Waste / Recyclables

Tips for Reducing Household Hazardous Waste

• Always read and follow label directions for use and disposal.
• Buy only what you need.
• Give left over products to others that can use them. Make sure to always leave the product in the original container with proper labeling.
• Never dispose of household chemicals by dumping them down the sink or toilet, in the street or storm drain or on the ground. Follow label directions for proper disposal or contact your waste disposal company for direction.
• Use environmentally friendly substitutes for cleaning agents or the least hazardous products.

Resources

• Household Hazardous Waste
• Managing Your Household Chemicals (PDF)

Hazardous Spills

If a hazardous chemical is spilled call 911 for proper clean-up.

Recycling

For many years the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) has partnered with Fremont and Custer Counties as well as the Cities of Cañon City and Florence to provide a recycling program with bins located in many areas. Due to many factors beyond their control, UAACOG made the difficult decision to end the program as of October 7, 2020. The bins located around Cañon City have been removed.

Cañon City’s two local trash companies do provide recycling services for a fee. Listed below are the options that both offer.

Howard Disposal 
645 McDaniel Blvd, Cañon City 
(719) 275-6955

Howard Disposal offers curbside pickup of recyclables every other week for a fee which is charged on a quarterly basis. They will pick up only what is in the tote, items cannot be placed around the tote for pickup. They also allow citizens to bring recyclables to their facility at the above address and drop them off for free. The items must be loose when deposited at the facility; do not leave them in a garbage bag as the bags are not recyclable. Howard Disposal sorts the recyclables at their facility for processing. Be aware that only the recyclables from either drop-off or curbside pickup are sorted – Howard’s does not sort through household trash placed in garbage containers for recyclables. 

The following items are those which are acceptable for recycling:

• Aluminum, steel and tin cans
• Empty aerosol cans
• Cardboard – must be flattened
• Office paper, phone books, newspapers, junk mail and brown paper
• Paperboard such as cereal boxes and food packaging
• #1 and #2 plastics. The recyclable number must be on the item.

Twin Enviro Services 
(719) 372-6671

Twin Enviro also offers curbside pickup of recyclables every other week or once a month for a fee. They provide a 95-gallon tote for the recyclables to be placed in. Items do not need to be sorted before being placed in the tote, but plastic containers do need to be rinsed and lids removed. Recyclable materials can also be taken directly to their facility for a fee. Please call ahead to arrange for the drop-off. 

The following items are those which will be accepted for recycling:

• Aluminum cans and foil, steel and tin cans, pie tins
• Aerosol cans
• Newspaper (including inserts), mixed paper, phone books, magazines, bulk or junk mail, office paper and brown paper bags
• Corrugated cardboard
• Chip (paper) board such as cereal and tissue boxes, waxed milk cartons
• Plastics #1 - #7, yogurt containers, butter tubs, detergent and vitamin bottles and plastic milk jugs
• Glass jars

The following items cannot be placed in recycle totes:

• Plastic bags, plastic bottle caps or six-pack ring holders
• Glass jar lids
• Styrofoam/egg cartons
• Shredded paper
• Electronics
• Yard waste
• Paint, oil or any type of liquid Placing any type of liquid, especially oil or paint, may lead to contamination of the recyclable materials causing all materials to go to the landfill rather than be recycled.

Used oil may be taken to your local auto parts dealer for recycling. Twin Enviro may recycle paint, antifreeze, and electronics if contacted first to arrange dropoff.

Dumpsters

Keep trash picked up and don’t place liquids into garbage cans. Leaks from garbage dumpsters can result in excess nutrients and chemicals washing into the river. Other tips include:

• Business owners and employees should know their site, where storm drain inlets are located, and where stormwater runoff from their property goes.
• Do not place dumpsters near storm drain inlets or where runoff can pick up contaminants from the dumpster and carry them to a storm drain.
• Do not place liquids in the dumpster unless they are in closed leak-proof containers.
• Keep the lid closed on all dumpsters to prevent trash from blowing out.

Grease Management

Restaurants should have a separate leak-proof dumpster for grease and oil disposal. These dumpsters should have secondary containment around the dumpster such as a concrete berm to capture any spills.

Leaks and spills should be cleaned up immediately using absorbent pads or by spreading cat litter over the spill then sweeping up the absorbent and disposing of it in the garbage dumpster.

See the Grease Management (PDF) for more information.

Cigarette Butts

Did you know that cigarette butts are one of the most widespread forms of trash in storm drains and waterways? One estimate puts the annual amount in the U.S. as 90,000 tons! And it can take anywhere from 18 months to 10 years for it to decompose! Learn more by reading from the Environmental Protection Agency's website.

Septic Systems

For those who may have septic systems – make sure they are properly maintained. Leaking septic systems can release bacteria, other pathogens and nutrients which can be washed into drainages and eventually to the river. To get more information, see the following links:

• A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems (PDF)
• Homeowner’s Septic System Checklist (PDF)