Public Works Department |
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Household Hazardous Waste |
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Broomfield residents have two options for disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). First, the City and County of Broomfield typically hosts two one-day drop-off events each year—one in the spring and one in the fall. Broomfield residents are also welcome to use the year-round permanent Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF) in Boulder. Please bring a driver's license or other proof of residency. Through an intergovernmental agreement with the communities in the region, Boulder County operates the program. Please note that the HMMF DOES NOT accept electronic waste. The facility is regularly open from 8:30 a.m. to
4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. The facility is not open on public holidays. Reusable products are available
FREE OF CHARGE to the public during regular hours of operation. |
Residents should call the HMMF at 720.564.2251 for closure information before delivering any waste. To get more information on the Household Hazardous Waste Program, call the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division at 720.564.2220. |
What is Household Hazardous Waste?Many products used in the home, garage, and garden contain hazardous ingredients and need to be used and stored safely. These products include non-water-based paint, stain and varnish, motor oil, cleaning solvents, pesticides, weed killers, antifreeze, rechargeable batteries, gasoline, aerosol cans, waxes and wood preservative. Once these products are no longer needed, they become household hazardous wastes (HHW) that require proper disposal. It makes sense to collect HHW separately, thus keeping it out of landfills. This keeps garbage collectors and landfill
workers from being injured by exploding cans, splashed chemicals, fumes or fires created by mixed chemicals. It enables
some of the wastes to be recycled or used as energy-saving fuel. HHW should never be poured onto the ground or down the
gutter because it will wash into the storm drains. Water in the storm drains
flows directly into the streams, and
this can result in the pollution of surface water, groundwater, and wildlife habitat. Such wastes should not be flushed
into septic systems or into the sewer drains because this may kill the active bacteria in the wastewater processes. |
What should I do with my Latex Paint?Save yourself a trip to the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off by drying out or solidifying your spoiled latex paint and disposing of it with your regular trash. Latex paint is not hazardous and, once solidified, can be safely sent for landfill disposal. Here are some helpful tips for drying out paint (downloadable brochure):
Once the paint is completely solidified and dry, it can be thrown away with your regular, household trash. Be sure and leave the lids off so your waste hauler knows the can is dried-out. If the lids are left on, your waste hauler will not take it. The HHW program spends thousands of taxpayer dollars each year on disposing latex paint. In an effort to reduce program costs, we ask you to consider another option before bringing latex paint to the HHW Day. The HHW program will continue to accept latex paint if you are unable to dry it out. |
What should I do with my Household Batteries?Alkaline batteries come in many sizes and are commonly referred to as disposable or single-use batteries. Since the early 1990’s, manufacturers stopped adding mercury and cadmium to alkaline batteries, making them safe for landfill disposal. The majority of alkaline batteries are non-hazardous and can be safely disposed with household garbage. Alkaline batteries that are more than 15 years old should be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event. (downloadable battery information sheet) Button batteries often contain metals and other hazardous ingredients and should be returned to the manufacturer when purchasing a new battery. Many shops that replace watch and hearing aid batteries accept your batteries for recycling at no charge. You may also bring your button batteries to the HHW Day. Lithium batteries contain lithium metal compounds and should be recycled. Again, exchange lithium batteries at the time of replacement purchase or deliver them on HHW Day. Rechargeable batteries are environmentally preferable because they last longer and can be easily recycled. However, they contain metals and other hazardous ingredients and should NOT be disposed of with household trash. Exchange them at the time of replacement purchase or deliver them on HHW Day. Some rechargeable batteries look like alkaline batteries. However, they contain Nickel and Cadmium and should be recycled. If in doubt, bring them to the HHW Day. Car/Motorcycle batteries contain lead and acid and must be recycled. Many businesses
allow you to trade-in your old battery to avoid a fee (core charge). Lead-acid batteries can pose
serious dangers if disposed of with the household trash and should not enter the landfill. They may also be delivered
to the HHW Day. |
Is it true that Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL's) should not go in the trash?Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL's) contain a small amount of mercury and therefore should not be disposed of in your household trash. Check with the retailer where you purchase the CFL's to see if they offer a recycling service. You can also dispose of these as you would other Household Hazardous Waste materials, either at Broomfield's Household Hazardous Waste events scheduled in early May or early October each year, or at the Boulder Household Hazardous Waste facility. |
Tips to help reduce the amount of HHW generated:READ LABELS: Read and follow directions carefully! THINK SMALL: Use the correct amount of product recommended. For example with pesticide use, twice as much is not twice as effective and may be twice as toxic! NON-TOXIC ALTERNATIVES: Purchase the least toxic product available. Danger, Caution, Warning, Harmful, Poison, Toxic, Corrosive, Volatile, Flammable, Inflammable, Combustible or Explosive—these words should alert you to the hazardous nature of the product. Choose water-based products over solvent-based ones. Avoid aerosols if you can. Avoid products containing chlorinated compounds, petroleum distillates, phenols and formaldehyde. STORE PROPERLY: Always store products in their original containers with labels. Store unsafe products away from small children and pets. DON’T MIX: Some household products, when mixed, can form dangerous fumes or may become explosive. Never mix anything with products containing chlorine or ammonia. PLAN AHEAD: Buy only what you need to avoid or minimize waste. Don’t be tempted to buy a gallon if you only need a cup. Think about how you are going to dispose of any materials you have left over. Give leftover products to a responsible neighbor or friend who can use it up rather than throwing it out. |
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event
The next event will be October 6, 2012, by appointment only.Guidelines and Safety
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| ACCEPTABLE ITEMS | These items are NOT acceptable. | ||
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Boulder Facility Accepts HHW Year-Round Broomfield residents can take their household hazardous wastes* to the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility year round! There is no charge for this service. The facility is located at 1901 63rd St., immediately west of the Boulder County Recycling Center. It is open Wednesday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call the facility at 720.564.2251 or Boulder County Resource Conservation Division at 720.564.2220 for more information. *Electronic waste is NOT accepted at this facility. | |||
If you have additional questions or need more information, please call Shirley Garcia, Environmental Coordinator for Broomfield, at 303.438.6329, email her, or contact the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division at 720.564.2220. |
Related Links:
Boulder County Household Hazardous Waste Program or call 720.564.2251 for information |
