At the Timberline Recycling Center you can drop off everyday recyclables—like bottles, cans, cardboard and glass—and safely dispose of hard-to-recycle materials such as electronics, batteries, paint, motor oil and wood waste.
The center offers free recycling in the Everyday Recyclables Yard and fee-based services in the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard.
The Everyday Recyclables Yard accepts bottles, cans, cardboard, glass and plastic bags. Recycling is free. The yard is open seven days per week, except during severe weather.
Hours:
- April–October: 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
- November–March: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Accepted Materials
Cardboard: Containers 1-3
Bring flattened cardboard no longer than 4 feet. Large loads can go to the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard on the west side of the center.
Accepted:
- Flattened corrugated cardboard no longer than 4 feet
- Tape and labels on cardboard
Not accepted:
- Single-layer paperboard (like cereal boxes)
- Long tubes and hard corner pieces
Low-Grade Mixed Paper: Containers 4-5
Accepted:
- Magazines and junk mail
- Newspaper and inserts
- Paperboard boxes (cereal, cracker, tissue boxes)
- Paper egg cartons
- Soft-bound books and telephone books
- Paper bags
- Paper tubes (paper towel and toilet paper rolls)
- Wrapping paper and packing paper (no metallic paper, ribbons or bows)
- Tissue wrapping paper (no glitter, ribbons or bows)
Not accepted:
- Paper plates, cups, napkins, towels and other single-use items
- Plastic bags
- Styrofoam
- Foil-backed paper, waxed paper, foil or parchment paper
- Pet food, charcoal or fertilizer bags
- TYVEK envelopes
- Frozen food boxes
Commingled Containers (Bottles/Cans): Containers 6-7
Do not crush cans or containers before recycling.
Accepted:
- Paper cartons, aseptic cartons and Tetra Pak (milk, juice, broth)
- Steel/tin cans
- Empty aerosol cans
- Aluminum cans
- Plastic bottles (soda, water), jugs (milk, laundry) and tubs (yogurt, dairy). No other plastic items accepted.
- Leave lids on plastic bottles and jars after emptying and rinsing.
Learn More About Plastic Recycling
NOT Accepted:
- Glass
- Styrofoam
- Plastic bags
- Motor oil/antifreeze bottles
- Compostable containers
- Rigid plastic containers larger than 2.5 gallons (like 5-gallon buckets)*
*Many of these can be recycled in the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard.
Glass: Containers 8-9
Accepted:
- Empty, clean glass bottles and jars (all colors)
- Labels are ok. Remove metal lids and place them in the bin separately.
NOT Accepted:
- Ceramics, bakeware and Pyrex
- Drinking glasses or window glass
- Mirrors
- Light bulbs
- Fish tanks or other durable glass items
- Non-glass containers
White Office Paper: Container 10
Accepted in this Bin:
- White office paper (black or colored ink is ok)
- White envelopes (windows accepted)
- Shredded white paper (loose)
If it's not listed here, don't put it in this bin.
Plastic Bags and Film
All materials must be clean and dry.
Accepted:
- Grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags and newspaper bags
- Air pillows and bubble wrap
- Industrial shrink-wrap (used to wrap pallets)
- Product wrap (plastic around paper towels and toilet paper)
- Zip-top food storage bags
- Plastic film labeled #2 HDPE or #4 LDPE
NOT Accepted:
- Pet food bags and compost/dirt bags
- Cereal box liner bags
- Food wrappers
- Vinyl bedding/quilt bags
First-Come, First-Served Mulch
Mulch from City forestry operations is available first-come, first-served for Fort Collins residents. Limited to one truckload per day. You must load the mulch yourself. Mulch is subject to availability and there is no set delivery schedule.
The Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard accepts electronics, batteries, paint, motor oil and more. A $5 entry fee applies, plus extra fees for some materials.
Hours:
- Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays
- Open Tuesday-Saturday, except during severe weather
- April-October: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- November-March: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Holidays Observed: Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
No-Entry-Fee Materials
There is no entry fee for residents dropping off ONLY the following materials. Commercial customers are welcome but may pay extra fees and have drop-off limits for some items.
Antifreeze
Residential use only. No commercial loads. Antifreeze must be free of contaminants. Containers are not recyclable and should go in your trash at home. Limit 5 gallons.
Batteries
The center accepts alkaline, lithium ion, nickel cadmium and car batteries from residents. Commercial customers cannot drop off batteries here. Use the Larimer County Business Hazardous Waste Program instead.
View Battery Recycling Information
Paint
Paint must be in labeled, non-leaking containers. Limit 30 gallons.
Accepted:
- Oil-based paint and enamel
- Latex paint (interior/exterior)
- Other coverings (deck coating, varnish, floor paint, primer, sealer, stains)
Not accepted:
- Aerosol paint or spray paint
- Art and craft paint
- Paint thinner
- Mineral spirits
- Solvents
- Paint additives
- Colorants or tints
- Resins
- Adhesives
Plastic Bags and Film
Large amounts of plastic bags and film can be recycled here for free. Smaller loads can go in the Everyday Recyclables Yard. All materials must be clean and dry.
