Recycling Centers in Denver, CO
Find drop-off recycling locations in Denver, Colorado. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
⭐ Top 5 Recycling Centers in Denver
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Denver has 36 recycling centers listed in this directory. Each listing includes the address, phone number, and opening hours where available. Call ahead to confirm accepted materials before making the trip.
Recycling in Denver: A Local Guide
Denver residents have two ways to recycle: the City and County of Denver's curbside program and the city's 36 independent drop-off sites listed in our Colorado directory. Denver Solid Waste Management runs a single-stream, every-other-week curbside service using the purple cart, where paper, cardboard, rigid plastics #1–#7, glass bottles and jars, metal cans and cartons all go loose in one bin — no bagging. For anything the purple cart won't take (scrap metal, electronics, tires, whole vehicles, appliances), the private and municipal centers below are where Denverites go.
The drop-off network leans heavily toward metal and auto recycling. You'll find full-service scrap yards such as Atlas Metal & Iron Corp and Denver Metal Recycling, electronics specialists like Blue Star Recyclers and Genesis Electronics Recycling, plus tire recyclers and several cash-for-cars dismantlers clustered along the I-70 corridor. The City & County of Denver Recycle Dropoff on Cherry Creek South Drive is the public municipal option. Check each listing's page for accepted materials and fees before you load up.
If a Denver site doesn't take what you have, nearby Front Range cities add dozens more options. See recycling centers in Colorado Springs, Aurora, Arvada, Boulder and Broomfield, or browse the full Colorado listings to compare locations and hours across the metro.
All Recycling Centers in Denver
Recycling Centers in Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Denver
Where can I recycle for free in Denver?
Denver's curbside recycling (the purple cart) is included with city solid-waste service at no extra per-pickup charge, and the City & County of Denver operates a public drop-off site on Cherry Creek South Drive. Many private scrap-metal yards actually pay you for aluminum, copper and steel. Fees for items like TVs, tires or appliances vary by facility, so call ahead to confirm.
What goes in Denver's purple recycling cart?
Denver uses single-stream recycling: paper, flattened cardboard, rigid plastic bottles, jugs, jars and tubs marked #1–#7, glass food and beverage containers, aluminum/steel/tin cans, and food and beverage cartons. Keep everything loose — do not bag recyclables. Plastic bags, food-soiled items and electronics do not belong in the cart; use a drop-off center for those.
Where do I recycle electronics or TVs in Denver?
Electronics don't go in the curbside cart. Denver has dedicated e-waste recyclers including Blue Star Recyclers, Genesis Electronics Recycling and IT Investment Recoveries. Some charge a fee for CRT (tube) TVs and monitors, so confirm pricing and accepted items with the facility first.
Who do I contact about missed pickups or a cart in Denver?
For missed collections, cart repairs or replacements, and schedule questions, contact Denver Solid Waste Management by calling 311 (or 720-913-1311) or use the city's trash and recycling schedule lookup tool on denvergov.org. Collection day and your every-other-week recycling week are tied to your address.