Managing Hazardous Waste at Home

Flares, explosives, and ammunition should never be placed in the trash. Never transport these items directly to local landfills or police stations on your own. Instead, contact the Denver Police Department (non-emergency: 720-913-2000) or your local fire department first.

If you discover asbestos in your Denver home, remain calm and avoid disturbing it.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Stop All Work: Cease any sawing, drilling, sanding, or demolition activities in the affected area without delay.
2. Restrict Access: Ensure that family members and pets stay away from the contaminated space.
3. Do Not Clean It Up: Avoid sweeping, dusting, or vacuuming near suspected asbestos, as this can exacerbate airborne fibers.
4. Assess Damage: Visually inspect the material. If it remains intact and undisturbed, the safest course of action is to leave it alone.
5. Get It Tested: Since you cannot identify asbestos visually, hire a state-certified inspector to take a sample and conduct laboratory tests.

Hiring Local Experts

According to Colorado state law (Regulation 8), most abatement projects require permits and oversight. Seek certified, licensed professionals.

• Find an Inspector: Check the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Asbestos Directory for a list of certified asbestos building inspectors and approved abatement contractors in the Denver Metro area.

How to Package and Dispose of Dressings

• Double-Bag Small Items: Place all soiled bandages, gauze, wound dressings, disposable sheets, and gloves into a plastic trash bag. Squeeze out the air and tie it securely.
• Seal Larger Items: For larger contaminated items, such as soiled garments or linens, wrap them thoroughly in sheet plastic, ensuring all edges are tightly sealed with robust tape (like duct tape).
• Check the Exterior: Ensure that the outside of the garbage bag or plastic wrap is completely clean and free from visible blood or fluid contamination.
• Store Safely: Keep the sealed waste completely out of reach of children and pets until collection day.
• Toss on Collection Day: Place the securely packaged waste into your regular trash bin on the morning of your scheduled pickup day or take it directly to a licensed landfill. Never dispose of medical waste in your purple recycling or green compost carts.

What Not to Put in the Trash

If your medical care involves items beyond just bandages, be aware that different regulations apply:

• Sharps and Needles:
  • Do not dispose of loose needles, syringes, or lancets in trash or toilets.
  • Place them in a puncture-proof container (e.g., heavy-duty detergent jug).
  • Seal with tape and label “SHARPS.”
  • Dispose of in regular trash when the container is ¾ full.

To learn more about sharps disposal, visit the City and County of Denver Safe Sharps Disposal website.

In the City and County of Denver, CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and fluorescent tubes must never be placed in regular trash or recycling bins because they contain small amounts of mercury.

Best Disposal Options for Denver Residents (2026)

• Ace Hardware (CFLs only): All 104 Colorado Ace Hardware locations offer free drop-off for used CFLs and mercury thermostats.
• Home Depot & Lowe's (CFLs only): Most locations have recycling bins near the entrance for CFL bulbs, usually located in the lighting department.
• Blue Star Recyclers (CFLs & Tubes): Located at 953 Decatur St, Denver, this center accepts both CFLs and long fluorescent tubes for a fee. Denver residents can register for an e-cycle coupon program to receive a discount.
• Region 8 Enviro LLC (CFLs & Tubes): Located at 3660 E 40th Ave, Denver, they specialize in hazardous waste recycling.
• Denver Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program: City residents (units of 7 or fewer) can schedule a pickup for a $15 co-payment.
• Rooney Road Recycling Center (Golden): Accepts household hazardous waste from Denver residents, usually by appointment.

Important Notes

• Tubes vs. Bulbs: Most stores accept twisty CFL bulbs but not long tube lights; use specialty recyclers like Blue Star or Rooney Road for tubes.
• Broken Bulbs: For broken bulbs, avoid using a vacuum; sweep debris, place in a sealed jar or bag, and take to a hazardous waste facility.

For the most current list of retailers, use the Earth911 locator and search for "fluorescent tubes"

Because fire extinguishers are pressurized and contain corrosive or hazardous chemicals, they can explode in trash trucks or harm the environment. Never put them in regular trash or recycle bins. To properly dispose of one, you must take it to a specialized hazardous waste facility.

Option 1: Drop Off at a Hazardous Waste Facility (Easiest & Safest)

You can drop off old, charged, or empty fire extinguishers at specialized local facilities, though some charge a small disposal fee.

• Sentry Fire and Safety (Now Pye-Barker Fire & Safety): 1294 S Inca St, Denver, CO or 4800 W 60th Ave, Arvada, CO
• Cintas Fire Protection: 3745 E 50th Ave, Denver, CO (Call 303-321-0345 to confirm current drop-off hours and fees).
  
  

Option 2: Empty and Recycle It Yourself

If you want to dispose of a disposable extinguisher in your regular trash, you must completely relieve the pressure first.

1. Discharge: Go to a well-ventilated outdoor area, wear protective eyewear, pull the pin, squeeze the handle, and release the agent into a sturdy trash bag.
2. Depressurize: Let the canister sit for a few days, then press the handle to ensure the gauge reads zero.
3. Remove the Head: Detach the head/nozzle to show it's empty and depressurized.
4. Recycle: Recycle the empty, headless canister at a local scrap yard.

If you're uncertain whether an extinguisher is disposable or rechargeable, a helpful guideline is that disposables are typically made of red plastic or aluminum, while larger rechargeable models are generally crafted from brass or steel. This distinction can assist you in deciding if you can recycle the tank shell after it has been depressurized.

Colorado Medication Take-Back Pilot Project is a network of secure boxes for the collection of unused and unwanted household medications such as prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications and controlled substances. Please follow link to find a location near you. 

Many pharmacies and law enforcement centers in the Denver metro area feature safe, anonymous drop-off kiosks.

• Pharmacies: Major chains like CVS and Walgreens feature secure bins near the pharmacy counter. You can use the CVS Store Locator to find your closest participating branch.
• Hospitals: Denver Health offers collection bins at seven of its full-service pharmacy locations.
• Police Stations: Unwanted medications can be taken to Denver Police District stations.

Find More Locations: Use the Take Meds Seriously Safe Disposal Locator to find an exact drop-off box near your ZIP code.

Never place full or partially full spray cans into your trash or recycling.  This could result in accidental exposure to Solid Waste Management employees or recycling processors.

If you prefer to dispose of the spray yourself, you can safely empty the canister:

• Find a safe location: Go to an outdoor area well away from people, pets, and buildings.
• Empty the can: Stand downwind, direct the nozzle toward the ground, and press the trigger until the can is completely empty and depressurized.
• Discard the empty can: Wrap the fully emptied canister in several layers of newspaper or seal it in a plastic bag, and place it in your regular trash.

There are many retailers across the Denver metro area that provide free drop-offs for a variety of battery types. Find your closest drop-off for safe battery recycling by searching The Battery Network’s locator.   

Batteries are increasingly present in our daily lives, and in our waste streams. Some batteries are prohibited from disposal in our curbside collection programs and require special programs for disposal. Others are not hazardous but still may react with items in the trash stream, causing fires in our collection vehicles and facilities.   

Most batteries can be recycled and contain valuable resources. When batteries are handled the right way, it prevents fires, protects our communities, and recovers valuable materials that can be used again.  

Common batteries include primary batteries like alkaline and lithium (AAA, AA, C, D, 9V), coin or button cell batteries, rechargeable batteries, medium-format and high energy batteries (appliance batteries), items with embedded batteries, and e-bike batteries.