How to Recycle Properly in Denver, Colorado

Recycling is more than a household chore—it’s a civic responsibility and a critical component of sustainable urban living. In Denver, Colorado, where environmental consciousness is deeply woven into the city’s identity, proper recycling practices help reduce landfill waste, conserve natural resources, and support local green initiatives. Yet, despite widespread awareness, confusion around what can and cannot be recycled continues to undermine efforts. Contamination rates in Denver’s recycling stream remain higher than ideal, leading to increased costs, reduced material recovery, and even entire loads being sent to landfills.

This comprehensive guide walks you through exactly how to recycle properly in Denver, Colorado—covering everything from curbside collection rules to drop-off locations, common mistakes to avoid, and the tools that make recycling easier than ever. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the city, this guide ensures your efforts make a real, measurable impact.

Step-by-Step Guide

Recycling in Denver follows a clear, city-managed system designed for simplicity—but only if you follow the rules. Here’s how to do it correctly, step by step.

Step 1: Understand Your Collection Service

Denver residents receive curbside recycling service through the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW), typically bundled with trash and compost collection. If you live in a single-family home or a small multi-unit building (up to four units), your recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your trash. Larger apartment complexes and commercial properties may have different arrangements, so check with your property manager if you’re unsure.

Each household is provided with a 96-gallon blue recycling cart. This cart is your primary recycling container. Do not use plastic bags, bins, or totes outside the cart—these are not collected and will be left behind.

Step 2: Know What Goes in the Blue Cart

Denver accepts a specific set of materials in curbside recycling. These are grouped into three main categories:

• Paper and Cardboard: Newspapers, magazines, office paper, mail, paperboard (like cereal boxes), and flattened cardboard. Remove all plastic windows from envelopes. Do not include wax-coated paper, pizza boxes with heavy grease, or paper towels.
• Plastics: Only

  1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) plastic containers with necks. This includes water bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, and shampoo containers. Rinse thoroughly. Do not include plastic bags, Styrofoam, yogurt cups (#5), or plastic tubs.

• Metal and Glass: Aluminum cans, tin cans, steel food containers, and glass bottles and jars. Remove lids and rinse containers. Lids should be placed in the cart separately if they are metal; plastic lids go in the trash.

Always follow the “Clean, Empty, Dry” rule: rinse out food residue, empty liquids, and ensure items are dry before placing them in the cart. Wet or dirty items can contaminate entire batches of recyclables.

Step 3: Know What Does NOT Belong

Contamination is the biggest threat to Denver’s recycling program. Materials that should never go in the blue cart include:

• Plastic bags and film (including grocery bags, bread bags, zip-top bags)
• Styrofoam (polystyrene foam)
• Food waste or compostable items (these belong in the green compost cart)
• Electronics (phones, batteries, TVs, laptops)
• Textiles (clothing, towels, sheets)
• Medical waste (syringes, bandages)
• Dirty or greasy pizza boxes
• Window glass, mirrors, ceramics, or light bulbs
• Plastic toys, hangers, or packaging foam

If you’re unsure, it’s better to throw it in the trash than risk contaminating the recycling stream. A single contaminated item can cause an entire truckload to be rejected.

Step 4: Prepare Items Correctly

Preparation matters. Here’s how to get it right:

• Flatten cardboard boxes to save space. Cut large boxes into pieces no larger than 2 feet by 2 feet.
• Remove caps and lids from bottles and jars. Metal lids go in the cart; plastic lids go in the trash.
• Rinse containers with a quick swish of water. No need to scrub—just remove visible residue.
• Keep items loose. Do not bag recyclables. Plastic bags jam sorting machinery and cause shutdowns.
• Do not nest items inside each other. A plastic bottle inside a cardboard box will not be sorted correctly.

Step 5: Place Your Cart Correctly

On your collection day, place your blue cart at the curb by 6 a.m. Ensure it’s at least 3 feet away from other carts, vehicles, trees, or mailboxes. The automated arm on the collection truck needs clear access. Do not overfill your cart—materials should not stick out above the rim. If you have excess recyclables, hold them until next week or take them to a drop-off center.

Step 6: Use Drop-Off Centers for Non-Curbside Items

Not everything can be collected curbside. Denver offers several drop-off locations for items that aren’t accepted in the blue cart:

• Electronics: Drop off at the Denver Solid Waste Management Facility at 4400 S. Santa Fe Drive. Accepts computers, TVs, printers, and small appliances.
• Batteries: Many Home Depot and Lowe’s locations accept rechargeable and single-use batteries. Also available at the city’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility.
• Plastic Bags and Film: Return clean, dry plastic bags to designated bins at grocery stores like King Soopers, Safeway, or Walmart.
• Textiles: Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local donation centers accept clothing, shoes, and linens.
• Paint and Chemicals: Take to the HHW facility by appointment. Free for Denver residents.

Visit the City of Denver’s Recycling and Waste website for a full list of drop-off locations and accepted materials.

Step 7: Track Your Collection Schedule

Collection days vary by neighborhood. Use the city’s online tool at denvergov.org/recycling to enter your address and confirm your exact pickup day. You can also sign up for text or email reminders. If your collection is missed, report it online within 48 hours for a free catch-up pickup.

