While many of us sit on our recyclable items, like a squirrel hoarding a winter nut stash, until we find a neighborhood or community recycling event, there is a year-round affordable alternative. Check out SustainAbility, a one-stop recycle site.
SustainAbility recycles hard-to-recycle items including paint, vegetable oil, electronics (from cell phones to dishwashers and washers/dryers), as well as traditional recyclables.
Here’s a guide to what they take. There are two hard-to-recycle (H2R) centers — one in Denver at 1270 S. Bannock and one in Arvada at 6240 W. 54th Ave. Maps and hours are here.
Although they accept the same materials at both of centers, fees differ for each site. There is a $2 per visit entrance fee at both sites. You can bring up to one car/pickup truck worth of recycling per visit. This charge is separate from any fees associated with special hard-2-recycle, paint and electronic items.
The H2R Denver Center uses a “single stream” (all sorts of items mixed together that you haven’t resorted) system. The entrance fee of $2 covers ONE bag of single-stream. Each extra bag is an additional fee of $2/each
Single-stream can only be dropped off in one in a special reusable bags. The bags may be purchased at the center for $2 each. You can bring back your reusable bag to the center repeatedly.
Many items are free to recycle, but others that contain hazardous materials or require special processing incur extra fees.
The H2R Arvada site entrance fee applies to one full car or pick-up truck of items. Again many items are free to recycle, with additional charges for some items.
You’ll find a detailed pricing list here.