So, you’ve been decluttering but now you’ve got these weird random items that need to be disposed of properly and you’re at a complete loss… This is for you!
I went through the El Paso County recycling/resource information and put together a big reference guide covering recycling, donation, reuse, hazardous waste, yard waste, electronics, mattresses, tires, furniture, clothing, household items and more.
El Paso County’s current household recycling program accepts:
• Clean, flattened corrugated cardboard (OCC)
• Food & beverage glass
• Aluminum cans
• Tin cans
• Newspaper
• Office paper, no smaller than 8½ × 11″
🚫 NO plastic, foam or paperboard, and nothing outside those six accepted materials.
📍 3255 Akers Dr., Colorado Springs
Current recycling hours:
• Wednesdays: 8:30 AM–Noon
• 2026 Saturday dates: September 19 & November 7, 8:30 AM–Noon
Proof of El Paso/Teller County residency is required.
Don’t put potentially hazardous materials in your regular trash or down the drain.
This can include:
• Paint
• Household chemicals
• Batteries
• Automotive products
• Cleaning products
• Certain propane tanks
• Fluorescent lights
• Other household hazardous materials
📍 El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste
3255 Akers Dr., Colorado Springs
Current 2026 hours:
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
• 8:30 AM–Noon
• 1:00–4:00 PM
Additional Saturday dates:
• September 19, 2026
• November 7, 2026
• 8:30 AM–Noon
Appointments are not normally required, but are required for 50+ items or business waste.
BATTERIES
Possible recycling options include:
• Call2Recycle
• Batteries Plus Bulbs
• El Paso County HHW
• Battery recycling specialists
• Other participating collection locations
⚠️ Battery type matters. Don’t assume every battery goes to the same place.
ELECTRONICS & TELEVISIONS
Possible options include:
• El Paso County programs
• E-Tech Recyclers
• Galvanize Recycling
• American Iron & Metal / Western Scrap
• Electronics recycling specialists
• Clean Sweep events for qualifying large TVs
CELL PHONES
Possible options include:
• Call2Recycle
• ecoATM
• Cell Phones for Soldiers
• Secure the Call
• TESSA
• Specialty phone recyclers
Before recycling, remember to remove personal information and reset the device.
INK & TONER
Possible options:
• E-Tech Recyclers
• Galvanize Recycling
• Participating office-supply stores
• Manufacturer mail-in programs
Retailer participation can vary by location, so call first.
BOOKS & MAGAZINES
If they’re still usable, donation/reuse is usually preferable to recycling.
Possible options include:
• Friends of the Pikes Peak Library Bookstores
• Little Free Libraries
• Local libraries
• Community organizations
• Book donation programs
PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS
Plastic shopping bags generally do NOT belong in curbside/regular household recycling.
Look for participating grocery stores and retailers with plastic-film collection bins.
If you can’t recycle them, reuse them for:
• Small trash cans
• Pet waste
• Packing
• Garage projects
• Vehicle cleanup
• Community cleanups
PAINT
Possible options include:
• El Paso County HHW
• PaintCare participating locations
• Other participating paint-recycling locations
🔗 PaintCare:
https://www.paintcare.org/
⚠️ Paint type and quantity matter. For very large quantities, check the current rules before going.
FLUORESCENT LIGHTS & BALLAST
Possible options include:
• El Paso County HHW
• Batteries Plus Bulbs
• Galvanize Recycling
• Other specialty recycling programs
⚠️ Fluorescent materials may contain mercury. Handle carefully.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Possible options include:
• El Paso County HHW
• Fire-safety companies
• Specialized fire-extinguisher recyclers
Call first to verify acceptance.
PROPANE & GAS CYLINDERS
El Paso County HHW currently accepts certain propane cylinders, including qualifying 1-lb camping and 20-lb BBQ tanks.
Other cylinders may require a specialty recycler.
🔗 Current HHW rules:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/environmental-division/household-hazardous-waste/
🚫 Never put pressurized cylinders into ordinary recycling.
FURNITURE & HOUSEHOLD GOODS
If it’s clean and usable, try donation before disposal.
Potential organizations include:
• ARC Thrift Stores
• Discover Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores
• One Nation Walking Together
• Partners in Housing
• Silver Key
CLOTHING & TEXTILES
Possible options include:
• H&M textile recycling
• Blue Jeans Go Green
• Bra Recyclers
• TerraCycle programs
• Habitat ReStores for qualifying materials
• Textile recycling programs
Clean, wearable clothing should generally be reused or donated before being recycled.
TOWELS, BLANKETS & LINENS
Don’t automatically throw old towels and blankets away!
Animal organizations may need:
• Towels
• Blankets
• Sheets
• Fleece throws
• Rugs
• Bath mats
Places to Consider:
• 9 Lives Rescue
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
• Forgotten to Forever Rescue
• Happy Cats Haven
• Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
• Look What the Cat Brought In
• Safe Place for Pets
• Wild Blue Cats
⚠️ Call first. Each organization has its own needs.
MATTRESSES & BOX SPRINGS
El Paso County has a 2026 mattress recycling voucher program.
📅 Current fall drop-off period:
September 8–October 9, 2026
📍 Urban Recycling
3341 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
The program requires registration and a county voucher.
• Up to 4 pieces per voucher
• One voucher per household per year
• Household use only
• Proof of El Paso/Teller County residency required
🔗 Current Mattress Recycling Program:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/clean-sweep-mattress-only-recycling/
TIRES
The county’s 2026 Clean Sweep tire events have concluded.
If you need to dispose of tires now, contact the county for alternate options or check the current directory.
