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Recycling

Recycling

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Timberline Recycling Center#

Location and Hours of Operation#

Location and Hours of Operation

1903 S. Timberline Rd., Fort Collins CO 80525  -  Take a Virtual Tour

Everyday Recycling Drop-off site (no charge):

  • Seven days/week, 365 days/year, during daylight hours
  • Closed in inclement weather 
  • Visitation is highest during the weekend; for fewer crowds come mid-week

Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard:

$5 per visit (credit cards preferred, cash also accepted)

  • Open Tuesday to Saturday, Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays
  • 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Holidays Observed: Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (Closes at Noon), Christmas Day, New Year’s Day

Need Help Recycling?#

Volunteers are available - in the everyday recyclables yard only - with the following schedule to help with unloading or answer any questions you might have unless there is inclement weather (below freezing, blowing snow or high winds).

View volunteer schedule (Last updated:  )

Everyday Recycling Drop-Off Site: Materials & Guidelines#

The City accepts common recyclables like cardboard, paper, mixed bottles/cans, and glass at the everyday recycling drop-off site for no charge.

Containers#

Containers #1, #2 & #3: Corrugated Cardboard ONLY (Max Size 4'x4'x6")highlight_off

These bins have rectangular openings four inches tall for accepting flattened cardboard. Please cut down large boxes to fit into a 4' X 6" slot, so they will not jam the machinery.

Have a large load? You can now bring larger loads of flattened cardboard to the hard-to-recycle materials yard for recycling. The hard-to-recycle materials yard is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is option is perfect for commercial loads or anyone with a large amount of boxes.

Accepted#

  • Flattened Corrugated Cardboard ONLY

NOT Accepted#

  • Soiled, waxed or single-layer cardboard (paperboard)
  • Pizza boxes
  • Plastic bags
  • Styrofoam
  • Trash
Containers #4 & #5: Combined Low-Grade Mixed Paperhighlight_off

Accepted#

  • Magazines
  • Newspaper
  • Newspaper inserts
  • Junk mail
  • Manila Folders
  • Cereal, cracker & other paperboard boxes
  • Six- or twelve-pack beverage cartons
  • Paper egg cartons
  • Food-free pizza boxes
  • Soft-bound books
  • Telephone books
  • Brown paper bags, packaging and envelopes
  • Gift, shirt, shoe & tissue boxes
  • Paper bags
  • Wrapping paper and packing paper (no metallic wrapping paper, ribbons or bows)
  • Tissue wrapping paper (no paper with glitter, ribbons, or bows)
  • Paper tubes (paper towel roll / toilet paper roll tubes, etc.)

NOT Accepted#

  • Frozen food boxes & containers
  • Foil-backed paper
  • Styrofoam packing materials
  • Pet food, charcoal or fertilizer bags
  • Waxed paper, foil, or parchment papers
  • TYVEK envelopes
  • Plastic bags
  • String
  • Tissues (Kleenex), napkins, paper towels
  • Paper plates, paper cups, and other single use items
  • Rigid cardboard tubes (like carpet tubes)
Containers #6 & #7: Commingled Containers (Bottles/Cans)highlight_off

Accepted#

Please avoid crushing any of these items:

  • Tetra Pak, aseptic and paper cartons (containing milk, juice and broth)
  • Steel/tin cans
  • Empty aerosol cans
  • Aluminum cans
  • Plastic food and beverage containers labeled #1, #2, #4, or #5:
    • Until further notice plastic containers labeled with a  #3, #6, or #7 in the chasing arrows will be landfilled. Learn more
    • Jugs, bottles, tubs
    • Leave lids on plastic bottles and jars, after rinsing and drying

If it’s not listed here, please don’t put it in this bin.

NOT Accepted#

  • Glass
  • Styrofoam
  • Catering trays over 2' in diameter
  • Plastic bags
  • Motor oil/anti-freeze bottles
  • Plastic containers labeled #3, #6, or #7
  • Compostable "plastic-like" containers (often labeled #7 PLA)
  • Rigid plastic containers larger than 2.5 liters
Containers #8 & #9: Glass Onlyhighlight_off

Accepted#

  • Clean glass bottles and jars (rinsed, no dirt or rocks)
  • All colors ok
  • Labels ok
  • Remove metal lids from bottle or jar and place in bin separately
  • If it’s not listed here, please don’t put it in this bin

NOT Accepted#

  • Ceramics
  • Bake-ware
  • Pyrex
  • Drinking glasses
  • Window glass
  • Mirrors
  • Light bulbs
  • Fish tanks or other durable glass items
  • Non-glass containers
Container #10 Sorted White Office Paperhighlight_off

Accepted#

  • White office paper
  • White envelopes (envelopes with windows are accepted)
  • Shredded white paper (loose)
    • While this site accepts paper that has already been shredded, PLEASE NOTE - THIS SITE DOES NOT OFFER SHREDDING SERVICES
  • If it’s not listed here, please don’t put it in this bin

NOT Accepted#

  • Newspaper
  • Colored Paper
  • Newspaper Inserts & Ads
  • File Folders
  • Foil-backed paper
  • Paper bags
  • Packing paper
  • Brown or tan envelopes
  • Styrofoam packing materials
  • Gift wrapping paper
  • Phone books
  • TYVEK envelopes
  • Plastic bags
  • String
  • Boxes
Containers for Plastic Bags and Filmhighlight_off

This pilot program is highly dependent on the good quality of items residents place in the specially labeled bins; if there are too many problems with “contaminants” being placed in the plastic-film recycling bins, it could jeopardize the success of the program.

