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Frequently Asked Questions on Hazardous Materials Management (HMM)
 Who can use the Boulder County HMM Facility?
A. Only residents of Boulder County, City and County of Broomfield, and Town of Erie. This includes residents of Allenspark, Boulder, Broomfield, Erie, Hygiene, Jamestown, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Niwot, Superior, Ward and all of unincorporated Boulder County. Proof of residency (e.g. driving license, voter ID, tax certificate, or lease agreement) is required.
Boulder County hopes the new facility will be able to accept hazardous wastes from businesses that generate small quantities of hazardous wastes and can be categorized as “conditionally-exempt small quantity generators.” Call 303-441-4800 for more information or visit the HHM facility's website.
Where is the Boulder County HMM Facility located? When is it open?
A. The Boulder County HMM facility is located at 1901 63rd St. in Boulder, immediately west of (behind) the Boulder County Recycling Center. It is open Wed. - Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility is closed for all public holidays.
Several communities (Broomfield, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, and Superior) hold annual or periodic HMM collection events for their residents. Contact your local town/city hall for details.
What wastes are accepted at the Boulder County HMM Facility?
A. The Hazardous Materials Management Facility accepts various types of household products including: paint products (oil-based and latex)*, garden chemicals and fertilizers, hobby products, gasoline, diesel and other fuels, batteries**, household cleaners, mercury thermometers and switches, motor oil, antifreeze and other automotive products.
*Latex paint (if dried out or solidified with an absorbent such as kitty litter) can also be disposed of with your regular trash. **Most types of alkaline and zinc carbon batteries (often called “heavy duty” or “general purpose”) can be disposed of with your regular trash.
A more detailed list of accepted and non-accepted wastes plus fact sheets on batteries and latex paint are available on the facility's website, or by calling the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division at 720.564.2220.
What wastes are not accepted at the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility?
A. The Hazardous Materials Management Facility does NOT accept: alkaline or zinc carbon household batteries; asbestos insulation or large quantities of asbestos tile or linoleum; business wastes; empty containers; explosives or shock sensitive wastes such as fireworks, road flares or ammunition; fire extinguishers; medical wastes, medicines or sharps; non-hazardous wastes; propane tanks (BBQ-grill-size and larger); radioactive materials; and smoke detectors. Click here to learn more about managing these materials.
If I have a specific HMM question, who do I contact?
A. Call the HMM Hotline at 303.441.4800 for answers to frequently asked questions or call Boulder County Resource Conservation at 720.564.2220 to speak to a staff member.
Should I take household batteries to the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility?
A. The HMM Facility accepts most types of rechargeable and non-rechargeable household batteries* for recycling. Many hardware or electronics stores also collect rechargeable batteries for recycling—find a retailer in your area by visiting the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at http://www.rbrc.org.
*Most types of alkaline and zinc carbon (often called “heavy duty” or “general purpose”) batteries can be disposed of with your regular trash. A fact sheet on household batteries is available on the HMM facility website or by calling the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division at 720.564.2220.
Where can I take car batteries?
A. Most auto parts stores will accept used lead-acid auto batteries for recycling and will often give a credit towards the purchase of a new battery. The HMM facility will accept all types of lead-acid batteries from households only. Please note that the Boulder County Recycling Center no longer accepts lead acid batteries.
Can I get free products for reuse? 
A. Yes, the Hazardous Materials Management Program offers free products to the public during its regular hours.
The HMM Facility accepts many products that are in usable condition and some that have never been opened. Reusable products include: cleaning, automotive, hobby and pet products, paints, stains & varnishes, garden, woodworking supplies, wood sealants, etc. Suitable products are made available to individuals, businesses, and county and city departments for reuse. They are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. All persons accepting products will be asked to sign a liability and indemnification release.
The HMM Program reserves the right to restrict or terminate access to these products in cases of overuse or abuse of this service.
Why does the program accept donations?
A. In order to help fund this important service, the Hazardous Materials Management Program accepts voluntary cash donations from residents. A convenient donations box is available at the facility. Tax-deductible receipts are available on request.
Why should I take my fluorescent light bulbs to HMM? What happens to them when I take them to the Hazardous Materials Management Facility?
A. Fluorescent light tubes are hazardous because they contain mercury vapor, small amounts of lead, and phosphorus dust. Do NOT break fluorescent tubes—this will release these hazardous compounds into the air. The HMM facility ships the light tubes to Arizona where the glass, metal and mercury are extracted for recycling.
Regular incandescent light bulbs cannot be recycled. They are not hazardous and can be disposed of with regular trash.
If I take my motor oil to HMM, what happens to it? Does it get used in the production of plastic?
A. Oil collected at the HMM facility is currently sent to facilities around the country for use as an industrial fuel.
What happens to all of the other items taken to the Boulder County HMM Facility? How are they disposed?
A. Wastes received at the Boulder County HMM facility are reused, recycled, used as fuel, treated, or disposed of in an environmentally-sound manner. HMM receives many products in good condition and makes these products available to the public free of charge for reuse. Rechargeable household batteries, lead-acid batteries, antifreeze, and mercury-containing products are recycled. Halogenated solvents (some wood strippers) are processed for chlorine recovery. Bulked flammable liquids and oil-based paints are used as energy-saving industrial fuels. Low BTU paint products (waxes and greases), oxidizers (bleach and drain cleaners), pesticides, and poisons are burned in an industrial incinerator using modern, clean air technology. Latex paints that are not reusable are solidified with cement kiln dust and landfilled.
For more information visit the HMM facility's website or call the Hazardous Materials Management Hotline at 303.441.4800.
Additional Questions
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