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Trash and Recycling
  1. Trash and Recycling
  2. Recycling
  3. Recycle Cart Service Guidelines

RECYCLE CART SERVICE GUIDELINES

 

NEVER place plastic bags in your purple recycling cart!

Plastic bags are a recycling contaminant

no plastic bags in purple carts

Using Your Purple Recycle Cart

 

In order for the automated collection trucks to be able to safely empty your cart, it must be set out in the correct location.

CURB SET OUT

ALLEY SET OUT
image of recycle and trash cart set out two feet apart image of recycle and trash cart set out two feet apart

Set your cart in the street with the wheels against the curb with the front facing the street. The automated trucks cannot service containers set out backwards. Leave at least 2 feet from any obstructions.

 

 

 Set your cart in the flow line of the alley with the front facing the alley. The automated trucks cannot service containers set out backwards. Leave at least 2 feet from any obstructions.
Place your cart on the specified side of the alley (East, West, North or South) as instructed. Do not block access to your neighbor's driveway, gate or garage.

To learn where to set your cart out on your service days visit View My Service Schedule or call 311 (720-913-1311).

Maximize space in your cart by flattening all cardboard boxes and then lay them flat across the top of the rest of your recyclables and then close the lid.  This will help ensure that cardboard doesn't get stuck in your cart and will enable you to fit more cardboard in your cart.

If you still regularly have significant amounts of extra recycling that will not fit in your cart, please call 311 (720-913-1311), visit online at 311 Help Request or PocketGov to see about "UPSIZING" to a larger recycling cart or receiving a second recycle cart if you already have the larger cart size.

image of alarm clock at 7 AMThe time a driver arrives to empty your rcart depends on many factors and may not always be  the same. This is why it is important to set out your cart by no later than 7 AM, as it ensures your cart will be ready for collection no matter what time in the day the driver comes.  Carts may be set out as early as the night prior to your collection day and should be returned to your property within a day after collection has occurred.

Recycle collection is every-other week.  Call 311 (720-913-1311) or visit View My Service Schedule to determine your recycling collection schedule.

All trash, recycling and compost carts must be stored on your property in between collections. You may set your carts out as early as the night before your collection day and then return your carts to your property within a day after collection occurs.

Keeping carts out of the alley and off the streets will:

  • Ensure each neighbor takes responsibility for their own waste and carts
  • Ensure each neighbor has access to the public right-of-way
  • Improve the appearance of the alley
  • Prevent cart loss, damage, misuse and vandalism
  • Minimize recycling and compost contamination (non-acceptable items can contaminate entire loads)
  • Reduce litter and the potential for illegal dumping
  • Discourage waste scavengers in your neighborhood

It is your responsibility to manage and care for your city-issued carts. Take pride in your neighborhood and bring your carts back. 
 

 

 

Denver Recycles reserves the right to remove recycling carts that are improperly used. Improper use includes trash in carts, carts left in the public right-of-way (including the alley), abuse or destruction of carts outside of normal wear and tear, and other uses deemed inappropriate by the City.

Approximate cart measurements are as follows:

65 gallon = Cart weighs 32 lbs. empty

      Height = 42”, Width = 27”, Depth = 32”

95 gallon = Cart weighs 40 lbs. empty

       Height = 46”, Width = 30”, Depth = 36”

Each recycling cart has a unique serial number which is assigned to a specific address.
 
The recycling cart serial number is printed on the front of each cart in white numbering. 
 
  • For carts starting with "05" through "13" (65 gallon carts) and then a space, the last five numbers are the cart's serial number.  For example in this photo to the right the cart serial number would be "78739."image of where cart serial number is on cart
  • For carts starting with "95" (95 gallon carts) and then a space, the six numbers after the 95 are the cart's serial number. For example a cart reading "95 912345" the cart serial number would be "912345."


To find out your cart serial number, please call 311 (720-913-1311), visit online at 311 Help Request or PocketGov.

DAMAGED CART:  If your cart is damaged, please call 311 (720-913-1311), visit online at 311 Help Request or PocketGov. 

