From under the kitchen sink to the shelves of the garage, household hazardous waste can readily be found in most residences.
Household hazardous waste (HHW) is any chemical or product that can cause serious illness or pose environmental or health problems if not properly stored, transported, or disposed of. (Think of items purchased at the auto parts store, landscaping nurseries, and the cleaning aisle of your local supermarket.)
Though recycling HHW is essential to protecting not only your family, friends, community, and the environment, people are often left discouraged by the cost and inconvenience of doing so.
Enter the Rooney Road Recycling Center, the only local facility Jeffco residents can depend on to recycle and dispose of these toxic materials.
Why is recycling HHW so important?
Improper storage, transportation, and recycling of household hazardous waste can pose serious health risks, especially with many of these products being corrosive or having the potential to combust.
Children or pets can get into items kept in the house if they spill or leak. Containers disposed of in the trash could end up in a landfill, with its chemicals seeping into the ground or ground water. Pouring HHW down the drain could cause damage to drainage systems and it could make its way into wastewater treatment facilities.
How does RRRC help with the disposal of HHW?
Thanks to the partnership between Jefferson County and the Rooney Road Recycling Center, Jeffco residents receive a 75% discount on the cost of disposing or recycling of household hazardous waste.
Jeffco residents (with proof of residency) pay just $30 for the first 75 pounds of HHW they recycling, then $1.75 per pound after that. Comparatively, out-of-county residents pay $110 for the first 75 pounds and $2 per pound after that.
And understanding the challenges that come with recycling HHW, RRRC is centrally located in Jefferson County near the confluence of C-470 and Interstate 70 (151 S. Rooney Road, Golden.)
For more information about pricing, scheduling, or what materials are accepted, visit the Rooney Road Recycling Center website.