🔗 Current Tire Information:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/clean-sweep-tvs-and-tires/
YARD WASTE
El Paso County currently sponsors residential yard-waste collection at Rocky Top Resources every Saturday.
📍 1755 E. Las Vegas St., Colorado Springs
Current fee: $10 per load
💵 Cash or check only.
Accepted materials include:
• Branches
• Leaves
• Weeds
• Grass clippings
• Plant prunings
• Fruit & vegetable trimmings
• Pine needles — additional fees apply
🚫 NOT accepted:
• Railroad ties
• Treated lumber
• Tree stumps
• Household trash
• Sod
• Dirt
• Topsoil
Branch limit: 8 feet long / 8 inches diameter
🔗 Current Yard Waste Information:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/recyclables-program/
BLACK FOREST SLASH & MULCH
Seasonal programs are available for qualifying tree and brush debris.
Because dates, fees and operating conditions can change, check the county’s current program page before heading out.
🔗 Black Forest Slash & Mulch:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/environmental-division/black-forest-slash-mulch/
CHRISTMAS TREES & LIGHTS
Christmas trees are handled through seasonal recycling/mulch programs.
Christmas lights may be accepted by scrap-metal or specialty recycling programs.
Before recycling please remove:
• Lights
• Ornaments
• Tinsel
• Stands
• Decorations
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Possible reuse/recycling options include:
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores
• Colorado Aggregate Recycling
• Galvanize Recycling
• Martin Marietta
• Rocky Top Resources
• Specialized construction recyclers
If building materials are still usable, reuse/donation is usually the better option.
PALLETS, SHRINK WRAP & INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS
Specialty recyclers may accept:
• Pallets
• Cardboard bales
• Shrink wrap
• Industrial packaging
Many of these programs are business-oriented.
Call before loading up.
CDs, DVDs & VHS
Possible options include:
• Specialty media recyclers
• Galvanize Recycling
• TerraCycle programs
• Reuse/resale organizations
If the media still works, donation or resale may be better than recycling.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Usable medical equipment may be donated rather than thrown away.
Possible organizations include:
• Mission Medical Center
• Project C.U.R.E.
• Silver Key
• Tri-Lakes Cares
• Hearing Aid Project
Repair/recycling options also exist for certain equipment.
SHARPS
Never put loose needles into recycling.
Possible options include:
• El Paso County HHW for qualifying household sharps
• Approved sharps collection programs
• Authorized medical-waste services
Use an appropriate sharps container.
MEDICATIONS
Use authorized medication take-back programs rather than putting medications down the drain or casually throwing them away.
• Some Walgreens Locations (Call to verify first)
• Some Safeway Locations (Call to verify first)
EYEGLASSES
Usable glasses may be donated through:
• Optical centers
• Vision organizations
• Participating collection programs
Call first to confirm participation.
SHOES
Possible options include:
• Soles4Souls
• DSW donation programs
• Fleet Feet for qualifying running shoes
• Textile/reuse organizations
Wearable shoes are best reused rather than thrown away.
NURSERY POTS
Some nurseries and garden centers accept reusable nursery pots.
Call before dropping them off.
STYROFOAM / FOAM
🚫 Do NOT put Styrofoam in the county household recycling.
Specialty options may exist for clean, qualifying packaging foam.
Acceptance is very specific, so verify before making the trip.
SHREDDING
Possible services include:
• Office Depot
• Staples
• Shred America
• Vital Records Control
• Community shredding events
Some banks and credit unions also host occasional shredding events.
SMOKE ALARMS
Some specialty programs accept smoke alarms for mail-in recycling.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions or a current specialty recycling program before disposing of one.
JUNK MAIL
Reduce it before you have to recycle it!
Look into:
• DMAchoice
• Valpak
• Yellow Pages opt-out options
JUNK REMOVAL / HAULING
Examples include:
• 1-800-GOT-JUNK
• Junk King
• Junk Removed Now
• Moon Junk Removal
• Pam & Dan’s Hauling
• Pikes Peak Junk Removal Services
• Preferred Roll Off Services
• Sherpa Guys
• SOC0 Waste & Recycling
• Trashworx
⚠️ Not every hauler accepts hazardous waste, electronics or other restricted materials.
LANDFILLS & TRANSFER STATIONS
El Paso County and surrounding communities have multiple transfer stations and disposal facilities.
Always check what a facility accepts before going. Transfer stations are not automatically recycling centers, and prohibited-material rules vary.
BEFORE YOU THROW SOMETHING AWAY
Ask yourself:
Can someone else use it?
❤️ Donate it.
Can it be repaired?
🔧 Fix it.
Can it be reused?
🔄 Give it another job.
Can it be recycled somewhere special?
♻️ Find the right program.
Is it hazardous?
☣️ Take it to an appropriate hazardous-waste program.
Only then: 🗑️ dispose of it.
🔗 El Paso County Recycling Directory — 2026:
https://epc-assets.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/Recycling-Directory-2026.pdf
🔗 El Paso County Recycling Programs:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/recyclables-program/
🔗 Household Hazardous Waste:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/environmental-division/household-hazardous-waste/
🔗 El Paso County Environmental Division:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/environmental-division/
🔗 Clean Sweep — TVs & Tires:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/clean-sweep-tvs-and-tires/
🔗 Mattress Recycling:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/clean-sweep-mattress-only-recycling/
🔗 Black Forest Slash & Mulch:
https://communityresources.elpasoco.com/environmental-division/black-forest-slash-mulch/
📞 El Paso County Environmental Services: 719-520-7878
📧 EVS-EPC@elpasoco.com