As most of us living in the Denver area are aware, electronics are prohibited from being dropped off in a normal trash can, due to hazardous materials. It’s a real no-no. The same goes for paint. It can be a real hassle to dispose of these items, especially if you want them gone now, rather than waiting for a neighborhood recycling event. That said, a growing number of Colorado businesses and counties that recycle electronics or paint year-round for free or a small charge.
We’ve compiled a list of places and companies that will either pick-up or let you drop-off your stuff throughout the year. If you know of others we have missed, be sure to send an email to news@milehighonthecheap.com and we’ll do our best to get it added to the list.
Source: Depositphotos
Where To Recycle Electronics
Best Buy
Best Buy stores recycle all sorts of electronics and appliances for FREE. You can drop off up to three items per household per day. It doesn’t matter where you bought the item.
Their list of items accepted is huge and they will even take more usual things such as vacuums, hair dryers, curling irons and fans. You’ll find tons more information here. Best Buy does charge $29.99 per TV (both tube and flat screen).
Douglas County
Douglas County residents may recycle their electronics for FREE and year-round through December 30 at Techno Rescue, 3251 Lewiston St., Suite 10 in Aurora, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on select Saturdays from 10 am. – 2 p.m. (June 25, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 17).
To do so: Check-in at the Front Office and state the drop-off is for the Douglas County event. Proof of Residency will be required (photo id and verification of address such as driver’s license or state id).
You’ll find more information and a list of accepted and prohibited items here.
Onsite Consulting
Onsite Consulting offers a year-round service that is totally FREE. They have a year-round electronic recycling drop off at their location in the King Soopers center at Hampden and I-25. You can pull right up to their front door and drop off any laptop, desktop, cables and screens for FREE. No catch.
Hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 6446 E. Hampden Ave., Denver. Questions? Call 720-482-8383.
Retriever
Retrievr will pick up electronic device and accessories right from your doorstep. To take advantage of the doorstep pickup, residents in the city and county of Denver can go to Retrievr’s website.
You tell them what you are recycling and choose a pickup date. On that day, a truck will come to your house and take care of the rest.
Retrivr accepts most electronic devices or accessories. They will NOT take household appliances, such as dishwashers, refrigerators, toasters, vacuums, hair dryers and similar.
Check out their website for a list of unaccepted items.
Retrievr charges a $20 doorstep convenience fee, plus additional fees for items such as TVs and monitors. Sometimes the fee is waived for certain items, so you should check with the company.
Where To Recycle Paint
GreenSheen
GreenSheen will come to your house, pick up and recycle your old paint, stain, and varnish for FREE. They accept both oil and latex paints including interior and exterior paint, stains, shellacs, lacquers, sealers and varnishes. They do not accept spray paint, paint thinner, solvents or adhesives.
You must live in Arapahoe, Adams, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas or Jefferson counties in Colorado. And, you must have paint containers to be recycled that, combined, held at least 10 gallons to qualify for free pickup.
If you don’t live in these counties, or have less than 10 gallons for disposal, you can drop off your paint at their retail store at 1055 S. Jason St., Denver.
For more information, call 720-854-8722 or fill out this form to arrange a pickup day and time.
PaintCare
PaintCare is a FREE paint recycling program with more than 150 drop-off sites across Colorado, more than 50 in the Front Range alone. Drop-off sites are mostly paint and hardware stores.
They will accept all paint brands, regardless of where they were purchased. You can drop off most house paints, primers, stains, sealers and clear top coatings (varnish and shellac).
All sites accept up to 5 gallons per visit (some take more). Leaking, unlabeled and empty containers are not accepted.
Go here, to find your nearest drop-off location. Be sure to call ahead to confirm business hours and ask if they can accept the type and amount of paint you wish to recycle.