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With spring upon us and a year of quarantines and limited travel behind us, many people are ready for some spring cleaning. Doing this right means taking the time to ask what can be recycled, rather than just throwing everything away. Many residents may not be aware that the Fountain Recycling Center (301 E. Iowa Ave.) is still open and here to help.

The recycling center is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) and on the first Saturday of every month (9 a.m.-noon). The site offers recycling for the following:

white paper (including office paper products such as computer paper and sticky notes) 

newspaper, magazines, phone books

corrugated cardboard

plastics with recycling logo #1-7 (check container's bottom for number)

metal/tin cans (rinse first to remove odor and bacteria) and aluminum (keep separate)

scrap metal (including kitchen appliances, yard tools, artificial Christmas trees and other items mostly made from metal)

People wishing to drop off large appliances must live within city limits and call ahead for an appointment. The center cannot recycle plastic grocery bags.

The following items are considered hazardous and will not be accepted:

TV sets

electronics 

batteries

liquids

Recently, the recycling center began partnering with PaintCare to recycle leftover paint products. The center started the contract process in January and finalized the paperwork the week of May 19. Bill Fenlon, a city of Fountain employee who operates the center (all other members are volunteers) said he's pleased to get a paint recycling program going.

"I've been involved with the recycling center for seven years, and have been wanting to do something about paint ever since," Fenlon said.

Under the PaintCare partnership, the recycling center can accept the following: 

interior and exterior paints (latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel, including textured coatings)

deck coatings and floor paints (including elastomeric)

primers, sealers, undercoaters

stains

shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes (single component)

waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellents (not tar or bitumen-based)

metal coatings, rust preventatives

field and lawn paints  

However, these products will only be accepted if they are:

in the original container and labeled

the container is in good condition with no leaks

the container is 5 gallons or smaller

Empty or lidless containers will not be accepted.

Fenlon explained that residents can drop off as much as 25 gallons of paint (people with larger amounts can contact PaintCare directly). Local paint contractors can partner with the recycling center to drop off leftover paint from their projects. Residents who sign a liability form can get recycled paint for free to use on their home projects. According to Fenlon, the center's agreement is set up to encourage giving paint back to the community to reduce waste.

"PaintCare reimburses us $1.60 for every gallon we give back to the community," Fenlon said.

Accepted paint products that aren't reusable (such as paint that has hardened inside the container) are disposed of through another company, ACTenviro.

For more information about the recycling center, check out the "Recycling" tab on the city of Fountain services page (fountaincolorado.org/services) or contact Neighborhood Services Supervisor Juan Flores at 719-322-2032.