Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
In Colorado we are fortunate to have many options for reuse and recycling items that cannot go into the City & County of Denver’s purple carts. Here is good information and resources on how to donate and recycle items you never thought could have a second life.
EcoCycle/CHaRM
https://ecocycle.org/services-and-facilities/charm/
The Eco-Cycle Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM) currently diverts twenty-five (and counting!) categories of hard-to-recycle materials from the landfill. A first-of-its-kind facility in Boulder accepting electronics, appliances, hard-to-recycle plastics, and more for recycling and reuse. Items accepted include scrap metal, small plastic appliances, freon appliances, printer cartridges, cables and wire, smoke detectors, solar panels, Styrofoam, books, paper shredding, ceramics, bikes and parts, glassware, vegetable oil, reusable clothing and shoes and more. Check their website for details. Email them at recycle@ecocycle.org. (303) 444-6634. 6400 Arapahoe Rd.
Boulder, CO 80303.
Blue Star Recyclers
www.bluestarrecyclers.com
Nonprofit that creates jobs for people with autism and other disabilities through recycling electronics for a small fee. They are certified at the highest environmental standards for e-recycling. They accept all computers and computer equipment including printers, all TVs and monitors, VCRs, DVD, stereos, consoles, small appliances such as microwaves, coffeemakers, toasters, lamps, vacuum cleaners, all wire and connectors, alkaline and rechargeable batteries, fluorescent bulbs. (303-534-1667, 953 Decatur Street, Denver).
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver
https://habitatmetrodenver.org/restore/donate/
Donate or pickup
Appliances, furniture, lighting and electrical, mirrors, roofing, tools, cabinets, flooring, heating and cooling, landscaping, lumber and trim, plumbing, plywood etc. All dropped off donation items must be approved by the store staff at our donation docks.
Springback Colorado
www.springbackco.org
Did you know that between 20 and 40 million mattresses end up in the landfill each year? Springback Colorado picks up and recycles mattresses while employing disenfranchised workers: (720-515-1328).
PaintCare
www.paintcare.org
PaintCare is funded by a fee paid by paint manufacturers for each can of paint they sell in Colorado. The paint is remixed into recycled paint, used as fuel, made into other products or properly disposed. For drop-off sites go to www.paintcare.org or call 855-724-6809.
Recreative Denver
https://www.recreativedenver.org/donate-your-stuff
ReCreative diverts materials that are destined for landfills by collecting and re-distributing them to people who can use it for education, art, and inspiration. Their business is repurposing your leftover art and craft supplies. They do offer receipts for your tax-deductible donations. (720) 638-3128. ReCreative has a bricks and mortar store at 765 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO.
Clothing:
Did you know that textiles are the second most polluting industry on earth behind only oil and gas? Currently, 85% of clothing is thrown out. Every clothing item donated saves 7 pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere and 2,700 liters of water.
Assistance League of Denver Thrift Shop
https://www.assistanceleague.org/denver/thrift-mart/
“Gently used” clothing items that are in good shape. 6265 E. Evans Avenue, Suite 8
Denver, CO 80222 (720) 638-3650 Ext. 2. The Assistance Leage also has a Hospital Equipment Lending Program (HELP), you can make an appointment to pick up or return equipment at 720-598-6126 or emailingus at aldenverhelp@gmail.com. You can also donate equipment you might have. Here is the list of what they take.
The Gathering Place
https://tgpdenver.org/donate/donate-new-and-used-items.html
They accept new and gently used adult clothing that is seasonally appropriate. Because most of our members get jobs in the service and labor industries, we prioritize comfortable casualwear such as jeans, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. Their Clothing Donation Acceptance Day takes place on the first Wednesday of every month from 11AM until 5PM. They particularly need sports bras, bras, plus size clothing, tennis shoes, close-toed shoes. They also need baby formula, diapers, baby wipes, and other hygiene items. Additionally they accept non-perishable food and some household items. Please visit their site for specifics. 1535 High Street, Denver. 303-996-9076.
ARC Thrift Stores
www.arcthrift.com/donation/schedule-donation-2
A non-profit organization dedicated to individuals living with intellectual/ developmental disabilities. They accept donations of any clothing, household goods, furniture, sporting goods and small electronic appliances in good working order. When the quality isn’t high enough for US consumers, ARC bundles the clothes and sells garments abroad where there is still value for many of these items. To schedule a curb side pick-up, please call 303-238-5263 or visit the website: www.arcthrift.com/donation/schedule-donation-2.html.
Dress for Success
https://denver.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/
No items older than five years, interview appropriate business suits and blouses, business separates including skirts, dresses, blazers, slacks and jackets, work appropriate shoes, Jewelry, scarves, and belts, work appropriate handbags, purses, briefcases or portfolios. University Hills Plaza- 2594 South Colorado Blvd Denver, CO 80222
Soles4Souls
https://soles4souls.org/
Soles4Souls helps get new shoes and clothing to people in crisis situations, freeing up financial resources they can use toward other needs. You can drop off shoes at Orangetheory Fitness – Lowry for this organization. 200 Quebec St. Bldg. 700, Unit 101, Denver, 303-366-3311. There are other drop-off locations, this is the one in our neighborhood!
Other Items:
Dream Books
https://www.dreambooksco.com/recycling
With multiple drop-off locations, free pick-up service, and services for larger collections, doing your part in keeping books out of landfills couldn’t be easier. They schedule pick-ups for both old books and new. We can help remove thousands of books.
Terracycle
www.terracycle.com
Terracycle is an innovative recycling company that recycles the most difficult items including candy wrappers and drink pouches. You pay a fee to have a box for specific items sent to your house. The fee includes the cost of mailing the box back to Terracycle once you have filled it. We encourage you to share the box and cost with neighbors! If you are a business or community group, they do have some free programs sponsored by brand names that need public drop-off sites. See their website for details. Joyfill is a partner with Terracycle; see the listing below.
Joyfill
https://www.joyfill.co/recycling-program
In alignment with our core values, we have rotating recycling programs in their shop. Simply bring in your cleaned recyclables and drop them off in our designated Terracycle boxes. They are at no cost to Joyfill and no cost to you. Currently, they are accepting razors and razor systems https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/gillette#@40.77027075200147:-95.93705549677736zoom:4, dental care items, https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/colgate#@37.09024:-95.712891zoom:4 , and other items.
WeeCycle
https://weecycle.org/gear-donations/
WeeCycle matches your donations of essential infant and toddler gear with families in need throughout Colorado. They distribute your donations to the families who need it most through their network of community-based Partner Organizations. Please ensure that your donations are in excellent condition. Their warehouse for their collection events is in Aurora at 20 S. Havana St., Suite 210. They also take car seats.
SustainAbility
https://www.sustainability-recycling.com/hard-to-recycle
This company takes many items that CHaRM takes and like CHaRM they charge a small fee. They do take some different kind of materials, especially at their Arvada drop off station including candle wax, canned pet food, books, cameras (digital and film), CD’s and movies, glasses and sunglasses, hearing aids, plastic silverware (wrapped), records (vinyl), pill bottles, ink and toner, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc. Check their website for a complete list, details and rates.
Colorado Pet Pantry
https://www.coloradopetpantry.org/donate/donate-pet-food/
Colorado Pet Pantry is a food bank for family pets. This organization temporarily feeds Colorado pets, allowing families to increase their ability to care for pets with the goal of keeping them out of shelters and with their families. You can donate pet food and treats at one of the many Denver pet food collection sites. See locations at the link above. You can even donate open bags, please explain the circumstances to the store manager, seal the bag, and label the contents.