Denver CO Residential Recycling: Your Pickup Schedule & What's Accepted

Navigating residential recycling in Denver, Colorado, involves understanding your specific pickup schedule and knowing exactly what materials belong in your curbside cart. Unlike weekly trash collection, Denver’s recycling service operates on an every-other-week basis, making it crucial to stay informed about your designated collection day and week.

This guide will help Denver residents quickly find their personalized recycling schedule, clarify accepted materials, and provide essential tips to ensure your recycling efforts are effective and contamination-free.

Find Your Personalized Denver Recycling Schedule

Denver’s residential recycling is collected every other week, alternating between “Week A” and “Week B.” Your specific collection day (e.g., Monday, Tuesday) and whether you are on Week A or Week B depend on your address. To avoid missed pickups and ensure your cart is out on the correct day, always verify your schedule directly with the official city tool.

The most accurate way to determine your recycling schedule is to use the address lookup tool provided by Denver Recycles, a program of the City and County of Denver. Simply enter your street address on their official website (usually found under the ‘Recycling & Trash’ section of denvergov.org) to view your exact pickup calendar for the current year and beyond. This tool will confirm your assigned collection day and which weeks your service occurs.

What Goes IN Your Denver Recycling Cart? (Accepted Materials List)

To ensure your recyclables are processed correctly, it’s vital to only place accepted items in your curbside cart. All items must be clean, dry, and placed loose in the cart—never in plastic bags.

Paper & Cardboard

  • Corrugated Cardboard: Flattened, clean pizza boxes (remove greasy parts), shipping boxes, cereal boxes, tissue boxes.
  • Paper: Magazines, newspapers, junk mail, office paper, envelopes, paperboard (like tissue boxes), phone books, paperbacks.

Plastics

  • Plastic Bottles & Jugs: #1 and #2 plastics only (look for the symbol on the bottom). Examples include soda bottles, water bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles.

Metals

  • Aluminum Cans: Soda, beer, and other beverage cans.
  • Steel & Tin Cans: Food cans (e.g., soup, vegetable cans), pet food cans. Please rinse them clean.

What Stays OUT of Your Denver Recycling Cart? (Prohibited Items & Contamination Avoidance)

Placing non-recyclable items, or “contaminants,” in your recycling cart can jam machinery at sorting facilities, reduce the quality of recycled materials, and even lead to entire loads being sent to the landfill. When in doubt, leave it out!

Common Prohibited Items Include:

  • Plastic Bags & Plastic Film: These wrap around machinery. Recycle plastic bags at designated grocery store drop-offs.
  • Glass: Glass is NOT accepted in Denver’s curbside carts. Use glass-only drop-off sites.
  • Styrofoam: Packing peanuts, foam cups, egg cartons, or other foam products.
  • Food Waste & Soiled Items: Greasy pizza boxes, unrinsed food containers, or any food scraps.
  • Electronics (E-waste): TVs, computers, cell phones, batteries.
  • Hazardous Waste: Paint, chemicals, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs.
  • Clothing & Textiles: Donate these items or find special textile recycling programs.
  • Yard Waste: Grass clippings, branches.
  • Medical Waste: Syringes, medical containers.
  • Ceramics & Dishes: Coffee mugs, plates.
  • Scrap Metal: Car parts, coat hangers, metal pipes.

Prepare Your Recyclables: Best Practices for Denver Residents

Proper preparation is key to successful recycling. Follow these simple steps for accepted materials:

  • Rinse Clean: All food and beverage containers should be rinsed to remove residue. This prevents odors and contamination.
  • Empty & Dry: Ensure items are empty and dry before placing them in the cart.
  • Flatten Cardboard: Break down and flatten cardboard boxes to save space in your cart.
  • Loose Only: Place all accepted items loosely into the cart. Do NOT bag your recyclables, even in clear plastic bags.
  • Lids Off: For plastic bottles and jugs, it’s often recommended to remove caps/lids, as they are often made of a different type of plastic and can be too small to be sorted properly. Check official Denver Recycles guidelines for specifics.

