Here's what you can recycle in Pueblo and why you should - Pueblo Chieftain

Here's what you can recycle in Pueblo and why you should

Here's what you can recycle in Pueblo, where you can do it, and why you should
James Bartolo

From aluminum cans to old washers and dryers, a plethora of seemingly useless items in Pueblo households can find a new life through recycling.

Pueblo RecycleWorks, 1595 Stockyard Road, accepts flattened cardboard, paper, certain plastics, glass, aluminum and steel items. Businesses like Roots Recycling and C & C Disposal accept similar items and offer curbside recycling services for a fee to residents and local businesses.

Other businesses may offer recycling and disposal options for specific items ranging from antifreeze to yard waste. A full list of local businesses with recycling options and the items they accept may be found in the 2022 Recycling Guide on the Pueblo County website.

Here's what to know about recycling in Pueblo.

Know which items can be recycled and 'think upstream' before buying

For those looking to be better environmental stewards, it is important to know which items are recyclable in Pueblo, according to Sarah Joseph, public information officer for the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.

"They say to 'think upstream'... The upstream is, I am going to the grocery store: I want to make sure I am buying items that are packaged with materials that I can recycle locally," Joseph said.

Pueblo Recycleworks is currently accepting two types of plastics. No. 1 plastics include single-use water and soda bottles, while No. 2 plastics include detergent bottles and milk jugs. High density No. 2 plastics may even be used to make benches, planters and trash bins.

Where to recycle paint, appliances and other large items in Pueblo

Items like aluminum cans, cardboard, glass, office paper and steel cans may be the obvious "low-hanging fruit" of recycling, but they are certainly not the only items that can be recycled locally, Joseph said.

Southern Colorado Services and Recycling, 1731 N. Erie Ave., accepts new and used paint to redistribute to Southeastern Colorado residents. 3R Technology Solutions, 1045 S. Santa Fe Ave., recycles items like laptops, cellphones, desktops, microwaves, Christmas lights, stereos, small monitors and refrigerators.

City of Pueblo residents may purchase vouchers at the city's Department of Public Works building, 211 E. D St., to drop off large items and tires at Pueblo Recycleworks. Large items accepted include box springs, chairs, clean toilets and sinks, dishwashers, dryers, mattresses, sofas, stoves, tables and washers. There are annual limits for the number of tire and large item vouchers that may be purchased by people living at the same address.

Local businesses offer curbside recycling pickup of several items

Puebloans looking to recycle without the hassle of dropping items off can pay a fee for curbside recycling services.

C & C Disposal, 1401 Quartz St., provides customers with a 96-gallon container to fill with recyclable items. They also provide free drop-off services. Roots Recycling, 20 Environmental Place, gives customers a green bag for aluminum, glass and metal items, along with an orange bag for paper and plastics.

More details about curbside recycling at C & C Disposal and Roots Recycling can be found on their respective websites. Details about recycling in general may be found on the city of Pueblo website.

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

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