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Program Manager
- Caroline Mitchell
Recycling Contact
Recycling A to Z Recycling A to Z
Recycling Updates Newsletter Recycling Updates Newsletter
WEATHER CLOSURE
Beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, October 25 the Timberline Recycling Center will be closed to the public due to inclement weather.
We expect to reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, October 26 if weather subsides and plows can clear the site. Please check back here for updates.
COVID-19 Impacts on the Timberline Recycling Center
The Timberline Recycling Center, both the everyday recyclables yard and Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard will remain open for regular business hours. During this time the following will be in place:
- Face coverings are required by all visitors
- Credit cards are preferred, but cash is accepted at the Hard-to-Recycle Yard Gatehouse
- Visitors should follow health guidelines for physical distancing; remain 6 ft apart and avoid gathering in groups
Staff are closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and will post closures and changes in hours of operation at fcgov.com/TRC.
Timberline Recycling Center
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 - Saturday
- 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Holidays Observed: Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (Closes at Noon), Christmas Day, New Year’s Day
Recycling Ambassadors
Volunteers are available - in the general recycling area 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.
While this site accepts paper that has already been shredded, PLEASE NOTE - THIS SITE DOES NOT REGULARLY OFFER SHREDDING SERVICES
Containers
- Containers #1, #2 & #3: Corrugated Cardboard ONLY (Max Size 4'x4'x6")
-
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 Paper
-
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)
-
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 Only
-
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 Paper
-
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 Film
-
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
- Mulch
-
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)
Regular Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 8 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday and Monday
Changes to Motor Oil, Cooking Oil & Antifreeze Recycling
Effective July 1, 2020 collection of motor oil, cooking oil, and antifreeze will be limited to residential, noncommercial recycling only.
Commercial loads from businesses will no longer be accepted and community members are limited to dropping off a maximum of 5 gallons per visit.
No Entry Fee
There is no entry fee for residents when dropping off only these materials. (NEW: Commercial Customers dropping off batteries subject to recycling fees in addition to $5 entry fee)
- Antifreeze
-
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.
- Batteries
-
Rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries are accepted. Includes all batteries ranging from small watch batteries to car batteries.
New in 2020: New fees for commercial generators
Commercial generators dropping off batteries will be charged per 5-gallon bucket in addition to the $5 entry fee. Additional fees apply for batteries not taped on the ends (exludes alkalines) or those that are damaged.
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 Cardboard
-
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
- Paint
-
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 & Film
-
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 Oil
-
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
- Aggregates
-
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 Twine
-
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 Plastic
-
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
- 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 Oil
-
- Scrap Metal
-
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 Extinguishers
-
- Electronic Waste (additional fees apply)
-
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
- Smaller than 19" – $20
- 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)
-
Accepted
- Yard trimmings - $4.75/yard
- Branches less than 2" diameter
- Leaves
- Grass clippings
- Branches larger than 2" diameter – $6.50/yard
- Lumber (untreated and unpainted)/scrap wood (NO plywood or composite boards) – $5.75/yard
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 waste and wood waste.
NOT Accepted
- Rebar
- Yard trimmings - $4.75/yard
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.