Your Denver Recycling Checklist

To ensure a smooth pickup and effective recycling, consult this checklist before setting out your cart:

  • Have you confirmed your collection week (Week A or Week B) and day using the official Denver Recycles tool?
  • Are all items placed loosely in the cart, NOT inside plastic bags or tied bundles?
  • Are all food and beverage containers rinsed clean and dry before going into the cart?
  • Have you removed any prohibited items like Styrofoam, plastic bags, electronics, or food waste from the cart?
  • Is your recycling cart placed curbside by 7:00 AM on your collection day, with wheels against the curb?
  • Is the cart lid fully closed, and are there no items outside of the cart?

Recycling Pickup Day: Cart Placement and Troubleshooting Tips

Proper placement of your recycling cart is essential for collection by automated trucks.

  • Timing: Place your cart at the curb or alley by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. It’s often best to put it out the night before.
  • Placement: Position the cart with the wheels against the curb or alley, and the lid opening facing the street/alley.
  • Clearance: Ensure there is at least three feet of clearance around the cart from obstacles like parked cars, mailboxes, utility poles, and other carts. The automated arm needs space to operate.
  • Lid Closed: The lid must be fully closed. Overfilled carts or items placed outside the cart will not be collected.

If your recycling collection is missed, or you encounter other issues, contact Denver 311 (by dialing 3-1-1, visiting their website, or using their app) to report the problem. They can provide information on why collection might have been missed and schedule a recollection if appropriate.

Beyond the Cart: Special Recycling & Drop-Off Options in Denver

For items not accepted in your curbside recycling, Denver offers various alternative solutions:

  • Glass Recycling: Since glass is not collected curbside, use Denver’s dedicated purple glass-only drop-off containers located throughout the city. Check the Denver Recycles website for an up-to-date map of locations.
  • Plastic Film/Bags: Recycle clean, dry plastic bags and plastic film (e.g., bread bags, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags) at participating grocery stores. Look for designated drop-off bins at store entrances.
  • Electronics (E-Waste) Recycling: Many local electronics retailers and specialized recycling centers offer programs for safely disposing of old electronics. The City of Denver often hosts special collection events as well.
  • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): Items like paint, chemicals, and batteries require special handling. Denver provides resources and occasional collection events for safe HHW disposal. Check denvergov.org for current options.
  • Composting: Consider signing up for Denver’s compost collection program for food scraps and yard waste, which is separate from recycling.

Common Recycling Mistakes to Avoid in Denver

Many residents genuinely want to recycle correctly but sometimes make common errors. Being aware of these pitfalls can significantly improve Denver’s recycling stream:

  • Putting the recycling cart out on the wrong week, assuming weekly collection instead of every-other-week.
  • Placing recyclables inside plastic bags, which jams sorting machinery and contaminates the load.
  • Including food-soiled items (e.g., greasy pizza boxes, unrinsed food containers) that contaminate other recyclables.
  • Attempting to recycle items like Styrofoam, plastic film, electronics, or hazardous waste in the curbside cart.
  • Overfilling the cart or placing items next to it, leading to missed collection or litter.
  • Forgetting to check the Denver Recycles tool and relying on old or incorrect schedule information.

How to Verify in Denver Today

To ensure you have the most current and accurate information for your Denver residential recycling, follow these steps:

  1. Use the Official Address Lookup Tool: Go directly to the City and County of Denver’s official recycling services page (search “Denver Recycles” on denvergov.org). Input your exact street address to instantly see your personalized collection schedule for both trash and recycling.
  2. Check for Program Updates: Regularly visit the Denver Recycles section of denvergov.org. This is where any changes to accepted materials, collection policies, or special events (like hazardous waste drop-offs) will be announced.
  3. Review City Communications: Pay attention to any mailers, utility bill inserts, or official social media channels from the City and County of Denver regarding solid waste services. These often contain reminders or updates about recycling guidelines specific to your area.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is glass accepted in Denver curbside recycling?

No, glass is not accepted in Denver’s residential curbside recycling carts. You must take glass bottles and jars to one of the designated purple glass-only drop-off locations throughout the city. Check the Denver Recycles website for a map of these sites.

Q: What if my recycling pickup is missed?

If your recycling cart was at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day and was not emptied, you should report the missed collection to Denver 311. You can call 3-1-1, use their online portal, or their mobile app to report the issue.

Q: Can I recycle plastic bags in my curbside cart?

No, plastic bags and plastic film are significant contaminants in Denver’s curbside recycling program. They can tangle machinery at the sorting facility. You can typically recycle clean, dry plastic bags and film at collection bins located outside participating grocery stores.