How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in Summit County, Colorado

Summit County residents must differentiate between regular recyclables and household hazardous waste (HHW). While 24/7 drop-off centers handle common items, all HHW, including paint and pesticides, must be taken to the specialized SCRAP facility in Dillon.

Eleanor Hayes

October 3, 2026 · 4 min read

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.

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.