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Main Address: City of Longmont, 350 Kimbark Street, Longmont, CO 80501 | 303-776-6050 | Privacy Policy
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Waste Disposal

This page is to help Longmont residents find information on proper disposal of wastes.

Residents of Colorado are exempt from Colorado hazardous wastes regulations. Businesses have different regulatory requirements for waste disposal and should contact the Pollution Prevention Program for more information.

Aerosol Cans Automotive Antifreeze/Radiator Fluids Batteries Motor Oil All Batteries Electronics Computers Hazardous Wastes Lighting Wastes Ballasts Bulbs Medical Wastes Pharmaceutical/Medication Sharps Mercury Oil Cooking Motor Paint Latex or Water Based Lead Pesticides and other biocides Photography Wastes Root Killers Smoke Detectors Solvents	Can't find it on the list to the left? Look it up on the Ecocycle website.
	Tips to keep in mind: Before you buy, always check the label to see if the product is hazardous. Find out what the proper disposal is. Can another less harmful product be substituted? When you are done using the product, determine if the unused portion is still usable. For example, you have an unused gallon of paint. Don't throw it out. Schools and theatre companies may be able to use paint supplies. Check Public Works website for the next local household hazardous waste drop off event. Year round, Longmont residents may use the Boulder County Hazardouse Waste Facility located in Boulder. Please call (303) 441-4800 for more information.
	Links to Public Works Program and Events: Christmas Trees Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Landfill Free Drop-Off Day General information on Recycling Curbside Recyling Program Ecocycle location (Martin St.) Motor Oil and Automotive Batteries Trash Collection Yard Wastes -Curbside Leaf & Limb Collections, Limb Diversion Want more information added to this page? Send suggestions to: Pollution Prevention Program: (303) 651-8667 or email

 

Aerosol Cans

PROBLEM: Aerosol cans sometimes need to be disgarded before they are empty. The sprayer may be damaged, the propellent spent or the contents are no longer used.

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: For cans that contain hazardous wastes, contact Public Works to see if they can be dropped off at next Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event. Or, call Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center at (303) 441-4800.

OPTIONAL DISPOSAL: Aerosol cans can be placed in the trash.

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Automotive

Quick Links: Antifreeze/Radiator Fluids Batteries Oil

ANTIFREEZE/RADIATOR FLUIDS

PROBLEM: Radiator fluid (ethylene glycol) is poisonous. Used fluid can be contaminiated with heavy metals.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Never discharge radiator fluid to the storm sewer (those are the sewers that collect street run off). These sewers are connected directly to the St. Vrain River without treatment by the wastewater plant. So, if you dump your fluid in the street, it would be the same as if you just dumped it into our river;
• Never discharge radiator fluid to septic tank systems;
• When recycling, do not mix radiator fluids with other liquids (like used oil). This makes it impossible to recycle.

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Recycle at next Public Works' Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event. Or, call Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center at (303) 441-4800. Or, check with your local mechanic or oil change center.

OPTIONAL DISPOSAL: Longmont residents may discharge small amounts of antifreeze to the sanitary sewer. Commercial businesses cannot do this.

REPORT ILLEGAL DISCHARGES: If you notice that radiator fluid is being dumped in the street or storm sewers, please report it to the City of Longmont. The City will visit the area and ensure that businesses and residents understand the environmental impact and the local recycling options available.

MOTOR OIL

PROBLEM: Oil is flammable, causes sewer blockages and is a hazardous waste. Used oil can be contaminated with heavy metals or other pollutants.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Never discharge radiator fluid to the storm sewer (those are the sewers that collect street run off). These sewers are connected directly to the St. Vrain River. So, if you dump your oil in the street, it would be the same as if you just dumped it into our river;
• Never discharge oil to a septic tank systems;
• When recycling, do not mix oil with other liquids. This makes it impossible to recycle or reuse.

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Click here for updated information from Public Works.

REPORT ILLEGAL DISCHARGES: If you notice that oil is being dumped in the street or storm sewers, please report it to the City of Longmont. The City will visit the area and ensure that businesses and residents understand the environmental impact and the local recycling options available.

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Batteries

PROBLEM: Batteries contain heavy metals (lead, mercury, nickel, cadmium, lithium, silver, zinc and manganese) and corrosive electrolytic solutions that can pollute our environment.

BATTERIES USED IN CELL PHONES, PAGERS, COMPUTERS, CAMERAS AND OTHER ELETRONICS

• nickel-cadmium (NiCad)- hazardous waste, contain 10-15% cadmium
• silver-oxide, mercury-oxide, zinc-air, zinc-carbon, some alkaline - hazardous wastes, may contain significant amounts of mercury
• lithium- hazardous waste, core is reactive with other wastes
• lead acid- hazardous waste, contains lead and sulfuric acid.
• alkaline batteries- newer batteries contain less mercury (0.025% dry wt.) and are not considered a hazardous wastes; the boxes are labeled with this information.

CAR BATTERIES

• lead acid batteries are the most commonly used batteries for vehicles and boats. Each battery contains about 18 pounds of lead and one gallon of sulfuric acid solution (highly corrosive).

