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Recycling and Waste Diversion

Recycling and Waste Diversion

Adams County does not provide trash and recycling services for residents. Residents can contact any licensed solid waste hauler to set up services.

As outlined in the Sustainable Adams County 2030 Plan, Adams County is committed to reducing landfilled waste. The Environmental Programs Division team supports this commitment through the following strategies:

  1. Ensuring all residents and businesses in unincorporated areas have access to recycling
  2. Providing information and resources on waste diversion and recycling
  3. Delivering cost-effective and convenient options to residents for hard-to-recycle items

For questions and information about recycling resources in Adams County, please contact:

Katie Keefe
Environmental Programs Manager
Email

Quick Links

Recycling

Curbside recycling is available to residents and businesses of unincorporated Adams County. Contact your trash collection provider to find out about costs, ask questions about what is recyclable, or to sign up for recycling service. At a minimum, recycling providers are required to accept the materials included on the Minimum Recyclables List, such as aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, food and beverage cartons, corrugated cardboard, empty aerosol cans, magazines, catalogues, mail, newspaper, office paper, paperboard (chipboard) and plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs labeled with resin identification #1, #2.

Solid waste haulers operating in unincorporated Adams County must be licensed and comply with county regulations.

Click here for a list of licensed solid waste haulers.

Not sure if you’re in unincorporated Adams County? Use this map to find out. The boundary of Adams County is indicated on the map and incorporated cities and towns are shaded with different colors. All other areas (areas without color shading) are unincorporated areas. If your residence or home is located within an incorporated (shaded) area, please contact your municipality for recycling service information.

 

2026 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off Voucher Program

The HHW Drop-Off Voucher Program offers a convenient and safe option to dispose of household chemicals at the Veolia Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Center located in Henderson. For a list of acceptable and unacceptable items, please visit Veolia’s website.

Program Guidelines:

  • Open to residents of unincorporated Adams County, Bennett, and Northglenn.
  • One (1) voucher per household that covers the $30.00 facility fee.
  • Resident is responsible for and agrees to pay the per pound fee upon drop-off.
  • Redeemable only at the Veolia HHW Recycling Center.

Facility Location: 9131 E. 96th Ave., Henderson

Scheduling: All drop-offs are by appointment only. Visit the Veolia website to schedule your drop-off during the hours of 8:00am – 4:00pm.

  • Feb – Apr; Nov – Dec: One Wednesday each month
  • May – Oct: Every Wednesday + 1 Saturday

Voucher Instructions:

Paint Recycling: Colorado’s PaintCare program makes it easy and convenient to recycle unwanted and/or leftover paint, primers, stains, sealers, and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. A searchable database of drop-off locations in Adams County can be found here.

2026 Electronics Recycling Drop-Off Opportunities

Date: Saturday, May 30,2026

Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: Thornton’s Infrastructure Maintenance Center 12450 Washington Street Use the north entrance at 126th Ave. & Ogden St.

Guidelines: Adams County residents may drop off televisions, computer monitors, DVD players, printers, and other electronics for recycling. There will be a fee of $15 per vehicle for all electronics up to one TV or computer monitor. A $25 free will be assessed for each vehicle carrying up to three TVs or monitors. Items will be recycled safely and responsibly to ensure a high level of data destruction for desktops, laptops, and other data containing equipment.

NOT accepted at the event: TVs and monitors with exposed tubes, anything that contains mercury, freon or other chemicals, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, thermostats, radioactive equipment, neon signs, alkaline batteries, light bulbs, trash, etc.

*Online registration will be available 6 weeks prior to event date.

Electronics Recycling Drop-off Days at Pedal Point

Dates: Weekdays, September 28 – October 9 and Saturday, October 3

Time: Weekdays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where: Pedal Point’s facility located at 3251 Lewiston St., Ste. 10, Aurora, CO (in Adams County)

Guidelines: Adams County residents may drop off televisions, computer monitors, DVD players, printers, and other electronics for recycling at Pedal Point’s facility. There will be a fee of $15 per vehicle for all electronics up to one TV or computer monitor. A $25 free will be assessed for each vehicle carrying up to three TVs or monitors. Items will be recycled safely and responsibly to ensure a high level of data destruction for desktops, laptops, and other data containing equipment.

