There are no publicly run recycling options in Colorado Springs. General waste and recycling services are handled by private companies. In other words, you’ll have to pay more if you want a recycling bin to be collected with your trash. This is unfortunate, and undoubtedly contributes to our city’s low recycling participation rates. While there are no official statistics on recycling participation rates in Colorado Springs, the estimated average for Colorado statewide was 15.5% in 2023. That’s less than half the national average of 32%! I am almost positive the Colorado Springs recycling rate is less than the state average.
Still, there are many programs and organizations within the city that collect various types of recyclable materials. Depending on what service you’re using and what you’re recycling, it may be free to recycle items, you may have to pay a fee for items containing hazardous materials, or you might even get paid for items containing valuable scrap.
I’ve compiled this resource to try to make it as easy as possible for you to find the right place to recycle your items and improve our city’s low recycling rate.
General Household Recycling Service
Household recycling services generally include items such as glass bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard, certain types of plastic, and paper. These services are usually offered by trash or recycling companies, and function just like your typical trash company. You sign up for their service and a truck stops by every week to collect the recyclable items from your bin.
Many HOA neighborhoods will only allow you to use the service they’ve contracted with, so the trash goes out on the same day for everyone and garbage trucks aren’t coming through the streets all the time. In these cases, you may not have much choice, and will have to contact your HOA for details.
Here are several local disposal companies that include trash and recycling services.
CareFree Disposal
CareFree Disposal is another locally owned company. Their prices are competitive and they offer cheaper services for smaller households that don’t need as large of a trash can. It seems their Trash and Recycling services together start at around $30 to $36 a month, depending on can size.
CareFree disposal has mostly very positive reviews (almost 5-stars!) on Google Maps and Yelp.
Infinite Disposal
Infinite Disposal offers an identical service throughout the Springs with optional “Residential Rollout Service” where you don’t have to take your cans to the curb. Convenient! According to their about page, they’re a small family run business. I was not able to see pricing on their website at the time of writing so I suppose you’ll have to call to find out.
Infinite Disposal’s ratings are slightly lower than CareFree on Google and Yelp, but still a respectable 4/5 stars.
Republic Services
Republic Services currently offers a solid waste and recycling bundle for just under $27/mo if you sign a two year agreement. This is only slightly more than their $18.50/mo trash-only pickup service. They accept all standard recycling material (paper, plastic, glass, cans).
Republic Services has mostly very negative reviews on Google Maps and Yelp. I suppose they’re the cheapest for a reason.
El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
If you’d like to drop off your regular household recyclables you may do so for free at the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. They’re on the east end of town and accept all the normal types of household waste, in addition to certain hazardous materials that aren’t accepted elsewhere.
Recycling Specific Materials and Items
Now let’s take a look at some other items that cost more to recycle in Colorado Springs due to containing hazardous materials, and recyclables you can get paid for.
Recycling Metals & Aluminum
If you’re looking for good aluminum recycling head down to Koscove Metal on W. Colorado Ave. They accept all types of metals, but they’ll pay you for non-ferrous metals like aluminum, nickel, copper, and tin. Check out their website or give them a call to learn more. Stockpile enough and maybe you’ll get a decent payout!
If you run a business, they offer roll off service and can pay for all types of metals. They accept some forms of E-waste, but you might be better off leaving that to us, the E-Waste experts!
Recycling Your Computers & Electronics
Most household recyclers won’t accept electronics. So if you need to get rid of old or broken electronics, you’re already at the right place!
E-Tech Recyclers accepts all forms of electronic waste for recycling. Computers, laptops, tablets, monitors, hard drives, cables, printers, and even outdated components like graphics cards or power supplies are all accepted at E-Tech Recyclers. We provide secure data destruction with options for shredding or digital wiping, and we follow HIPAA-compliant handling procedures for devices containing sensitive information. If your equipment still has value, especially complete PCs or servers, we can even pay you for them.
Other local options like Goodwill accept limited types of electronics, but they don’t typically offer payouts or certified data destruction. At E-Tech, we make it easy to recycle responsibly, safely, and in a way that benefits both you and the environment. For a full list of everything we accept, check out the what we recycle page.
That said, there are several specific electronic-related items we don’t accept. You can find where to recycle them below.