PREFERRED DISPOSAL:

Hazardous waste containing batteries- find a local recycler on the Ecocycle website. Also, more information about computer disposal.

Newer alkaline batteries that are not hazardous wastes may be thrown in the trash.

Car batteries- Click here for updated information from Public Works.

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Electronic Wastes

COMPUTERS

PROBLEM: 70% of the heavy metals found in U.S. landfills originate from electronics.

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: There are many local businesses that will accept old computers and batteries from residents. A complete and up to date list can be found in EcoCycle's website. Look under the "hard to recycle" listings.

Computer companies also offer "take-back programs". For more information on the programs, rebates and fees, check out the appropriate website:

Company	Take-Back Program
Apple	www.apple.com and search under "Apple recycles take-back program"
Dell	www.dell.com and search under "recycle"
Gateway	www.gateway.com and search under "recycle or reuse"
HP	www.hp.com and search under "product recycling"
IBM	www.ibm.com and search under "recycling service"

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Hazardous Wastes

PROBLEM: Hazardous wastes are products that need special treatment for disposal. If they are thrown in the trash or down the drain, they can have serious health and environmental impacts.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Never dispose of hazardous chemicals down the drain or in toilets. The wastewater treatment plant relies on biological activity to treat wastes. Sending hazardous chemicals down the drain can kill off microbes and cause major upsets at the treatment plant. Chemicals in the sewer can also cause hazardous conditions for our maintenance crews.
• Never dispose chemicals down the storm sewers or "street sewers". These flow directly into ditches and our river.

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Contact Public Works to see if the wastes can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event. Or, call Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center at (303) 441-4800.

REPORT ILLEGAL DISCHARGES: If you notice any suspicious materials being dumped in the street or storm sewers, please report it to the City of Longmont. The City will visit the area and ensure that businesses and residents understand the environmental impact and the local recycling options available.

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Lighting Wastes

BALLASTS

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Look at EcoCycle's website. Look under the "hard to recycle" listings.

BULBS

PROBLEM: Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury. Green tag and compact fluorescent light bulbs contain lower levels of mercury.

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Recycle compact fluorescent bulbs may be dropped off a local Ace Hardware stores.

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Medical Wastes

SHARPS

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Look at EcoCycle's website. Look under the "hard to recycle" listings.

OPTIONAL DISPOSAL: Place spent sharps in hard container that can be sealed. The container should be hard (plastic or other) to prevent accidental punctures. This can be disposed of to the trash.

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Paint

REPORT ILLEGAL DISCHARGES: If you notice that paint is being dumped in the street or storm sewers, please report it to the City of Longmont. The City will visit the area and ensure that businesses and residents understand the environmental impact and the local recycling options available.

LATEX OR WATER BASED

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Never pour paint down the sanitary or storm drain. Paint can cause sewer blockages.

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Wash water from cleaning brushes and rollers can go down the sanitary sewer.

Small amounts of paint may be allowed to dry out completely, sealed and thrown in the trash.

For larger amounts of unused pain, contact local schools and theatre companies for reuse.

LEAD BASED

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Contact Public Works to see if the wastes can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event. Or, call Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center at (303) 441-4800.

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Biocides

Biocides are chemicals used to control pests and weeds. These include pesticides, fungicides, weed killers/herbicides, etc.

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Contact Public Works to see if the wastes can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event. Or, call Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center at (303) 441-4800.

REPORT ILLEGAL DISCHARGES: If you notice that suspicious materials are being dumped in the street or storm sewers, please report it to the City of Longmont. The City will visit the area and ensure that businesses and residents understand the environmental impact and the local recycling options available.

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Photography Wastes

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Contact Public Works to see if the wastes can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event. Or, call Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center at (303) 441-4800.

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Root Killers

Can chemical root killers be used in sewer drains? There is currently no prohibition to residents using these types of chemicals. These chemicals usually are high in copper (which is highly toxic to trees and causes the roots to dye) but the volume from one use would not harm our wastewater treatment plant. However, you should read the label to make sure you use the proper protective equipment and to ensure that the chemicals do not cause harm to your pipes. These chemicals should not be used for septic systems.

For proper disposal of old chemicals, look under biocides.

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Solvents

PREFERRED DISPOSAL: Contact Public Works to see if the wastes can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event. Or, call Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center at (303) 441-4800.

REPORT ILLEGAL DISCHARGES: If you notice that suspicious materials are being dumped in the street or storm sewers, please report it to the City of Longmont. The City will visit the area and ensure that businesses and residents understand the environmental impact and the local recycling options available.

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Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors may contain small amounts of radioactive material, but not enough to be considered a household hazardous waste. Households can dispose of smoke detectors with their regular trash or contact the manufacturer to see if they have a take back program. Businesses should use always use hazardous waste disposal contractors.

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Back to Environmental Links.

Back to PWNR home page.

 

This page was updated November 21, 2012
City of Longmont Public Works & Natural Resources
Pollution Prevention