What belongs in your recycling bin, and what can put workers, trucks, and equipment at risk? Jenny Johnson and Thomas Brackett of Republic Services share common recycling mistakes, explain their advanced full‑service recycling processing center, and preview a new partnership with Citizen Action Alliance offering free recycling for Colorado Springs residents. Ally Richardson hosts. We also learn why clean, dry recyclables matter, which items contaminate the system, and why batteries must never go into any bin.

Republic Services will be lighting up a truck at this year’s Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade, taking place Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 5:50 PM on Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs.

Resources Mentioned:

Republic Service’s Colorado Springs Full‑Service Recycling Processing Center

Republic Service’s Recycling Basics

Republic Service’s Las Vegas Polymer Center

Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility program through Circular Action Alliance (CAA)

CAA was approved through the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment

Got Lithium Batteries? Lithium batteries cannot be placed in your recycle or trash bin! Recycle FREE at the El Paso County Hazardous Waste Facility

Got Metal Scraps? Recycle FREE with Urban Recyclers

Upcoming Programs offered by Pikes Peak Permaculture:

Permaculture Design Course 2027

Interested in living more sustainably? This certification course is 10 weekends together to build a hands-on foundation of permaculture knowledge and experience to become better equipped for the future. Pikes Peak Permaculture is now accepting registrations for our next course that will be starting in March 2027. Work trade and financial aid available. Have questions? See our website or reach out, we’re happy to help you make an informed decision.

Be on the lookout for a FREE Fall/Winter Intro to Permaculture class series! Want to be on Pikes Peak Permaculture’s newsletter? Contact us.

This episode is brought to you by Pikes Peak Permaculture, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to teaching the ethics and principles of permaculture design in Southern Colorado. Permaculture is all about working with nature rather than against, to regenerate land, water, and food systems, and build resilient communities for generations to come. Learn more about their work with schools, organizations, and community members at pikespeakpermaculture.org

The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region.

Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Futurehttps://peakallianceco.org/

Pikes Peak Permaculturehttps://www.pikespeakpermaculture.org/

GrowthBusters: https://www.growthbusters.org

Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Follow on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss an episode.