Recycling Hazardous Items
The best place for most residential customers to recycle hazardous items is likely the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility I mentioned earlier.
They accept dangerous materials like mercury-containing smoke alarms or thermostats. They’ll accept small flat-screen and CRT TVs, computer components, medical sharps, and more. Most TVs these days are quite large (over their limits), so you can recycle them with E-Tech for a small fee. They accept chemicals, aerosols, non-leaking batteries, car batteries, and more. Review their website for the full list.
Note that you might be better off bringing your computing equipment to us rather than the county waste facility, as we’ll pay you for your old computers.
Recycling Fluorescent Bulbs
The mercury contained in fluorescent bulbs can make them dangerous to handle and dispose of properly. You should never throw fluorescent bulbs in the trash! You can recycle up to 100ft of bulbs per year with the county waste facility at no cost. Businesses can recycle with them too, but fees apply and you must properly schedule with them, so be sure to call.
In addition to the county household hazardous waste facility, you may safely dispose of fluorescent lighting by purchasing prepaid recycling kits online. Sites like EZ on the Earth and Amazon sell kits. You just buy the kit, they send you a box, you safely put your bulbs in them, and send them back for recycling.
Batteries Plus also accepts lighting for recycling.
Recycling Fridges, Freezers, Air Conditioners
There are only a few places in Colorado Springs that still accept fridges and freezers due to the high labor costs in handling and processing them appropriately. Urban Recycling accepts freon-containing items starting from $50 for small items to $100 for large items. Urban Recycling accepts other items like TVs, but since they charge by the inch, it’ll probably be cheaper to recycle TVs and other electronics with us.
Recycling Large Appliances
You can recycle your old stoves, ranges, microwaves, washing machines, and dryers at E-Tech Recyclers. We only charge ten dollars per appliance to cover the labor associated with running our forklifts and getting it hauled away. You may also schedule a pickup if you don’t want to drop it off.
Furniture Recycling
Most furniture can be recycled or donated for free, even if it’s not in the best condition.
The easiest way to get rid of your old furniture sustainably is probably by posting it on Facebook Marketplace. You can list it for free or low cost and someone will usually be by to pick it up shortly. This is especially helpful if it’s a large item you can’t move yourself. I’ve personally never experienced issues meeting people from Facebook Marketplace. However, be cautious of people you meet online, have a friend or family member with you during pickup, and if you’re uncomfortable – don’t go this route! Also, don’t fall for scams and give anyone who messages you any money. If you’re not sure how to do it, click here to check out this YouTube Video!
For small to medium-sized furniture like chairs, wardrobes, tables, and chests, you can normally drop them off at your nearest Good Will or thrift store.
If none of the above options work, Urban Recycling can take your old chairs, sofas, and beds. However, they do charge a fee.
Battery Recycling
Recycling batteries in Colorado Springs (or anywhere) can get a little complicated due to the many types of batteries, the strict regulations regarding their transport, and the risks of fire and environmental contamination due to the hazardous materials contained within some of them.
It’s very important that you look out for damaged batteries and recycle them differently than you would undamaged batteries.
Identifying & Recycling Damaged Batteries
Let’s examine some details about Damaged, Defective, or Recalled (DDR) Batteries. Before you recycle your batteries, review how to identify and store damaged batteries properly.
Swelling
Lithium-ion batteries in phones, tablets, and laptops can swell due to gas buildup from internal damage. Undamaged batteries are fairly hard and flat when touched. If they appear to be puffy, pokey, or pillow-like, they are damaged.
Leaking
Leaking lead-acid batteries may look different depending on how long they've been leaking. You may notice dark areas or a black sludge-like substance, or you'll see chalky blue or white material buildup around the terminals due to corrosion.
Dents
Batteries with scratches, punctures, dents, or other physical damage should be promptly removed and handled with care.
Remember to never puncture, charge, or use a damaged battery.
Handling Damaged Lithium Ion Batteries
To safely handle damaged lithium-ion batteries, always wear protective gloves.
When removing swollen batteries from devices, be extra careful not to accidentally puncture the battery. Especially if you have to unscrew it from the back of a laptop, for example.
Cover the battery terminals with tape, so they cannot make contact with other metal and spark.
