Recycling centers in Boulder, Colorado

The Boulder County Recycling Center is a modern facility that processes over 60,000 tons of recyclable materials annually, with a capacity for 100,000 tons. Visitors can enjoy tours of the center, which showcases single-stream processing where all recyclable containers and paper materials are combined in one bin. In 2020, the center installed two robotic systems named Sorty McSortface and Sir Sorts-a-Lot to efficiently sort materials using artificial intelligence. The facility maximizes environmental sustainability through features like daylighting, use of sustainable materials, and water reuse. Residents and small businesses can drop off recyclable materials 24/7, and licensed haulers receive recycling rebates. The center also accepts hazardous materials at a separate facility on-site.

The Eco-Cycle City of Boulder Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM) is a unique facility located at 6400 Arapahoe Rd in Boulder, offering recycling and reuse services for electronics, appliances, hard-to-recycle plastics, and more. Operating from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm, CHaRM is closed on Sundays and may have closures during extreme weather conditions. Visitors can expect to be greeted at the CHaRM window upon arrival, where recycling fees will be assessed based on the materials brought in. The facility is organized into zones dedicated to specific materials, with custom-built collection containers. A $3 facility fee is charged per vehicle entering CHaRM, with additional fees for certain materials based on processing and shipping costs. Tips to save on the facility fee include arriving by bicycle, carpooling, or volunteering at CHaRM. The facility also offers special rates for businesses and encourages visitors to avoid shipping materials from far away due to environmental impact. Tours are available by request, and masks are required for unvaccinated individuals during tours. For more information, visitors can check the CHaRM website or contact the facility directly.