Don’t let your old batteries sit in a drawer any longer! All batteries, including the ones in your old electric toothbrush or from your car key fob, can be taken to the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF).

One important note is that taping your batteries before coming to the HMMF is essential to prevent them from starting a fire. Understanding which batteries to tape and where to tape them can help prevent sparking if they come into contact with other batteries or metal objects. Without tape, they can short-circuit, overheat, and cause a fire.

We’ve got a handy-dandy battery taping guide to help you out. Make sure to use clear tape, as it allows recyclers to read the battery type for proper recycling.

HMMF staff spend hours taping batteries that have come in. Let’s help them out and tape before you drop!

In 2022, Colorado passed House Bill 22-1355, also known as the Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act. This legislation shifts the responsibility for funding recycling from taxpayers to the producers of packaging and paper products. Hooray!

Under the law, companies that sell products using these materials must join a Producer Responsibility Organization, which will coordinate and fund a statewide recycling system. The Producer Responsibility Organization for Colorado is the Circular Action Alliance (CAA).

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, producers must begin paying annual dues to the CAA based on the amount and type of packaging and paper they introduce into the Colorado market. These funds will be used to provide free and convenient recycling services to residents across the state. 

Colorado residents can expect several meaningful changes and benefits from this program. The new law ensures that everyone has access to free, convenient recycling services, whether through curbside pickup or local drop-off sites. It also brings investments in better recycling infrastructure and clearer public education, making it easier to know what can be recycled. Recycling guidelines will be consistent throughout the state. The program supports environmental goals by reducing landfill waste while also boosting local economies through job creation in recycling and manufacturing.

I encourage you to check out the websites linked in this section to learn more about this legislation.