Please place ONLY the following clean and dry materials inside the specially-marked bins:

  • grocery, produce, bread, dry-cleaning, and newspaper bags
  • industrial shrink-wrap, plastic wrapping (e.g. plastic coverings for bulk paper towels and toilet paper), air pillows and bubble wrap
  • Polyethylene film labeled with a resin identification code as #2 HDPE or #4 LDPE

Materials that are NOT accepted include:

  • Pet food bags (woven plastic material)
  • Packaged/fresh produce bag (breathable plastic that’s non-recyclable)
  • Cereal box liner bags (wax-like appearance)
  • Crinkly chips bags
  • Wood Pellet Bags (generally contain residue and wood debris)
  • Vinyl bedding/quilt bags
Mulchhighlight_off

City Forestry Department deposits shredded tree mulch in a bunker in the general recycling area when it is available. There is no set delivery schedule, and our office is not informed of deliveries. Since the site is unmanned, It is first come, first served.

Hard-To-Recycle Materials Yard ($5 Facility Use Fee)#

  • Open Tuesday to Saturday, Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays
  • 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Printable List of Accepted Materials

No Entry Fee#

Antifreezehighlight_off

Antifreeze must be free of contaminants. The containers are not recyclable and should be disposed of in the trash (Trash services are not provided at the Timberline Recycling Center).

Limit 5 gallons per visit. Residential loads only, no commercial loads accepted. 

Batterieshighlight_off

Rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries are accepted. Includes all batteries ranging from small watch batteries to car batteries.

Fees for Commercial Generators (in addition to $5 entry fee)

Battery Type Price per 5-gallon Bucket

Alkaline

$50.00

NiCad*

$30.00

NiNHi*

$30.00

Lithium*

$30.00

Hospital Packs Alkaline

$30.00

Hospital Packs Li-On*

$30.00

Mixed Batteries*

$190.00

*Additional charges for batteries not taped on the ends or damaged 

$12.00 - $13.75

Corrugated Cardboardhighlight_off

Large amounts of corrugated cardboard can be recycled in the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard for no charge. Smaller loads of corrugated cardboard can also be recycled seven days a week during daylight hours in the everyday recyclables yard.

Limit 4 yards

Accepted

  • Flattened Corrugated Cardboard 

NOT Accepted

  • Soiled, waxed or single-layer cardboard (paperboard)
  • Pizza boxes
  • Plastic bags
  • Styrofoam
  • Trash
Painthighlight_off

For quantities larger than 50 gallons, contact Waste-Not Recycling at 970-669-9912. Commercial generators are welcome and may be required to provide additional generator information at the gatehouse.

Accepted

  • Oil-based paint and enamel
  • Latex paint (interior/exterior architectural paints)
  • Various other coverings (deck coating, varnish, floor paint, primer, sealer, stains)

NOT Accepted

  • Aerosol paints (spray cans)
  • Art and craft paint
  • Paint thinners
  • Mineral spirits
  • Solvents
  • Paint additives
  • Colorants
  • Tints
  • Resins
  • Adhesives
  • Leaking/empty/unlabeled containers
Plastic Bags & Filmhighlight_off

Large amounts of plastic bags & film can be recycled in the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard for no charge. Smaller loads of plastic film can also be recycled seven days a week during daylight hours in the everyday recyclables yard.

Accepted:

  • grocery, produce, bread, dry-cleaning, and newspaper bags
  • industrial shrink-wrap, plastic wrapping (e.g. plastic coverings for bulk paper towels and toilet paper), air pillows and bubble wrap
  • Polyethylene film labeled with a resin identification code as #2 HDPE or #4 LDPE

NOT Accepted: 

  • Pet food bags (woven plastic material)
  • Packaged/fresh produce bag (breathable plastic that’s non-recyclable)
  • Cereal box liner bags (wax-like appearance)
  • Crinkly chips bags
  • Wood Pellet Bags (generally contain residue and wood debris)
  • Vinyl bedding/quilt bags
Used Motor Oilhighlight_off

Motor oil must be free of contaminants. The containers are not recyclable and should be disposed of in the trash (Trash services are not provided at the Timberline Recycling Center).

Limit 5 gallons per visit. Residential loads only, no commercial loads accepted. 