Best Practices

Proper recycling isn’t just about following rules—it’s about adopting habits that maximize effectiveness and minimize waste. Here are the best practices that Denver residents who recycle most successfully follow.

Practice 1: Educate Everyone in Your Household

Recycling success depends on consistency. Children, roommates, and visitors may not know Denver’s rules. Create a simple checklist and post it near the recycling cart. Use visual aids—photos of accepted items and “NO” symbols over common contaminants. Make recycling a shared responsibility.

Practice 2: Reduce First, Then Recycle

The most effective way to reduce waste is to avoid generating it in the first place. Choose reusable water bottles, coffee cups, shopping bags, and containers. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging. Support brands that use minimal or recyclable packaging. Recycling is important—but prevention is even better.

Practice 3: Rinse, Don’t Wash

Many people waste water trying to clean recyclables. A quick rinse under running water for 5–10 seconds is enough. You don’t need soap or scrubbing. The goal is to remove food residue that attracts pests and contaminates paper. A dirty yogurt cup can ruin a whole bale of paper.

Practice 4: Avoid Wishcycling

“Wishcycling” is the practice of tossing questionable items into the recycling bin “just in case.” This includes plastic clamshells, coffee pods, and mixed-material packaging. These items confuse sorting machines and often end up in landfills anyway. When in doubt, throw it out—or find a specialized drop-off location.

Practice 5: Use the Green Compost Cart

Denver offers curbside compost collection alongside recycling. This cart accepts food scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, napkins, yard waste, and compostable serviceware. Diverting organic waste from landfills reduces methane emissions and creates nutrient-rich soil for local farms and parks. If you’re not using your green cart, you’re missing a major opportunity to reduce your environmental footprint.

Practice 6: Reuse Before Recycling

Before you recycle something, ask: Can this be reused? Glass jars make excellent storage containers. Cardboard boxes can be repurposed for moving or craft projects. Old clothes can become rags. Donating usable items to thrift stores extends their life and reduces demand for new resources.

Practice 7: Stay Updated

Recycling rules change. Materials markets fluctuate, and new technologies emerge. Denver updates its guidelines annually. Subscribe to the city’s newsletter or follow @DenverRecycles on social media for real-time updates. What was acceptable last year may not be this year.

Practice 8: Encourage Your Community

Recycling is a collective effort. Talk to neighbors, share tips on neighborhood apps, and organize recycling drives for electronics or textiles. If you live in an apartment complex, work with management to improve recycling signage and access. Community action leads to systemic change.

Tools and Resources

Denver provides a robust set of digital and physical tools to help residents recycle correctly. Here are the most valuable ones.

Denver Recycles Online Portal

denvergov.org/recycling is the official hub for all recycling information. Here you can:

• Check your collection schedule by address
• Search for drop-off locations by material type
• Download printable recycling guides
• Report missed pickups
• Sign up for email or SMS reminders

The portal includes an interactive “What Can I Recycle?” tool—just type in an item (e.g., “toothpaste tube”) and get an instant answer.

Denver Recycles App

Download the free “Denver Recycles” app from the App Store or Google Play. It features:

• Push notifications for weather-related delays
• Photo-based sorting assistant (snap a picture of an item to get guidance)
• Calendar integration for collection days
• Location-based drop-off center finder

The app is especially helpful for new residents or those unfamiliar with local rules.

Recycling Drop-Off Center Map

The city maintains an interactive map showing all 12 permanent drop-off locations, including hours and accepted materials. Key locations include:

• Denver Solid Waste Management Facility – 4400 S. Santa Fe Drive. Open Tues–Sat, accepts electronics, paint, batteries, and more.
• Denver Recycling Center – 2200 E. 35th Ave. Accepts glass, metal, and clean cardboard.
• HHW Facility – 4400 S. Santa Fe Drive (same location). By appointment only for hazardous materials.

All locations are free for Denver residents with proof of residency.

Local Retailer Partnerships

Many Denver-area stores partner with the city to collect hard-to-recycle items:

• King Soopers, Safeway, Walmart: Plastic bag and film collection bins near entrances.
• Best Buy: Free electronics recycling (limit 7 items per household).
• Home Depot, Lowe’s: Battery and CFL bulb recycling.
• Whole Foods, Natural Grocers: Compostable packaging drop-off and recycling events.

Community Education Programs

The City of Denver offers free workshops for schools, HOAs, and community groups. Topics include “Zero Waste Living,” “How Recycling Works,” and “Composting for Beginners.” Request a presentation through the DPW website.

Denver Recycling Champions Program

Residents who demonstrate exceptional recycling habits can apply to become “Denver Recycling Champions.” Benefits include free reusable bins, educational materials, and recognition on the city’s website. It’s a great way to lead by example.

Real Examples

Understanding recycling rules is easier when you see them applied in real life. Here are five common scenarios and how Denver residents handle them correctly.

Example 1: The Pizza Box

Problem: You’ve finished a large pepperoni pizza. The box is greasy and has cheese stuck to the bottom. Can you recycle it?