Gently wrap the battery in an plastic antistatic bag (if you have one). If not, try a ziplock bag or similar.
Storage Instructions
Place the battery into an appropriately sized fire resistant container. Ideally some sort of metal box. Fill the box and completely encase the wrapped battery in an inch of vermiculite. You can find vermiculite at most home improvement stores or garden centers. Alternatively, clay-based kitty litter, dry sand, or baking soda could work in a pinch.
If you don’t have a metal box, a glass container would work well too.
You can also place them in fireproof fiberglass bags like this one I found on Amazon.
Label the bag appropriately so people know what’s inside it and store it in a safe cool place until you’re ready to properly dispose of it.
Where to Recycle Damaged Li-Ion Batteries
Recycling things like swollen laptop batteries or broken phone batteries properly is difficult to do locally here in the Springs. Not many places will accept these items due to the strict regulations requiring proper storage and transit of these devices. That said, there are still a few ways you can get rid of your old broken batteries without causing a fire or destroying the environment. Unfortunately, it’s going to cost a bit.
DDR Lithium Ion Battery Processing
Call2Recycle offers an online kit to recycle one damaged lithium ion laptop battery for just under $100. It includes prepaid shipping back to their processing center. If you have multiple defective batteries to process, they sell larger kits that are significantly more economical per unit.
There are other vendors out there selling similar kits but I’ve yet to find individual kits available for less than about $100. Most vendors sell larger kits meant for recycling several DDR batteries at a time.
Handling Damaged Lead Acid Batteries
Remember to wear gloves. Disconnect the battery from whatever it’s connected to.
Place the battery in a plastic or acid resistant tray with raised edges. Oil drip pans, plastic bins, or battery spill containment trays will work well for this, You can line the tray with baking soda, kitty litter, or sand to absorb and neutralize acid leaks. Do Not place the battery on bare concrete or metal.
If the acid has leaked onto any surrounding areas, sprinkle baking soda generously over the area and wipe with paper towels once the fizzing stops. Wash with water and more baking soda if needed.
Store the battery in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space away from heat sources, children, and pets.
Label the container “HAZARDOUS – Leaking Battery” or similar.
Where to Recycle Damaged Lead Acid Batteries
Most auto parts stores will accept leaking lead acid batteries, but they will likely require you to move the battery yourself – as it’s a risk to the employees. Follow the above instructions to safely remove leaking batteries.
You can also try recycling your leaking batteries at most battery stores, like Batteries Plus.
How to Recycle Non-Damaged Batteries
As long as your batteries are NOT leaking, swelling, or damaged, they should be fairly easy and inexpensive (or free) to recycle.
Check out this list of places that accept different batteries, by type.
Car Batteries – Lead Acid
Most places that sell new car batteries will take the old one from you for recycling. Check out your local automotive store.
Lead-Acid car batteries can be safely taken to the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste facility.
Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) Lead-Acid Batteries
E-Tech Recyclers accepts UPS batteries at our universal waste rate if they’re not damaged
We’ll accept just the batteries by themselves or with the whole power supply setup
Rechargeable Batteries: Nickel cadmium (Ni-cad) and Lithium ion (Li-ion)
Small rechargeable batteries like rechargeable AA, AAA, and some vape batteries are often nickel cadmium.
Cell phone batteries, and similar are often lithium ion.
You can recycle both types of batteries for free in the bins at Home Depot or Lowes.
Remember, they must not be damaged or defective!!!
Click here to locate a participating facility near you.
Laptop Batteries (Li-ion)
To recycle larger lithium ion batteries, tool batteries, and more, bring them down to us at E-Tech Recyclers. We accept all undamaged lithium ion laptop batteries, tool batteries, phone batteries, and more. Standard waste fees apply.
Alkaline Batteries
Alkaline batteries include most small non-rechargeable batteries like AA batteries, AAA batteries, D batteries, small cell batteries, etc.
These batteries don’t contain mercury anymore. According to the county website, they may be safely disposed of in the regular trash.
So what do you think? Is there anything I forgot to mention? Do you know a good local recycling service that accepts things listed on this page? We’d love to know!
Leave a comment or submit a message through our contact form.
Thanks for helping keep our natural environment safe, our air clean, and our city beautiful!
