Denver Recycling Schedule & Accepted Materials for Curbside Pickup

Sun Feb 15 2026

Denver is committed to sustainable living, and understanding your residential curbside recycling program is a key part of that. This guide provides the essentials for Denver residents to ensure their recyclables are collected efficiently and correctly, helping minimize waste and support environmental efforts.

Find Your Denver Curbside Recycling Pickup Schedule

Knowing your specific collection day is the first step to successful recycling. Denver’s recycling services typically operate on a bi-weekly schedule. To pinpoint your exact pickup days:

Use the Denver Recycles Website: The most accurate method is to visit the official Denver Recycles website. Look for their ‘Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule’ tool, where you can enter your street address.
Download the Denver Trash and Recycling App: For on-the-go access, the City of Denver offers a mobile app (check your device’s app store) that provides personalized collection schedules and reminders.
Check Your Calendar: Once you’ve identified your bi-weekly schedule, mark it on your personal calendar or set digital reminders to ensure your bin is out on time.

Accepted Materials: What Goes In Your Denver Recycling Bin?

To prevent contamination and ensure your efforts count, it’s crucial to only place accepted items in your blue cart. Here’s a breakdown of what Denver’s curbside program accepts:

Paper & Cardboard

Cardboard: Corrugated cardboard (like shipping boxes) and paperboard (like cereal or tissue boxes). Flatten all boxes.
Mixed Paper: Junk mail, magazines, newspapers, catalogs, phone books, envelopes, office paper, and paper bags.

Plastics

Plastic Bottles and Jugs: Look for the #1 (PET) or #2 (HDPE) recycling symbol. This includes items like soda bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, and shampoo bottles. Empty, rinse, and replace caps.

Metal

Aluminum Cans: Soda cans, food cans.
Steel/Tin Cans: Food cans (e.g., soup, vegetable, pet food).

Glass

Glass Bottles and Jars: All colors of glass food and beverage bottles and jars. Empty, rinse, and replace caps.

Non-Recyclable Items: What to Keep Out (and Why)

Many items commonly mistaken for recyclables actually cause significant problems at recycling facilities, leading to contamination, equipment damage, or even landfilling of entire batches of otherwise good recyclables. Do NOT put these items in your Denver blue bin:

Plastic Bags & Film: Grocery bags, sandwich bags, plastic film, bubble wrap. These tangle machinery. Look for store drop-off programs.
Styrofoam: Packing peanuts, foam cups, takeout containers.
Electronics (E-Waste): Computers, TVs, cell phones. These contain hazardous materials.
Food Waste: Including food-soiled paper products like pizza boxes (unless the cardboard portion is clean).
Garden Hoses, Wires, and Cords: These wrap around and jam sorting equipment.
Ceramics, Dishes, and Drinking Glasses: These are not the same type of glass as bottles/jars and melt at different temperatures.
Mirrors or Window Glass: Also not the same type of glass.
Scrap Metal: Car parts, large metal items.
Medical Waste/Sharps: Needles, syringes.
Hazardous Waste: Paint, chemicals, motor oil.
Clothing/Textiles: Donate or find textile recycling programs.
Diapers: Must go in the trash.

Preparing Your Recyclables for Collection Success

Proper preparation ensures your recyclables are actually recycled. Follow these guidelines:

Empty and Rinse: All plastic, glass, and metal containers should be empty and rinsed clean of food or liquid residue. Excess residue can contaminate other materials.
Flatten Cardboard: Break down and flatten all cardboard boxes to save space in your bin and the collection truck.
Loose in the Bin: Place all accepted recyclables directly into your blue recycling cart. NEVER bag your recyclables (e.g., in plastic grocery bags or trash bags). Plastic bags clog sorting machinery and often cause the entire bag’s contents to be landfilled.
Lids On for Bottles/Jugs: For plastic bottles and jugs, you can replace the caps after rinsing. For glass jars, it’s generally best to replace lids.
Bin Placement: Ensure your blue cart is placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day, with at least three feet of clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, or other obstructions. The lid should be fully closed.

Holiday Schedules & Missed Pickups in Denver

Collection schedules can shift due to holidays or unforeseen circumstances. Be prepared for:

Holiday Delays: If a holiday falls on a weekday, collection services are typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Check the Denver Recycles website or app for specific holiday schedules.
Missed Pickups: If your bin was out on time and properly prepared but not collected, report a missed pickup to Denver Solid Waste Management. There’s usually a specific timeframe (e.g., within 24-48 hours) to report this. Check the official Denver Recycles website for instructions on how to report a missed collection.
Weather-Related Delays: Extreme weather conditions (heavy snow, ice) can sometimes delay or suspend collections for safety reasons. Stay informed by checking local news and official City of Denver alerts.

Beyond the Bin: Special Item Recycling Options in Denver

Many items not accepted in your curbside bin can still be recycled through special programs in Denver:

Electronics (E-Cycle): The City of Denver partners with various organizations for electronic waste recycling events or drop-off locations. Search ‘Denver e-waste recycling’ for current options.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): For items like paint, chemicals, and motor oil, Denver hosts Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events throughout the year. Check the Denver Recycles site for schedules and accepted items.
Batteries: Rechargeable batteries and button cell batteries can often be dropped off at retail locations (e.g., hardware stores, electronics stores). Single-use alkaline batteries are generally safe for trash but check local guidelines.
Textiles: Many charities accept donations of clothing and other textiles. There are also specialized textile recycling programs available in the Denver metro area.

How to Verify in Denver, Colorado Today

To ensure you have the most current and accurate information for your Denver recycling needs:

Check Your Address on Denver Recycles: Visit the official Denver Solid Waste Management website (www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Trash-and-Recycling/Recycle) and use their ‘Trash & Recycling Pickup Schedule’ lookup tool by entering your specific Denver street address. This will provide your exact pickup days.
Consult the ‘Denver Recycles Residential Services Guide’: Download the latest version of this comprehensive guide directly from the Denver Solid Waste Management website. It typically lists all accepted and unaccepted materials, preparation tips, and program details.
Contact Denver Solid Waste Management Directly: If you have unique items or specific questions not covered online, call their customer service line during business hours. The phone number should be available on the official Denver Recycles webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I put shredded paper in my Denver recycling bin?

A: Yes, shredded paper is accepted, but it’s best to place it in a paper bag (not plastic) before putting it in your recycling cart to prevent it from scattering and contaminating other materials.

Q: Do I need to remove labels from bottles and cans before recycling?

A: No, you do not need to remove labels from bottles or cans. Recycling processes are designed to handle them.

Q: What if my recycling bin is too full?

A: If your bin is consistently full, you can request an additional recycling cart from Denver Solid Waste Management. Do not leave overflow recyclables outside the bin, as they may not be collected.

Q: Are plastic lids accepted on glass jars?

A: Yes, you can typically leave plastic or metal lids on glass jars after rinsing the jar. The sorting process can usually separate them.