Earth Day is coming up on April 26 and it’s spring cleaning season! To help you out, we put together this handy guide on how to recycle anything and everything that might be taking up space in your basement, garage, or storage unit 📦
🏠 Schedule pickups for old household appliances
Old appliances can also contain hazardous materials, so be sure to schedule a pick-up with the City of Denver for washers, dryers, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers and more. Xcel Energy customers can get a $50 rebate for recycling your fridge.
🛋️ Your worn out couch could have a second life!
The Good Couch will pick up your old sectional or loveseat, clean and refurbish it with a five-step restoration process, then place it in their showroom with other upcycled living room sets at an affordable price. The company not only reduces furniture waste, it also donates a portion of proceeds to Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
☣️ Take extra care with hazardous materials
Hazardous materials — things like paint, bleach, pesticides, automotive fluids, and gasoline — need special attention. You can schedule a pickup with the city if you have more than three kinds of hazardous materials or more than 25 pounds of one material.
🧸 Share baby gear with new families
Colorado-based non-profit WeeCycle collects lightly-used baby gear, like disassembled cribs, strollers, car seats, and pack ‘n plays, to rehome it for families in need. The organization also takes donations of unopened diapers, wipes, and formula.
🛏️ Donate that old mattress and box spring for a good cause
Spring Back is a mattress recycling nonprofit that does two great things: by recycling your old bed, the company keeps beds and box springs out of the landfill, while also employing folks in the community who face employment barriers like past incarceration and substance misuse disorders.
📺 Broken and outdated electronics can – and should – be recycled
That old flatscreen TV in your basement can contain harmful materials, so proper recycling is crucial. Places like Blue Star Recyclers, Techno Rescue, and R2 eCycle can recycle electronics safely, while also promising data protection for sensitive information that might be living on an old computer or phone.
🪑 When in doubt, check out Denver’s large item pick up schedule
As part of regular trash service, each neighborhood has a scheduled pick up day every few weeks if you need to off-load larger household items that don’t fit in the trash or recycle bin. Be sure to check the city’s website for a complete list of accepted items.
A few more handy tips:
- Be aware that some recycling programs charge small fees to take your donations. Fees cover costs like labor and proper recycling.
- Donation non-profits like Goodwill and the ARC have lists of items they do not take. Check specific locations before you drop off — some donated items aren’t re-sellable or re-usable and end up being sent to the trash.
- Looking for a one-stop option to unload your extra stuff? Check out the Earth Day Recycling Event at the Shops at Northfield, which will offer paper shredding and will be collecting paint, electronics, and baby gear for recycling or re-use 📃🔌🍼
