Beginning on Saturday, Sept. 28, the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) will offer an expanded drop-off site at 5030 “Old” Pearl St. This enhanced recycling service will be provided in an effort to address the unprecedented volume of electronic waste generated by recent flooding in Boulder.

The additional site is being made possible by a partnership between the City of Boulder and Eco-Cycle and will be available through Saturday, Oct. 5. All processing fees for flood-damaged materials from Boulder residents will be waived. Saturday volumes are expected to be high, so organizers recommend that residents plan to come on weekdays, if possible.htrm

“We are streamlining our system as much as we can to get people in and out,” said Dan Matsch, manager of Eco-Cycle and CHaRM. “Our top priority is to provide the community with a way to easily and properly dispose of flood-damaged items that should not go in the landfill or could be recycled, such as electronics, appliances with Freon and scrap metal.”

CHaRM will be open during its regular hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  All residents are directed to the main CHaRM site at 5030 “Old” Pearl St., one block north of Pearl Parkway off 49th Street.

CHaRM specializes in the recycling of “hard-to-recycle” materials such as:

·         electronics, including small appliances;

·         appliances containing Freon, such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners;

·         scrap metal;

·         large durable plastics; and

·         white block Styrofoam.

To be accepted for recycling, these items must be rinsed free of mud and cannot contain excess water. Wet paper and books cannot be recycled and must be composted or taken to a landfill. CHaRM cannot accept wet or moldy clothing or plastic bags. Visit www.ecocycle.org/charm for recycling guidelines and a more detailed list of items that CHaRM can accept.

Hazardous waste cannot be recycled at CHaRM and must be recycled at the Boulder County Hazardous Waste Management Facility at 1901 63rd St. Visit www.bouldercounty.org/env/hazwaste for information on hours and acceptable items.

–CITY–