteries that are more than 15 years old should be brought to the HHW Day.
(downloadable brochure)
Button batteries often contain metals and other hazardous ingredients and should be returned to the manufacturer when
purchasing a new battery. Many shops that replace watch and hearing aid batteries accept your batteries for recycling
at no charge. You may also bring your button batteries to the HHW Day.
Lithium batteries contain lithium metal compounds and should be recycled. Again, exchange lithium batteries at the
time of replacement purchase or deliver them on HHW Day.
Rechargeable batteries are environmentally preferable because they last longer and can be easily recycled. However,
they contain metals and other hazardous ingredients and should NOT be disposed of with household trash. Exchange them
at the time of replacement purchase or deliver them on HHW Day. Some rechargeable batteries look like alkaline batteries.
However, they contain Nickel and Cadmium and should be recycled. If in doubt, bring them to the HHW Day.
Car/Motorcycle batteries contain lead and acid and must be recycled. Most businesses require a trade-in when you
purchase a new battery, or you will be assessed a fee (core charge). Trade in your old lead-acid battery at the time of
purchase (or return your old battery to the retailer for a refund of the core charge). Lead-acid batteries can pose
serious dangers if disposed of with the household trash and should not enter the landfill. They may also be delivered
to the HHW Day.
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Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL's) contain a small amount of mercury and therefore should not be disposed of in your
household trash. Please dispose of these as you would other Household Hazardous Waste materials, either at Broomfield's
Household Hazardous Waste events scheduled in early May or early October each year, or at the Boulder Household Hazardous
Waste facility.
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Tips to help reduce the amount of HHW generated:
READ LABELS: Read and follow directions carefully!
THINK SMALL: Use the correct amount of product recommended. For example with pesticide use, twice as much is not
twice as effective and may be twice as toxic!
NON-TOXIC ALTERNATIVES: Purchase the least toxic product available. Danger, Caution, Warning, Harmful, Poison,
Toxic, Corrosive, Volatile, Flammable, Inflammable, Combustible or Explosive—these words should alert you to the hazardous
nature of the product. Choose water-based products over solvent-based ones. Avoid aerosols if you can. Avoid products
containing chlorinated compounds, petroleum distillates, phenols and formaldehyde.
STORE PROPERLY: Always store products in their original containers with labels. Store unsafe products away from
small children and pets.
DON’T MIX: Some household products, when mixed, can form dangerous fumes or may become explosive. Never mix
anything with products containing chlorine or ammonia.
PLAN AHEAD: Buy only what you need to avoid or minimize waste. Don’t be tempted to buy a gallon if you only need
a cup. Think about how you are going to dispose of any materials you have left over. Give leftover products to a responsible
neighbor or friend who can use it up rather than throwing it out.
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Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event
  
Next Event Planned for Saturday, May 8!
- This collection is provided to Broomfield residents by appointment only. Call 303.438.6334 to schedule an
appointment.
- This collection is for household waste only.
- Participants will be required to show proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill or City Employee I.D.) and
sign a certification that the waste they are leaving is household waste only.
- By law, the City CANNOT ACCEPT WASTE FROM BUSINESS, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, OR AGRICULTURAL SOURCES.
- Materials should be delivered for drop-off in their original labeled containers. Materials should be safely
transported in a secondary container such as a cardboard box. Please do not place items in a trash bag where containers
may break and allow chemicals that may not be compatible to mix. Any individual leaking
container should be placed in its own clear plastic Ziploc type bag or
a plastic bucket with a lid.
- No containers larger than 5-gallons will be accepted.
- A maximum
of five computer units will be accepted from one household.
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These are things you can bring!
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Now accepting the following ELECTRONICS for Recycling!
- Cell Phones
- Phones
- TVs
- VCRs
- Computers/Laptops
- Monitors, keyboards
- Fax machines
- Palm Pilots
- Printers
- Radios
- Stereos
AUTO PRODUCTS:
- Antifreeze
- Auto body filler
- Batteries (car &motorcycle)
- Brake fluid
- Car cleaners, waxes, polishes
- Carburetor cleaner
- Diesel fuel
- Engine degreaser
- Gasoline
- Kerosene or lamp oil
- Radiator flushes
- Transmission fluid
- Used or unused motor oil
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HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS:
- Abrasive cleaners
- Aerosols
- Ammonia-based cleaners
- Batteries-rechargeable
- Bleach cleaners
- Degreasers
- Deodorizers
- Disinfectants
- Floor cleaners and wax
- Fluorescent lamp ballasts
- Furniture polishes
- Laundry products
- Moth balls
- Mercury switches
- Mercury thermometers
- Oven cleaners
- Pool chemicals
- Rug & upholstery cleaners
- Rust & spot removers
- Silver cleaners
- Toilet & drain cleaners
GARDEN PRODUCTS:
- Fertilizers
- Fungicides, Herbicides
- Insecticides
- Pesticides
- Roach & ant killers
- Rodent poisons
- Weed killers
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PAINTS, HOBBY AND PET PRODUCTS:
- Caulks, glues and cements
- Chemistry sets
- Flea powder & collars
- Flea sprays & shampoos
- Lacquers & stains
- Mineral spirits
- Water and oil based paints
- Paint remover and stripper
- Paint thinners
- Turpentine
- Model airplane paints and glue
- Photographic chemicals and solutions
- Resins, fiberglass and epoxy
- Rubber cement thinner
- Rust proofing
- Small green propane bottles
- Varnishes
- White gas (camping stove fuel)
- Wood preservatives
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Please D0 N0T bring any of these!