NOT accepted at the event: TVs and monitors with exposed tubes, anything that contains mercury, freon or other chemicals, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, thermostats, radioactive equipment, neon signs, alkaline batteries, light bulbs, trash, etc.

*Online registration will be available 6 weeks prior to event date.

 

Preventing Food Waste & Organics Disposal Options

Organic materials comprise nearly 38% of the material sent to landfills in Colorado. Once food scraps, grass clippings, and other organic materials are placed in the landfill, they break down anaerobically (without the presence of oxygen) and generate a potent greenhouse gas knowns as methane. Reducing food waste and limiting the amount of yard debris that ends up in the landfill are two great ways that Adams County residents can reduce their environmental impacts. Here are some potential options for limiting the amount of organic waste you generate and options for composting:

Prevent Food Waste

Roughly one third of all food in the US goes uneaten. Preventing food waste in the first place is the number one way to keep valuable food out of Colorado Landfills.

Curbside Compost Collection Service

Compost collection service for food scraps and/or yard debris may be available at your home. Browse a list of solid waste haulers licensed to operate in unincorporated Adams County.

Backyard Composting

Creating space for composting at home can is an effective way to reduce the amount of yard and food waste your household sends to the landfill. Many resources are available from the Colorado State University Extension to help guide new composters.

Worm Composting (Vermicomposting)

For those without outdoor space to compost, indoor composting using red wiggler worms can be a fun and practical way to achieve similar waste reduction impacts. Vermicomposting systems can be established with homemade bins or commercially available containers.

 

Other

Appliances

When purchasing new household appliances, ask the retailer about take-back and recycling programs. This is often a more convenient and less costly option.

Several local vendors will accept appliances in good working condition for reuse. Many appliances can also be taken to scrap metal recyclers. Refrigerants such as Freon or CFCs must be removed from fridges, freezers, air conditioners, etc. by a certified CFC technician prior to recycling. Always call ahead to confirm items accepted, fees, requirements, hours, and location.

Furniture

Many area thrift stores and community organizations accept furniture for reuse and resale. Always call ahead to confirm items accepted, pricing, hours, and location.

Some items not suitable for reuse, such as mattresses, may be recycled. Fees do apply. Always call ahead to confirm items accepted, pricing, hours, and location.

Most licensed junk haulers will remove large, bulky items such as furniture and appliances from your home for donation or recycling.

Medication

Medications including over-the-counter and prescription pills should be safely disposed of when they are no longer needed. To protect people and the environment, medications should not be flushed down the drain or put in the trash.

Colorado Household Medication Takeback Program (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment)

Needles and Sharps

Needles and other ‘sharps’ should be safely disposed of once used and should never be placed in the recycling.

Colorado Household Sharps Takeback Program (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment)

Tires are prohibited from landfill disposal in Colorado. Most automotive tire businesses will accept tires for a small fee and some municipalities periodically host tire collection events.

 

Businesses

Curbside recycling is available to all residents and businesses of unincorporated Adams County. Contact any trash collection provider serving unincorporated Adams County to find out about costs, ask questions about what is recyclable, or to sign up for recycling service. At a minimum, recycling providers are required to accept the materials included on the Minimum Recyclables List, such as aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, food and beverage cartons, corrugated cardboard, empty aerosol cans, magazines, catalogues, mail, newspaper, office paper, paperboard (chipboard) and plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs labeled with resin identification #1, #2.

Solid waste haulers operating in unincorporated Adams County must be licensed and comply with county regulations. View a list of licensed solid waste haulers.

Not sure if your business is in unincorporated Adams County? Use this map to find out. The boundary of Adams County is indicated on the map and incorporated cities and towns are shaded with different colors. All other areas (areas without color shading) are unincorporated areas.

If your business is located within an incorporated (shaded) area, please contact your municipality for recycling service information.

Looking for more business-related sustainability resources? Check out the Colorado Green Business Network.