Accepted:
- Grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags and newspaper bags
- Air pillows and bubble wrap
- Industrial shrink-wrap (used to wrap pallets)
- Product wrap (plastic around paper towels and toilet paper)
- Zip-top food storage bags
- Plastic film labeled #2 HDPE or #4 LDPE
Not accepted:
- Pet food bags and compost/dirt bags
- Cereal box liner bags
- Food wrappers
- Vinyl bedding/quilt bags
Used Motor Oil
Limit 5 gallons per visit. Residential loads only. No commercial loads. Motor oil must be free of contaminants.
Accepted:
Not accepted:
Motor oil containers are not recyclable. Take them home and put them in your trash.
$5-Entry-Fee Materials
There is a $5 entry fee for residents dropping off these following materials. Commercial customers are welcome but may pay extra fees.
Aggregates
Remove all metal and plastic. Limit 10 cubic yards.
Accepted:
- Concrete (no rebar)
- Brick
- Rock
- Tile
- Porcelain toilets and sinks (all hardware removed; no cast iron layer on sinks)
Baling Twine
Remove any chunks of hay or trash before dropping off.
Bulky Rigid Plastic
Bulky rigid plastics are plastic containers and items with a #2 (HDPE) or #5 (PP) symbol that are larger than what curbside recycling accepts. Remove all metals (screws, bolts, axles, pins, hinges, handles) and other non-plastic items before dropping off.
Accepted:
- Five-gallon buckets (metal handles removed)
- Laundry baskets
- Milk/beverage crates
- Plastic outdoor furniture
- Children's play sets (outdoor jungle gyms, slides, forts, playhouses) (metal parts removed)
Not accepted:
- Pipe made of PVC
- Inflatable furniture and pools
- Flower pots
- Small toys, cars, action figures
- Fifty-five-gallon drums or barrels
Cooking Oil
Limit 5 gallons per visit. Residential loads only. No commercial loads. Cooking oil must be free of contaminants like water or food scraps. No lard. Recycle empty containers in Container 6 or 7 in the Everyday Recyclables Yard or in your home recycling bin.
Fire Extinguishers
Extinguishers can be expired, empty or partially full.
Scrap Metal
Accepted:
- Wire, extension cords, holiday lights and other cables
- Small metal items (must be at least 50% metal)
- Lawn mowers, snowblowers and other small engine items (drain fluids first)
NOT Accepted:
- Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and other Freon-containing items
- Pressurized containers like propane tanks
- Items with circuit boards (recycle as electronic waste; fees apply)
$5 Entry Fee Plus Additional Fees
The following items require the $5 entry fee plus extra fees to recycle.
Electronic Waste
In Colorado, it is illegal to throw electronic items (TVs, computers, cell phones) in the trash. They contain toxic parts that harm human health and the environment if not handled properly.
Accepted Electronics and Fees
| Item |
Price* |
| Cell Phones & Landline Phones |
$0 |
| Cameras |
$0 |
| Stereos, Speakers and Sound Equipment |
$0 |
| Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Power Supplies |
$0 |
| Computer Peripherals (cables, keyboards, mice, speakers, external floppy drives) |
$0 |
| E-Reader Devices (Kindle, Nook, etc.) |
$5 |
| Desktops, Computers, CPU’s, Hard Drives |
$5 |
| Flat Screen Monitors |
$15 |
| Laptops |
$10 |
| Compact Printers, Fax Machines and Scanners |
$10 |
| Standing Floor Copiers |
$50 |
| Microwaves and Microwave Ovens |
$10 |
| DVD, VCR, CD and Cassette Players |
$0 |
| Console Televisions |
$50 |
| Flat Screen Monitors/Flat Screen Televisions (all sizes) |
$15 |
| LED / Plasma Televisions (all sizes) |
$20 |
| Projection Televisions |
$40 |
CRT/Tube Televisions:
- Smaller than 19 inches | $20
- 9-27 inches | $30
- 27-34 inches | $40
- Larger than 34 inches | $50
Sony Trinitron Televisions (Price higher due to unique composition):
- Smaller than 19 inches | $60
- 19-27 inches | $90
- 27-34 inches | $120
- Larger than 34 inches | $150
*In addition to the $5 entry fee
Wood Waste
Wood waste includes stumps, lumber, pallets, crates and other wood scraps. Extra fees apply along with the $5 entry fee. Wood must be untreated and unpainted. If you have loads larger than 3 yards, consider visiting other local drop-off locations.
Wood Waste is priced per cubic yard in addition to the $5 entry fee :
- Lumber (untreated and unpainted) — $11/cubic yard
- Scrap Wood (no plywood or composite board) — $11/cubic yard
Yard Trimmings
Yard trimmings include leaves, branches and grass clippings. Extra fees apply along with the $5 entry fee. If you have loads larger than 3 yards, consider visiting other local drop-off locations.
Yard Trimmings are priced per cubic yard in addition to the $5 entry fee:
- Leaves — $11/cubic yard
- Grass Clippings — $11/cubic yard
- Branches less than 2 inches diameter — $11/cubic yard
- Branches larger than 2 inches diameter — $11/cubic yard
Volunteer Opportunities
Passionate about recycling and waste reduction? Recycling Ambassadors help visitors at the Timberline Recycling Center, support recycling education at local events and research local recycling options. Volunteers are often onsite in the Everyday Recyclables Yard to help visitors unload materials and answer questions.
Interested in Becoming a Recycling Ambassador?
To learn more or ask questions, contact recyclingvolunteerprogram@fortcollins.gov.