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Material |
Advice for Disposal |
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EMPTY containers including those containing dried out latex or water-based products) |
Dispose of with regular trash. Empty steel paint cans can be recycled with other metals at
the Boulder County Recycling Drop-off Center, 1901 63rd Street, Boulder.
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| Non-hazardous wastes |
Dispose of with regular trash |
| Gas, diesel, or electric-powered motors, engine blocks, or other automotive components |
Contact a scrap metal processor or auto salvage
yard. |
| Business, industrial and agricultural wastes |
Boulder County's household hazardous waste facility is only able to accept household
wastes. All business or industrial operations are responsible for correctly disposing or recycling of
any hazardous wastes in accordance with State and Federal regulations. Contact companies that provide hazardous
waste collection and disposal services listed in the phone book yellow pages under “Waste Disposal – Hazardous”
or "Environmental and Ecological Services.” Also contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and the
Environment 303.692.3300 for information on hazardous waste generator requirements. Contact Boulder County Health
Department 303.441.1147 for advice on reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and pollution prevention. |
| Prescription drugs or Infectious or medical wastes |
Old prescription drugs and all medical wastes require special handling and disposal. If
prescription drugs are pills or capsules, remove the label from the original container. Fill
the container with
school glue and roll around until all contents are fully covered and encapsulated. Allow to dry to complete solid,
then throw in the regular garbage. If the drug is a liquid, add flour to solidify. Once completely dry, remove
label and throw in garbage. Contact the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment, Solid Waste Section,
for more information at 303.692.3437 or 303.692.3445 |
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Fire extinguishers and pressurized gas grill propane tanks |
Contact fire extinguisher dealers or propane supply companies in the yellow pages of the
phone book. |
| Smoke Detectors (many contain small amounts of radioactive material) |
Individual households can dispose of smoke detectors with their regular trash. Multiple housing
units and businesses must use radioactive disposal contractors. |
| Other radioactive products and materials |
Call the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and the Environment, Radiation Control Division at
303.692.3030. |
| Asbestos insulation and large quantities of asbestos tile and linoleum |
Asbestos fibers are dangerous if inhaled. Never attempt to remove products that may contain
asbestos such as insulation materials, floor tiles and linoleum. Consult with a certified asbestos removal
contractor, or call Boulder County Health Dept. for more information 303.441.1147. |
| Ammunition, fireworks, road flares |
Unwanted ammunition may be turned in to the
Broomfield Police Department; please contact 303.438.6400. Road
flares and fireworks should be turned in to the North Metro Fire
Department; please contact 303.452.9910. |
| Explosive or shock sensitive wastes |
Call 911 if you have any explosives or
shock-sensitive materials. Do not move or handle these items. |
| Latex water-based paint |
Save yourself a trip to the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off by drying out or solidifying
your spoiled latex paint and disposing of it with your regular trash. Latex paint is not hazardous and,
once solidified, can be safely sent for landfill disposal. Here are some helpful tips for drying out paint:
- For cans almost empty: Remove the lid and allow the paint to dry. You may need to mix it up to be sure
it dries all the way through. This works well for small quantities and can take several days.
- For cans half full: Mix an equal amount of absorbent material kitty litter, sawdust, newspaper or vermiculite)
into the paint, mix well and allow it to dry. Paint hardening products can also be purchased at the hardware
stores. Once there is no free running liquid you can dispose of the cans with your trash.
- For full cans that have soured: Line a cardboard box with a sturdy plastic bag free of holes. Pour the absorbent material into the box; slowly mix the paint into the absorbent. Once completely
dry, dispose of the bag with your regular trash
Once the paint is completely solidified and dry, it can be thrown away with your regular, household trash.
Be sure to leave the lids off so your waste hauler knows the can is dried out. If the lids are left on,
your waste hauler will not take it.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS!
*Never mix different chemicals.
*Leave waste products in their original containers.
*Do not transport wastes in the same part of your vehicle as children or pets.
*If the original container is leaking or damaged, place the entire container in a larger container such as a clear
Ziploc bag or plastic bucket. Never place leaking items together in a trash bag--they may not be chemically compatible!
*Separate different types of waste, such as paints, motor oil, batteries, pesticides, acids, etc.
*Don’t eat, drink or smoke while handling household hazardous wastes.
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If you have additional questions or need more information, please call Shirley Garcia at 303.438.6329 (email
sgarcia@broomfield.org) or the Boulder County HHW Program (please call
Rick Green at 720.564.2220). |
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