Solid Waste/Recycling Services

Preparing Your Recyclables

If your recyclables are not properly prepared, they won't be collected in the curbside program and they'll create problems at the drop-off sites. Please adhere to the following instructions:

CANS - All aluminum and steel cans and lids are collected.

• All cans must be rinsed, but labels may be left on.
• Pinch the open end of all "tin" cans so that aluminum cans cannot slip inside of them.
• Empty aerosol/paint cans are acceptable.
• Metal jar lids and bottle caps are acceptable.
• All other types of metal scrap are prohibited.

GLASS – All Glass

• Please rinse and remove all metal.
• Place rinsed, mixed glass in your curbside bin.
• Place rinsed mixed clear & green and brown glass in appropriate (separate) barrels at drop-off sites.
• Light bulbs and tempered glass and automotive are not accepted.
• Glass containers from laboratories are not accepted.

PAPERS - Important paper guidelines

• Newspapers and all its supplements, light colored office paper, junk mail, magazines and phone directories may be recycled together.

CARDBOARD - Corrugated ONLY

• Only corrugated cardboard is accepted. It must have a wavy center section between the inside and outside layers.
• Flattened corrugated cardboard may be dropped off at any time at the North City Market and Recycling Center locations.
• Small amounts of flattened corrugated cardboard are collected at the curb when cut to a size no larger than 3'x3' and placed under your blue bin. If you have large amounts, please take them to the Durango Recycling Center at 710 Tech Center Dr.
• Brown grocery bags can be recycled with the corrugated cardboard, but not with mixed paper.
• Other types of cardboard, such as shoe and cereal boxes, six-pack holders, waxed cardboard, and egg cartons are not accepted.

PLASTICS – Important plastic guidelines

• Type 1 and Type 2 plastics that are bottle-shaped are accepted.