Correct Action: Tear off the clean top half of the box and place it in the blue cart. The greasy bottom half? Put it in the green compost cart. If your compost service isn’t available, discard it in the trash. Never recycle a greasy box—it ruins paper fibers.

Example 2: The Plastic Water Bottle with a Lid

Problem: You’ve finished a 20-oz bottle of water. The cap is plastic. Do you remove it? What if the cap is metal?

Correct Action: Remove the cap. If it’s plastic (

1 or #2), throw it in the trash. If it’s metal, place it in the blue cart separately. Rinse the bottle, crush it to save space, and put it in the cart. Caps left on can trap liquids and cause contamination.

Example 3: Old T-Shirts and Jeans

Problem: You’re cleaning out your closet and have several worn-out clothes. Can you put them in the blue cart?

Correct Action: No. Textiles clog sorting machinery. Instead, donate wearable items to Goodwill or Salvation Army. For stained or torn clothing, drop them at textile recycling bins—many locations in Denver accept them, including the Denver Recycling Center and select Planet Aid bins.

Example 4: The Empty Coffee Pod

Problem: You use Keurig-style coffee pods. The pod is plastic with aluminum foil and coffee grounds inside. Can you recycle it?

Correct Action: Most single-use pods are not recyclable curbside. However, some brands like Nespresso offer free return mailers. For others, separate the components: remove the foil lid (recycle if clean aluminum), empty grounds into compost, and rinse the plastic cup. If the cup is

5 plastic, check if a local drop-off accepts it. Otherwise, discard the cup in the trash.

Example 5: The Glass Jar with a Metal Lid

Problem: You’ve finished a jar of spaghetti sauce. The lid is metal. The jar is glass. What do you do?

Correct Action: Rinse both. Remove the metal lid and place it in the blue cart. Place the glass jar in the cart as well. Do not tape the lid back on. If the lid is plastic, throw it in the trash. Glass and metal are infinitely recyclable—proper preparation ensures they’re reused.

FAQs

Can I recycle pizza boxes in Denver?

You can recycle the clean, unsoiled top portion of a pizza box. The greasy, food-stained bottom portion should go in the compost cart if available, or in the trash if not. Never recycle a heavily greased box—it contaminates paper recycling.

Do I need to remove labels from jars and bottles?

No. Labels and adhesives are removed during the recycling process. Just rinse the container to remove food residue.

Can I recycle Styrofoam in Denver?

No. Styrofoam (polystyrene) is not accepted in curbside recycling or at city drop-off centers. It is not economically recyclable and breaks into microplastics. Avoid it when possible. Use alternatives like paper-based packaging.

What happens if I put the wrong thing in my recycling cart?

Contaminated loads may be rejected and sent to the landfill. Single items like a plastic bag can cause machinery jams, leading to delays and increased costs. While Denver does not fine residents for occasional mistakes, repeated contamination can lead to service reminders or education outreach.

Can I recycle shredded paper?

Yes, but only if it’s contained in a paper bag (not plastic) and labeled “shredded paper.” Loose shredded paper blows around and contaminates other materials. Place it in a paper bag, staple it shut, and put it in the blue cart.

Are wine corks recyclable?

Traditional cork stoppers are compostable. Synthetic corks and plastic stoppers are not recyclable in Denver. Look for specialized cork recycling programs like ReCork or TerraCycle if you collect large quantities.

Can I recycle old books?

Hardcover books are not accepted in curbside recycling due to glue and binding. Donate them to libraries, schools, or thrift stores. Paperback books can be placed in the blue cart if they’re clean and dry.

What about batteries?

Single-use alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, etc.) can go in the trash in Denver. Rechargeable, lithium-ion, and button batteries must be taken to a drop-off location like Home Depot, Lowe’s, or the HHW facility. Never put batteries in your recycling cart—they pose fire risks.

Is there a limit to how much I can recycle?

No. If your blue cart is full, you can place additional items in a cardboard box next to it. The collection truck will pick it up. You can also request a second cart for a small fee.

Can I recycle plastic utensils and straws?

No. These are too small and lightweight to be sorted properly. They also often contain food residue. Use reusable utensils instead.

What if I live in an apartment?

Denver requires apartment buildings with five or more units to provide recycling service. If your building doesn’t, contact your property manager and reference Denver Municipal Code 43-340. You can also use drop-off centers or request a personal cart through the city’s program.

Conclusion

Recycling properly in Denver, Colorado, is not complicated—but it does require attention, consistency, and awareness. By following the step-by-step guide, adopting best practices, using available tools, and learning from real examples, you can ensure your recycling efforts are effective, impactful, and aligned with the city’s sustainability goals.

The truth is, recycling alone won’t solve our waste crisis. But when done right, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce landfill use, conserve energy, and protect natural resources. Every clean bottle, flattened box, and properly sorted lid contributes to a cleaner, greener Denver.

Start today. Check your collection schedule. Clean your containers. Know what goes in—and what doesn’t. Share this guide with neighbors. Be part of the solution, not the contamination. Together, we can make Denver a national leader in responsible recycling.