Did you know you could cause environmental hazards by tossing the wrong item into your trash can at home? At Mountain Disposal, we’re here to make trash disposal convenient for our customers in Rye, Colorado City, San Isabel, Wetmore, Beulah, Walsenburg, Cuchara, LaVeta, the San Luis Valley, and the communities of Navajo Ranch HOA, Red Creek Ranch HOA, and Eagle Ranch HOA. Our 95-gallon trash containers are available for curbside pickup, designed specifically for everyday household trash that is bagged and securely tied.

In this post, we’ll cover what you can safely put in your curbside trash container, items that require different disposal methods, and the reasons for following these guidelines to ensure efficient service and community safety.

What You Can Put in Your Weekly Curbside Trash

Curbside trash service is designed to handle typical household waste, including items from kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. Here’s a list of items you can confidently place in your Mountain Disposal curbside trash container:

1. Food Scraps and Food Packaging

• Leftover food, vegetable scraps, and other food waste are fine to include, as long as they are bagged. Food packaging, such as plastic wrappers, snack bags, and cartons, can also go in the trash.

2. Non-Recyclable Plastics

• Items like plastic bags, plastic utensils, cling film, and styrofoam products are generally non-recyclable and can be disposed of in your curbside trash.

3. Soiled Paper Products

• Paper towels, napkins, tissues, and food-soiled paper plates and cups are great examples of paper products that can be disposed of as trash. Even though they’re made of paper, they can’t be recycled once they’re soiled with food or other contaminants.

4. Broken Household Items

• Items such as small, broken plastic toys, damaged household items that don’t contain electronic parts, and other non-hazardous items can be safely disposed of in the trash. Just ensure they are bagged and securely tied before placing them in the container.

5. Personal Care Products

• Used personal care items, such as cotton swabs, makeup wipes, disposable razors, and non-recyclable plastic packaging from personal care products, are all fine to include in your curbside trash.

6. Animal Waste

• Pet waste and cat litter can be placed in the curbside trash, provided it is securely bagged. This keeps the container clean and minimizes odors.

7. Household Cleaning Debris

• If you’ve recently swept, dusted, or vacuumed your home, the debris collected from these activities can go in the trash. This includes vacuum cleaner bags and dust.

8. Textiles (Non-Donatable)

• Old or damaged clothing, fabrics, and textiles that are not suitable for donation can be disposed of in the trash. If possible, these items should be bagged to prevent loose fibers from scattering.

9. Miscellaneous Household Waste

• Items such as plastic pens, worn-out sponges, and other non-hazardous household waste fall into this category. As with other items, it’s best to bag them to keep everything neat and contained.

What Can’t Go in Your Curbside Trash

While weekly curbside service is convenient for most household waste, certain materials cannot be placed in your trash container due to safety, environmental, and legal regulations. These items require special handling and disposal:

1. Hazardous Materials

• Any hazardous materials, such as pesticides, bleach, and other dangerous chemicals, are not suitable for curbside trash.

2. Liquids of Any Kind

• Curbside trash service is not equipped to handle liquids, including motor oil, cooking oil, paint, and household chemicals. Even sealed containers can break, creating spills that are difficult to manage.

3. Batteries

• Batteries, whether they’re small household batteries or larger vehicle batteries, contain chemicals that can leak and harm the environment.

4. Electronics

• Electronics such as computers, TVs, cell phones, and small appliances (e.g., microwaves and toasters) contain valuable materials that can often be recycled. However, they can also contain hazardous materials and should not be placed in the curbside trash.

5. Tires

• Tires are another item that must be handled separately, as they don’t belong in curbside trash. Tires are typically recycled, and many tire retailers accept old tires for disposal or recycling when you buy new ones.

Why Proper Sorting Matters

When you place only acceptable items in your curbside trash, you help Mountain Disposal provide reliable, efficient service. Keeping hazardous and non-accepted items out of your trash container benefits both your household and your community:

• Protects the Environment: Hazardous materials, if thrown in with regular trash, can leak harmful chemicals into the soil and water, endangering local ecosystems.
• Improves Safety for Workers: Items like liquids, batteries, and sharp objects can pose risks to sanitation workers who handle trash. Proper disposal helps maintain a safe work environment.
• Reduces Service Disruptions: Items that don’t belong in your trash container can damage trucks or slow down collection, affecting not only your service but also that of your neighbors.
• Encourages Recycling and Waste Reduction: When we’re all mindful about what we throw away, we’re more likely to recycle and consider alternative disposal options, which helps reduce overall waste.

Local Resources for Special Disposal Needs

Even though there are categories of items you can’t place in your trash bin for pickup, special arrangements with Mountain Disposal can be made for pick up of these materials. Additional charges will apply for these special pickups. Please contact our office to make arrangements—we’re here to help our customers find responsible waste disposal options.

By following these guidelines and knowing what to place in your curbside trash, you can help ensure a cleaner, safer environment for everyone in communities throughout Southern Colorado. Proper waste disposal isn’t just about convenience; it’s about being a responsible member of the community and helping Mountain Disposal continue to provide the best curbside service possible.