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City offers household hazardous waste collection

May 3, 2012

To help community members safely and properly dispose of the many hazardous wastes that have accumulated in their homes, the City of Fort Collins will host free household hazardous waste collections from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, June 2 and Sept. 15, on the northwest corner of Lake Street and College Avenue (on the CSU campus). There is a limit of 30 gallons per household.

Responsibly disposing materials

The events provide residents the opportunity to go through their garages, kitchens, bathrooms and storage sheds and dispose of old or extra chemicals and other hazardous materials in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

Among items that will be accepted are:

• pesticides
• paint
• cleaning and automotive products
• household batteries
• CFL bulbs
• used oil
• mercury-containing items (e.g., thermostat and appliance switches, thermometers, button-shaped batteries)

Items that will not be accepted include:

• explosives
• asbestos
• bio-waste (e.g., needles, bandages)
• pharmaceuticals 
• electronics
• commercial and industrial wastes

Hazardous wastes pollute the environment through groundwater, surface water and air. Improper disposal of household wastes can cause problems for the entire community by negatively impacting the environment, storm drainage systems and wastewater treatment equipment.

Safety tips for transporting products

When packing and transporting hazardous products, be sure to follow these safety tips:

• Store items upright in boxes or tubs (do not bring them loose in bags).
• Place similar items together (do not stack or pile on top of each other).
• Ensure containers are sealed and not leaking.
• Store acids and oxidizers separately, away from each other as well as other hazardous products.
• Keep items away from children and pets.

Residents also may take their hazardous products to the Larimer County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located with the landfill on South Taft Hill Road. This service is free for residents.

More information

For more information and to find out if a particular item will be accepted, email utilities@fcgov.com, call (970) 221-6700 or TDD (970) 224-6003.

• More information about additional disposal options
• More information about City sustainability efforts