For residents of Summit County, Colorado, the proper disposal of common household products like paint, pesticides, and old electronics is a critical step in protecting the local environment. While the county offers convenient 24/7 drop-off centers for everyday recycling, these locations are not equipped to handle hazardous materials. Instead, all household hazardous waste (HHW) must be taken to the specialized Summit County Resource Allocation Park (SCRAP), a central facility designed for safe processing and disposal. Understanding the distinct roles of these facilities is key to managing waste correctly and legally.

Understanding Household Hazardous Waste in Summit County, CO

Household hazardous waste encompasses a range of products that can be corrosive, flammable, or toxic, posing a threat to environmental health if they enter landfills or water systems. The Summit County government specifically identifies items such as paint, stain, pesticides, cleaners, and pharmaceuticals as materials that require special handling to prevent harm to the region's water quality. The county's waste management system is structured to separate these potentially dangerous items from the general recycling stream.

This system relies on two distinct types of facilities. The first is the network of 24/7 recycling drop-off centers located in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Silverthorne, which are designed for high-volume, non-hazardous materials like cardboard, glass, and plastic containers. The second is the single, comprehensive SCRAP facility in Dillon, which is the only location in the county authorized to accept HHW from residents, along with other hard-to-recycle items like electronics and appliances.

SCRAP Facility: Your Destination for Household Hazardous Waste

The Summit County Resource Allocation Park is the designated destination for all HHW. The facility is located at 639 Landfill Road in Dillon, situated two miles north of Keystone off U.S. Highway 6. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the HHW collection service at SCRAP is seasonal, operating from April through October.

During its operating season, the facility accepts HHW from residents Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Summit County's guidelines stipulate several key rules for residents using this service:

  • Proof of Residency: You must be a Summit County resident to drop off HHW.
  • Monthly Limits: Disposal is limited to 25 gallons or 25 items of HHW per person, per calendar month.
  • Accepted Materials: Beyond HHW like paint and cleaners, SCRAP also accepts motor oil, antifreeze, electronics, scrap metal, mattresses, and appliances. Refrigerators and other similar appliances must have their Freon removed prior to drop-off.

While HHW disposal is a core function, the SCRAP facility also offers free recycling for common materials like paper and glass to residents during its weekday operating hours. This service is supported by the voter-approved Strong Future and Safety First Fund. Businesses with commercial hazardous waste must make an appointment for disposal.

24/7 Recycling Drop-Off Centers: What They Accept (and Don't)

For routine recycling, Summit County provides three public drop-off centers that are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These are intended for convenience and are located at:

  • Breckenridge: 284 Coyne Valley Road, next to Colorado Mountain College
  • Frisco: Peak One Boulevard, next to the Summit County Commons
  • Silverthorne: 0255 River Road, next to the Blue River Ballfields

These centers accept a specific list of common recyclables, including cardboard, paper, plastics #1 and #2, aluminum and tin cans, glass, food scraps/organics, and aseptic cartons (like milk or soup cartons). However, it is crucial for residents to know what is prohibited. The county explicitly states that these drop-off centers do not accept any household hazardous waste. Furthermore, items like electronics, mattresses, scrap metal, tires, and toilets are also forbidden and must be transported to the SCRAP facility for proper handling.

Special Programs and Events for Summit County Residents

In addition to the primary disposal facilities, Summit County directs residents to alternative programs for specific items. For leftover paint, a common HHW item, the county suggests using the PaintCare.org program. This resource can help residents find other potential drop-off locations that may be more convenient for paint recycling, separate from the broader HHW collection at SCRAP.

The free recycling services available at the SCRAP facility during weekdays represent another valuable program for residents. Funded directly by the community through the Strong Future and Safety First Fund, this initiative allows residents to recycle a wide array of non-hazardous materials without a fee, complementing the services offered at the 24/7 drop-off centers. This ensures that even if residents are making a trip to SCRAP for HHW, they can also bring their standard recyclables at the same time.

Summit County Waste Disposal Comparison

To prevent confusion and ensure materials end up in the right place, this table directly compares the county's two main disposal systems for residents.

A comparison of rules and accepted materials for Summit County's primary waste facilities.
Feature SCRAP Facility 24/7 Recycling Drop-Off Centers
Primary Function Safe disposal of household hazardous waste, landfill materials, and special items like electronics and mattresses. Convenient collection of common, non-hazardous household recyclables.
Location 639 Landfill Road, Dillon, CO Locations in Breckenridge, Frisco, and Silverthorne.
Operating Hours HHW accepted seasonally (April-October): Mon-Fri 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. & Sat 7:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Accepted Materials Household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, cleaners), pharmaceuticals, electronics, appliances, motor oil, antifreeze, scrap metal, mattresses. Cardboard, paper, plastics #1 & #2, aluminum/tin cans, glass, food scraps, aseptic cartons.
Prohibited Materials Radioactive materials, explosives, ammunition, medical waste. Business HHW is by appointment only. All household hazardous waste, electronics, mattresses, scrap metal, tires, toilets, and general trash.
Key Rules Proof of Summit County residency required for HHW. Limit of 25 gallons or 25 items per person per month. For listed recyclables only. No dumping of prohibited items.

Your Next Steps for Proper Waste Disposal

To properly dispose of waste, residents should first identify the type of material they have. Using the guide and comparison table above, determine if it is a common recyclable appropriate for a 24/7 drop-off center or if it is a household hazardous waste or special item that requires a trip to the SCRAP facility in Dillon. For any HHW disposal, it is essential to confirm that the trip is planned within the seasonal operating window of April to October and to respect the county's monthly limits. A resident successfully disposes of HHW at the SCRAP facility, adhering to the monthly limits and seasonal operating hours, or correctly uses a 24/7 drop-off center for appropriate recyclables.

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