Solid Waste/Recycling Services

Plastic Bottle Recycling Guidelines

Until further notice the City of Durango is NOT taking plastics from the drop off locations due to a unknown contamination in the recycle stream.

The City of Durango recycles bottle-shaped #1 and #2 plastic only.  We hope to expand our operations in the future to include all types of plastic, and for now we appreciate your help in recycling #1 and #2 plastic bottles.

What’s a bottle?

Check for the Neck! Recycle bottles, jars and jugs with openings that are smaller than the base (or widest part), or have a “screw top.”

Recycling Plastic Bottles is Easy. Here's How:

• Remove and throw away caps, lids and pumps.

• Empty and rinse.

• Double check that the bottle is either #1 or #2.

• If you are able, crush plastic bottles so they take up less room in the recycling container.

• Place empty, uncapped and flattened plastic bottles in a paper bag inside your curbside recycling bin or use a separate box placed next to the blue bin.

• At drop-off sites, simply place bottles in the barrel designated for plastics.

Due to market demands, only plastic containers that are BOTTLE-SHAPED #1 or #2 can be recycled in Durango’s program at this time. Other types of plastic will contaminate the batch and render the rest of the contents un-recyclable.

Recycled plastics are turned into many products:

• carpeting

• fleece

• pillow stuffing

• t-shirts

• new plastic containers

• plastic lumber deck

• park benches

• garden furniture