Getting in the holiday spirit is easy. Cleaning up after the holidays doesn’t have to be hard. Use this guide to help you recycle all that holiday cheer.
Recycling Centers in Northern Colorado
- You can recycle most wrapping paper in your curbside bin or drop it off at the city recycling drop-off center. The only catch is that you can’t recycle metallic materials, including some wrapping paper, ribbon, or bows.
- Remember that by law you have to recycle cardboard in your curbside bin or drop it off at the city recycling drop-off center.
- After endless shopping trips, there are plastic shopping bags with no home. Recycle your grocery bags, Ziploc bags, and any other plastic bags at your local grocery store, Target, or Walmart. Just make sure they’re clean, dry, and empty.
- Believe it or not, all those pieces of Styrofoam and bags of packing peanuts can be recycled. It will require a drive, but it’s a scenic one so pack a picnic and hit the road. All those items can be recycled at the CHaRM facility in Boulder at 6400 Arapahoe Ave. If you don’t want to take a drive, donate them locally. Visit www.fcgov.com/recyclingcenters for a full list of locations.
- After you cook all those holiday treats, don’t pour your cooking oil down the drain. Drop off all your used oil at Eco-Thrift in Fort Collins, 300 N. Howes St. Best of all, there’s no charge for this service.
Recycling Electronics
- Once you’ve replaced all the batteries in the toys, don’t throw them in the trash. Drop them off at the Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the landfill, 5887 S. Taft Hill Rd. in Fort Collins.
- If you’re ready to get rid of those old Christmas light strands, take them to RMB Recycling, 1475 N. College Ave., in Fort Collins; Aragon Iron and Metal, 516 N. U.S. Highway 287, in Fort Collins; or Colorado Iron and Metal, 903 Buckingham St., in Fort Collins. Just be sure to bundle them.
- Follow the law and don’t put your used and broken electronics in your trash or curbside recycling bin. Visit www.fcgov.com/recyclingcenters for a list of electronics-friendly recycling sites.
Getting rid of your Christmas Tree
When it’s time to say farewell to your Christmas tree, recycle it at one of these locations in Fort Collins through January 19, 2016.
- Edora Park, 1420 E. Stuart St.
- The southeast corner of Rolland Moore Park, 2201 S. Shields St.
- City Streets Facility, 625 Ninth St.
- The Wellington Recycling Drop-off at the Town Garage on the corner of 6th and Grant Ave.
Be sure to remove all lights, string, wire, metal hooks, nails, ornaments, tinsel, and fake snow.
Holiday Energy Saving Tips
As a bonus tip, if you’re looking for ways to stay green DURING the holiday season, here are a few suggestions:
- Put your holiday lights on a timer to save money and the planet. A good recommendation is to set your lights to come on at dusk and turn off at bedtime.
- Trade in your holiday-themed wrapping paper and use old comic books, posters or newsprint to wrap your gifts for loved ones.
