Public Works Department
Environmental Services

Household Hazardous Waste

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.

Residents should call the HHW's 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 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.

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 flows in the storm drains 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.

What should I do with my Latex 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 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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What should I do with my Household Batteries?

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.

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 Fall 2009!

Guidelines:  Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event:

• This collection is provided to Broomfield residents by appointment only. Call 303-438-6336 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.   If possible, any individual leaking container should be placed in its own clear plastic Ziploc type bag or plastic bucket.

These are things you can bring!

          Please D0 N0T bring any of these!