Accepted

  • Used motor oil

NOT Accepted

  • Gear oil
  • Mixed gas/oil
  • Transmission fluid

$5 Entry Fee#

Aggregateshighlight_off

Accepted#

  • Concrete (no rebar)
  • Asphalt
  • Brick
  • Rock
  • Tile
  • Porcelain, including sinks and toilets 
  • If it’s not listed here, please don’t put it in this bin

NOT Accepted#

  • Rebar
Baling Twinehighlight_off

The majority of baling twine used in rural areas ends up in the landfill or accumulates on a landowners’ property. Wildlife and livestock can become seriously ill or die if baling twine is ingested, and birds are especially at risk for getting tangled up in it. However, 100% of baling twine is recyclable and can easily be properly disposed of in the hard-to-recycle materials yard.

Bulky Rigid Plastichighlight_off

Bulky Rigid Plastic is a term to describe plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE) and #5 (PP) on them that are larger than, or manufactured differently than, what is acceptable in curbside recycling.    

For the purposes of this pilot program, the acceptable items are strictly limited to help ensure their marketability. You can do your part in making this pilot program a success by carefully adhering to the important requirements below.

Accepted#

  • 5-gallon Buckets (metal handles removed)
  • Laundry Baskets
  • Milk/Beverage Crates
  • Kitty Litter Buckets
  • Plastic Outdoor Furniture
  • Children’s Play Sets (outdoor Jungle Gyms, Slides, Forts, Playhouses, etc.) (metal parts removed)
  • “Little Tike” Push Cars (metal parts removed)

NOT Accepted#

  • PVC pipe or materials
  • Foam of any kind
  • Inflatable furniture and pools
  • Flower pots
  • Small toys, cars, action figures
  • CD cases
  • 55 gallon drums / barrels
Cooking Oilhighlight_off
Scrap Metalhighlight_off

Accepted#

  • All types of small metal items (must be made of at least 50% metal)
  • Non-refrigerant type appliances (any item that contains freon is not accepted)
  • Lawn mowers and other small engine-containing items, if fluids are drained

NOT Accepted#

  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Air conditioning units
  • Fluids
Fire Extinguishershighlight_off
Electronic Waste (additional fees apply)highlight_off

Accepted#

  • Desktops, computers, CPU's and hard drives (includes external hard drives or hard drives that have already been removed) – $5
  • Compact printers/fax machines/scanners – $10
  • Standing floor copiers – $50
  • Microwave ovens – $10
  • Reader devices (Kindle, Nook, etc.) – $5
  • Laptops – $10
  • Televisions:
    • Smaller than 19" – $20
      • Sony Trinitron – $60
    • 19" to 27" – $30
      • Sony Trinitron – $90
    • 27" to 34" – $40
      • Sony Trinitron – $120
    • Larger than 34" – $50
      • Sony Trinitron – $150
  • Console televisions – $50
  • Projection televisions – $40
  • Flat screen monitors/televisions – $15
  • LED/Plasma televisions (any size) – $20
  • Computer peripherals (cables, keyboards, mice, speakers, and external floppy drives) – $0
  • Cell phones and landline phones – $0
  • UPS (will be counted as a battery) and power supplies – $0
  • Cameras – $0
  • Most tape players (DVD, VCR, cassette), unless attached to a television – $0
  • Most stereos, speakers, and sound equipment - $0

NOT Accepted#

  • Fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide alarms
Organic Debris (additional fees apply)highlight_off

ACCEPTED#

*Prices Effective January 1, 2021* (current prices: yard trimmings $4.75/yard, branches $6.50/yard & lumber $5.75/yard)

  • Yard trimmings - $7.50/yard
    • Branches less than 2" diameter
    • Leaves
    • Garden Waste
    • Grass clippings
  • Branches larger than 2" diameter – $8.50/yard 
  • Lumber (untreated and unpainted) / scrap wood (NO plywood or composite boards) – $8.50/yard
  • Branches or lumber over 18" in diameter and/or 6' in length NOT ACCEPTED

Commercial users and individuals with large quantities of organics debris (3 cubic yards or large truck and trailer loads) are encouraged to consider private sector alternatives that may offer better pricing for large loads. Look here for complete lists of local business accepting yard trimmings and wood waste.

NOT Accepted#

  • Rebar
  • Branches or lumber over 18" in diameter and/or 6' in length 
Christmas Trees (Additional Fees Apply)highlight_off

Live Christmas trees are accepted in the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard for $6 ($5 entry fee, plus $1 per tree).*

Be sure to remove all items from tree before dropping off, including: lights, wire, hooks, ornaments, tinsel, and fake snow.

*Free drop off program for trees will not be available this year. Previous drop off locations in city parks will not be operational. 

Other Local Tree Disposal Options

Give the gift of recycling! Purchase an entry certificate to the Timberline Recycling Center's Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard for just $5. Certificates are available for purchase at the gatehouse at the entry to the Yard.