Hard to Recycle Event
Trash & Recycling
2025 Hard to Recycle Event:
The Hard to Recycle collection event will be held Oct. 6th to Oct. 18th. This by-reservation only event is for Longmont residents and provides the opportunity to dispose of those hard-to–recycle items that are not collected in the curbside recycling bins. Please see below for the items accepted at this special collection event. Please note: some items are free of charge to drop off and others have a fee for disposal.
To make your Hard To Recycle drop off reservation, visit https://www.greengirlrecycling.com/hard-to-recycle-event. The City partners with Green Girl Recycling located at 1801 Boston Ave.
| Accepted items | Cost to resident |
|---|---|
| TV’s – Flat screens or tube CRT or computer screens | First one free; $1.00 per screen inch, for flat screen $3.00 per inch CRT |
| CD and DVD players, small household appliances, printers, fax machines, things with cords | First 40 pounds free;Â $.40 per pound after that |
| Books hard-covered; (paperbacks can be placed in curbside recycling cart) | First box or bag free; $2.00 per box or bag after that |
| Shredded paper | First box or bag free; $5.00 per box or bag after that |
| Mattresses and Box Springs | $30.00 each any size |
| Fire Extinguishers | $10.00 each |
| Desktop and laptop computers, cell phones, cameras, game consoles, stereo equipment, cables and wires | Free |
| Ceramic toilets and sinks | Free |
| Bicycle tires and tubes (no vehicle tires) | Free |
| Printer cartridges | Free |
| Large durable plastic items, such as play structures | Free |
| Not Accepted items | Alternative disposal Site |
|---|---|
| Household and automobile oils | Free at the Longmont Recycling Center |
| Plastic bags | Free at the Longmont Recycling Center |
| Cardboard | Free at the Longmont Recycling Center |
| Styrofoam | Free at the Longmont Recycling Center |
| Washers and dryers | Free at the Longmont Recycling Center |
| Paint and other household chemicals | Free at the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility |
| Light bulbs | Free at the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility |
| Refrigerators, air conditioning units | Bazor Recycling, 260 South Sunset St, Longmont (for a fee) |
| Medical pharmaceuticals | Drop off locations in Longmont – see Waste Wizard |
| Medical needles/Sharps | Packed appropriately and placed in curbside trash collection cart – see Waste Wizard |
| Furniture, including mattresses | Free Landfill Days, four times per year |
| Plate glass | Packed appropriately and placed in curbside trash collection cart |
| Vehicle tires | Free at any tire dealership location |
Hard to recycle items are those things that cannot go in your curbside recycling cart. For a reminder of what can go into your curbside cart, check out the Single Stream Recycling Guide. For items not listed, ask our Waste Wizard and explore the resources below to find additional recycling options. Many retailers also now offer recycling for things like print cartridges, batteries, plastic bags and more.
Our Waste Wizard app helps you learn how to sort your trash properly, as well as how to handle hard to recycle items. Give the Waste Wizard a try today!
Still have questions after asking the Waste Wizard and reading this page? Contact the Recycling Hotline for Boulder County for hard to recycle questions.
Recycling Directories
- EcoCycle A-Z Recycling Guide (for Boulder County)
- Environmental Protection Agency Electronics Donation & Recycling (National)
Longmont Recycling Center
The Longmont Recycling Center, located at 140 Martin Street in Longmont, accepts the following Hard to Recycle items year-round for recycling at no cost to Longmont residents. Please stop at the attendant’s window and someone will direct you to the special collection bins.
Plastic Bag Recycling
- Allowable:
- Plastic shopping bags
- Newspaper bags
- Plastic zipper (Ziploc®) bags
- Dry cleaner bags
- Bubble wrap
- Bags must be clean, dry, and empty of all food, receipts, etc., with tape and stickers removed.
- NO plastic food wrap or black trash bags.
Used Automotive Oil, Cooking Oil, and Automotive Battery Recycling
- Oils will only be accepted in clear, one-gallon containers and must not be contaminated with anything else (including water or other chemicals). We recommend clear, plastic milk or distilled water jugs.
- Automotive and rechargeable batteries (including motorcycle and boat batteries) may be brought to the same collection site. Note: Alkaline batteries are not recyclable and may be discarded in your curbside trash bin.
White Foam Block (Styrofoam)® Recycling
- We can recycle only one type of foam – white block foam only.
- Please remove all tape, labels and stickers before recycling.
- The Styrofoam block collection bin is not at the front drop-off area. Please drive to the attendants window and you will be directed to this special collection bin.
- Please bring your current city utility bill and ID indicating you are a city resident to use this service.
- Foam sheets, foam wrapping, foam peanuts, food grade foams or other plastic packing materials are not recyclable. Those materials should be placed in the trash.
Scrap Metal
- No refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners or any other appliances containing freon are accepted.
- Items that are 50% or more metal are accepted.
- Items that have gasoline or oil must be drained of all fluids.
- Microwaves are accepted but the glass plate must be removed.
When using the Longmont Recycling Center, please be sure to bring a current City of Longmont utility bill and identification to show that you are a city resident.
