Why is there a fee? 

There is a fee for recycling most electronic items, the exceptions being desktop CPUs, laptops, and mobile phones. Electronics processors must first disassemble all items before they can recycle them, a labor-intensive process that often requires handling toxic substances. The funds are also used to offset the cost of collection, storage and marketing of the materials. 

Will the public always have to pay for recycling materials like this?

Not if we can help it. In other countries, manufacturers (including U.S. multinationals) are required to pay for recycling their toxic product rather than putting that burden on customers, government or non-profits. 

Eco-Cycle is part of a coalition working to create similar "take-back" programs in the U.S. If U.S. companies participate in Take-Back programs abroad, why not here? Until businesses begin to design products for recycling and disassembly and offer free "take-back" programs, recyclers like you, local governments like the City of Boulder, and nonprofits like Eco-Cycle will continue to bear the cost of doing the right thing.

Watch the Story of Electronics to learn more about how electronics manufacturers need to take greater responsibility for the recovery and greener design of their products. 

As of Nov. 15, 2016, electronics and plastic appliances are recycled on-site through a new program from Eco-Cycle and Blue Star Recyclers that employs people with autism and other disAbilities. Trained as recycling technicians, these workers disassemble electronics at the CHaRM Facility in our newly retrofitted warehouse. Learn more at www.ecocycle.org/charm.

Because electronics are being disassembled on-site, we can now guarantee chain of custody and data security on-site.  The CHaRM is in progress to be certified to the e-Steward standard, the strictest environmental standard in the industry. 

Fire Extinguishers

After the retardant is safely discharged, the metal cylinders are recycled. 

Textiles and Paired Reusable Shoes

Toilets, Sinks and Urinals

#6 White Block Foam

Here’s the list of our local recycling and reuse partners

Atlas Metals • 303-825-7166

BolderPath

Community Cycles

Diversified Imaging Systems • 303-817-9303

Green Guru

Magnum D’Or Resources

Metech Recycling

Recycled Materials Company

Rocky Mountain Sustainable Enterprises

Star Industrial Supplies • 303-295-7737

Sustainable Oil Service

The Wireless Alliance

The CHaRM depends upon partnerships with innovative local companies to expand the list of materials we can accept for reuse or recycling. If you have an idea for a recycled product to make out of a new or existing category of materials, please contact us.

What is the CHaRM?

CHaRM opened in 2001 and was the first facility of its kind in the nation. It collects unusual materials like electronics and plastic bags for recycling and reuse.

Printer Cartridges

• Ink Jet and Laser Jet 

Plate Glass Windows

Accepted starting Sat., April 22, 2017 (Earth Day!)

>> Read the press release

• Includes windows, patio doors, shower doors, picture frame glass, glass tabletops, glass block, tempered glass, insulated glass

• Cracked and broken panes are OK

• Window without jamb: $3.00/unit

• Window with jamb: $8.00/unit

• Door without jamb: $12.00/unit

• Door with jamb: $20.00/unit

• NO glassware (drinking glass, dishes, etc.), mirrors, Pyrex (food containers, microwave dishes, measuring cups), canning jars, or bottles and jars.

Plastic Bags & Bubble Wrap

• Includes plastic shopping and newspaper bags, ziplock bags, dry cleaner bags and bubble wrap

• MUST be clean, dry, and empty of all food, receipts, etc. with tape and stickers removed

• NO plastic food wrap or packing peanuts

NEW: Foam Packing Sheets

• Accepted with plastic bags in plastic bag bin

• Click here for close-up image

• Must be clean and dry

• NO packing peanuts, other foam

#6 White Block Foam

• #6 White Block Foam

• Businesses: $6 per cubic yard

• NO shipping labels on foam, packing peanuts, "Styrofoam" (polystyrene) cups, “to-go” boxes, meat trays or any other food-grade styrofoam, moisture or tape

Small Plastic Appliances

• Electric and battery-powered appliances

• $0.39/lb.

• NO vacuum bags, glass (coffee pots, blender carafes, etc.), or food/liquid residue .

• Have  appliances that are mostly metal? See scrap metal listing.

Please note that we will weigh your materlals on-site and give you a total fee based on weight at that time. The link above is just to give you a rought estimate.

Our flat CHaRM facility entrance fee of $3 applies to plastic appliances, which helps us cover the costs we incur recycling these hard-to-recycle materials.

Big Durable #2 Plastics

• Large plastics such as Big Wheels® and plastic play structures, plastic lawn furniture, plastic watering cans, laundry baskets, clean plastic buckets (no residue), crates, rigid backyard kiddie pools and plastic trash containers. 

• Must be the size of a five-gallon bucket or larger but must also be less than 4 feet by 4 feet (can be cut to meet these dimensions).

• In some cases, these plastics may not be marked with a #2, so look for them to be opaque with a matte finish and hollow inside. They are made with a mold, so will likely have a seam where two halves were joined.

• Non-plastic parts must be removed, including straps, padding and fabric. Items requiring disassembly will be charged a $5 fee.

• NO flower pots without a #2, inflatable pools or other inflatable plastics, water beds, chew toys, CD jewel cases, small toys such as action figures, etc.

• NO insulated plastic coolers

Coroplast Political Yard Signs (corrugated plastic)

• $3 facility fee applies

• metal stands can be recycled as scrap metal at the CHaRM at no extra charge

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Mattresses and Box Springs

• Standard spring or futon mattress, any size:  ($17.50)

• Box spring, any size:  ($17.50)

• Memory foam mattress, any size:  ($24)

• Mechanical bed ($36.50)

• Bed bug-infested mattress or box spring:  ($32.50)*
*Bed bug-infested items MUST be sealed in plastic and taped closed prior to delivery

• NO mattresses or box springs with mold. 

Bicycles & Bike Parts

Any Condition 

• Includes integral parts such as seats, pedals, handlebars, wheels, etc. and metal accessories such as baskets and Pannier racks 

• NO other accessories or sporting goods 

Bicycle Tires & Tubes

• $.50 per bike tire

• Puncture-resistant or slime tubes should be kept separately 

• NO automotive or other tires 

Miscellaneous

Books & Manuals

• Computer and Office Manuals

• Hard-Bound Books and Paperbacks

*Call for quantities one pallet and larger 

*There is no fee to drop off books. Learn about our Book Reuse Project

Cooking Oil

• Residential quantities only (maximum 10 gallons); for larger quantities see our A-Z Recycling Guide listing for Cooking Oil

• Includes canola, corn, vegetable, olive, and sesame oils

• NO motor oil or any oil used for purposes other than cooking.

Textiles

Clothing, Towels, Sheets, Fabrics, Paired Reusable Shoes

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