When we think about recycling, the bathroom often gets overlooked. Yet, it’s a space filled with recyclable materials that often end up in the trash. With just a few simple changes, you can make a big impact on our environment here in Southern Colorado and farther.
At Mountain Disposal, we are a waste management company that cares about our natural resources and environment. While we don’t provide recycling services to residents and businesses in the San Luis Valley, rural Pueblo, Huerfano, and Custer County areas, we like to provide tips on how to better care for Earth.
Here are some quick tips to help you recycle smarter in the bathroom.
Separate and Sort
A lot of bathroom waste is recyclable, but it’s easy to toss everything into the trash out of habit. To avoid this, keep a small recycling bin in your bathroom. Use it for items like empty shampoo bottles, toilet paper rolls, and cardboard packaging from toothpaste or soap. Having a designated spot makes sorting much easier.
Look Beyond the Obvious
Recycling in the bathroom isn’t just about bottles and boxes. Don’t forget items like aerosol cans (think hairspray or shaving cream) and plastic containers for lotion or face wash. Just make sure they’re empty and rinsed out before recycling.
Avoid Wish-Cycling
Not everything in the bathroom belongs in the recycling bin. Items that are recyclable will have a triangle of arrows with a number in the middle of the triangle, indicating it can be recycled. If you’re not sure if an item is recyclable or don’t see the recycling icon, it’s best to toss it in the trash.
Items like used tissues, cotton swabs, and toothpaste tubes (unless specifically marked recyclable) are better suited for the trash. Wish-cycling—placing non-recyclables in the bin in hopes they’ll get recycled—can actually cause problems at recycling facilities. Non-recyclables can contaminate the recycling stream, damage equipment, and increase costs.
Check Local Rules
Recycling rules vary by location, so it’s a good idea to check what’s accepted in your area. Some programs accept specific types of plastic or mixed materials, while others don’t. Knowing the rules ensures you’re recycling correctly and helps reduce contamination in the recycling stream.
Repurpose When You Can
Before recycling, think about ways to repurpose bathroom items. Empty jars can become storage for cotton balls or makeup brushes, while old toothbrushes make great cleaning tools for hard-to-reach places. Reusing and repurposing items is a good way to keep items out of a landfill for as long as possible.
Choose Recyclable Products
When buying bathroom products, opt for items with minimal or recyclable packaging. Look for refillable options or brands that use eco-friendly materials. Small choices like these can make a big difference over time.
Many handsoaps, shampoos, and conditioners come in bulk containers, making it easy to refill smaller containers to use over and over. One larger container can keep several smaller containers from ending up in landfills.
Educate Your Household
Recycling is a team effort. Talk to your family or roommates about these bathroom recycling tips to ensure everyone is on the same page. The more people involved, the more effective your efforts will be.
Where to Recycle in Southern Colorado
While Mountain Disposal does not take recycling, we like to provide our community with information on your recycling options.
The Girl Scouts recycle aluminum every second Saturday from 9:00-10:30am at the Colorado City Swimming Pool parking lot located at 5000 Cuerno Verde Blvd, Colorado City, Colorado. You can find the schedule for this recycling here.
The Sangre de Cristo Volunteers for Change collect and recycle cardboard every second Saturday behind Valley Market from 9:00-10:30am. Information about this popular program can be found here.
The Colorado City Parks & Rec recycling program sells bags at the Metro office located at 4497 Bent Brothers Blvd, Colorado City, Colorado from Mon-Thur 7:30 am – 4:00 pm and Fri 7:30 am – 12:00 pm. You can drop off recycle bags of glass, plastic, newspaper, magazines, etc. at the unlocked gated area of the Colorado City Pool. Only Metro office bags are accepted, all bags must be tied, and unbagged items will not be accepted. Call CCMO at 676-3059 for questions.
Do you have questions about how Mountain Disposal can help you with your trash removal needs? Contact us today to learn more!