Accepted for Recycling

Check the Waste Directory to see what materials should go in the recycling cart! Want to dive into different material types? Check out "Common Recyclables" below.

Common Recyclables

Recycling Tips

  • NO PLASTIC BAGS of any kind allowed in the recycling. If you bag your recycling, empty out all items and throw the bag away. 
  • 2 inches or larger: if an item is smaller than the palm of your hand, it’s too small to recycle.
  • Lids and caps may be attached to bottles and placed in the recycling. Loose lids and caps should be placed in the trash.  
  • Watch out for confusing labels! The chasing arrows symbol (resin identification code) alone does not mean an item is accepted in Denver’s recycling program. 
  • When in doubt, throw it out! If you’re not sure, check the Waste Directory or the lists below. If an item is not listed, do not put it in the recycling. 
  • See more frequently asked questions about Denver’s recycling program here.

Plastics

Accepted

Solid Waste accepts plastic containers, like bottles, tubs, jugs, jars, and cups. All containers should be empty before recycling. Containers include:

  • Plastic cups
  • Bottles for milk, juice, soda, and water
  • Shampoo and conditioner bottles
  • Detergent and softener containers
  • Buckets up to 5 gallons (remove wire handle)
  • Empty prescription bottles
  • Empty spray bottles (learn more about household hazardous waste disposal here)
  • Tubs for yogurt and margarine
  • Clear "clam-shell" containers

Not Accepted

Solid Waste does not accept plastic items that are not containers, including:

  • Plastic bags (grocery and trash bags)– Denver’s #1 contaminant!
  • Soft plastics (shrink wrap, bubble wrap, soft plastic packaging, bubble mailers)
  • Bubble wrap
  • Styrofoam® and packing peanuts
  • Wrappers, condiment packets, juice pouches, and chip bags
  • Plastic buckets over 5 gallons (remove handle)
  • Tangling items like garden hoses and Christmas lights
  • Coffee pods and single-serving creamers
  • "Compostable" packaging and containers
  • Containers without the RIC #1-7 stamp
  • Plastic cutlery and straws

Metals

Accepted

  • Aluminum beverage cans
  • Tin and steel cans, like soup, fruit, vegetable, and pet food cans
  • Aluminum foil (clean and balled up)
  • Aluminum catering and pie trays

All items should be empty and free of food residue

Not Accepted

  • Automotive parts
  • Scrap metal
  • Propane and other metal tanks
  • Metal hangers
  • Pots and pans
  • Foil bags (ex. potato chip bags)
  • Yogurt lids

Glass

Accepted

  • Beverage bottles
  • Glass jars 

Not Accepted

  • Window or automotive glass
  • Mirrors
  • Ceramics
  • Heat resistant kitchen glass (ex. bakeware and measuring cups)
  • Wine glasses
  • Light bulbs

Cardboard & Paperboard

Accepted

All cardboard and paperboard boxes should be flattened.

  • Cereal and cracker boxes
  • Shipping and delivery boxes (flatten and cut to no larger than 2 ft x 2 ft)
  • Non-greasy pizza boxes (recycle the clean part and discard the greasy or soiled portion)
  • Dairy milk, nut milk, and juice cartons (Tetra Pak packaging)
  • Frozen food boxes
  • Gift and shoe boxes
  • Hanging file folders
  • Milk cartons
  • Paper towel and toilet paper tubes

Not Accepted

  • Foil-coated paperboard
  • Waxed cardboard

Paper

Accepted

  • Mail: greeting cards, postcards, letters, envelopes, stationery, brochures, direct mail
  • Office supplies: index cards, file folders, office paper
  • School supplies: loose-leaf paper, copy and typing paper, note pads, spiral notebooks (remove metal spirals)
  • Additional materials: glossy ads, phone books (remove plastic bags and non-paper inserts), magazines, newspapers, coupons, coffee cups, paper bags

Stamps, staples, tape, sticky notes, and plastic windows are accepted.

Not Accepted

  • Paper towels and napkins
  • Tissue paper
  • Bubble envelopes
  • Shredded paper
  • Paper plates
  • Wet or greasy paper
  • Wrapping paper
  • Books
  • Plastic or wax-line to-go containers

 

Don't Waste the Good Stuff Flyer

Download the "Don't Waste the Good Stuff" Flyer to learn more about what does, and doesn't go in Denver's recycling and compost.

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