LOST OR MISSING CART:  If your purple recycling cart has gone missing after your collection:
 
Please check the service area to make sure your cart has not simply rolled away from your normal collection point.
  1. You may use your assigned cart's serial number to help locate which cart is yours.
  2. Check with your neighbors to see if they have mistakenly pulled in your recycling cart.
  3. Call 311 to let us know your cart is missing so we can order you a replacement recycling cart.
Please do not sign up online as a “New Customer” to order a replacement recycling cart.  This may result in a greater delay in getting you a replacement recycling cart.
 
To find out your cart serial number, please call 311 (720-913-1311), visit online at 311 Help Request or PocketGov.

MOVING IN?

  1. Find out your recycling service information at View My Service Schedule.
  2. Sign up for recycling services at New Customer Signup.  Be sure to check the box if you already have a recycling cart at your address and do not need one delivered.
  3. There is no charge for recycling services provided by Denver Solid Waste Management, with the exception of the composting collection service (green carts) which is a fee based program.
  4. If you have a large amount of leftover moving boxes, please contact us to make arrangements for a special cardboard recycling collection.

MOVING OUT?

  1. Contact us prior to your move so we can update the account information.
  2. Leave any City issued containers behind.  Black trash barrels, purple recycling carts, and green composting carts are the property of the City & County of Denver.  Each barrel and cart is assigned by serial numbers to an exact address.
  3. Bring all containers back onto your property before you move.  Do not leave containers in the street or alley.
  4. Take any personal trash containers with you.

NOTES:  Denver Solid Waste Management only services residential homes of seven or fewer units that are located in the City and County of Denver.  If you reside in a larger apartment or condominium property, please contact your landlord or HOA for collection information.

When your collection day and street sweeping day are both scheduled for the same day you have three options for setting out your containers. image of a street sweeper

Option 1: Set your containers on the apron (edge) of your driveway.

  • Your containers should be placed on the apron of the driveway only when collection days conflict with designated street sweeping days.
  • Make sure that containers are as close to the street as possible and not on the sidewalk.  If containers are placed too far away from the street the automated collection trucks will not be able to reach them.
  • The handle of the container should be facing away from the street.
  • Make sure that your containers are at least 2 feet from any obstructions such as other containers, lampposts, trees or mailbox posts.
 image of trash cart at end of driveway

Option 2: Set your containers off the street on the edge of the curb-line.

  • Your containers should be placed off the street only when collection days conflict with designated street sweeping days.
  • Make sure that containers are as close to the street as possible and not on the sidewalk.  If containers are placed too far away from the street, the automated collection trucks will not be able to reach them.
  • Make sure that containers are at least 2 feet from any obstructions such as other containers, lampposts, trees or mailbox posts.
 image of recycle cart and trash can off curb

Option 3: Set your containers on the opposite side of your street.

  • Your containers should be placed on the opposite side of your street only when collection days conflict with designated street sweeping days.
  • Container wheels should be against the curb and the handle of the container should be facing away from the street.
  • Make sure that your recycling containers are at least 2 feet from any obstructions such as other containers, lampposts, trees or mailbox posts.
  • Collection trucks will run both sides of the street on overlapping collection/street sweeping days.
 image of recycle and trash cart curbside
 
Moving your containers off the street on sweeping days will reduce the in & out "snaking" by the sweepers and enable Public Works to keep your street clean.
 

Residents are responsible for:

  • Maintaining a minimum height clearance for our trucks of 13 feet for tree branches and wires stretching out from your property into the alley or street.
  • Resolving tree branch clearance issues contact the City’s Forestry Division for a list of licensed contractors at 720-913-0651 or online.
  • Resolving downed or low-hanging wires and lines contact:
    • Power lines, Xcel at 1-800-628-2121
    • Phone lines, Qwest at 1-800-573-1311
    • Cable lines, Comcast at 303-930-2000
  • Properly disposing of unacceptable items. For a list of registered hauling companies, call 311 (720-913-1311) or visit online at Registered Trash Haulers.
  • Dead animal removal in streets or alleys, please call 311 (720-913-1311).

Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments remind homeowners that they are responsible for trees on the public right-of-way. If a Public Right-of-Way (PROW) tree or tree part is blocking a roadway, it must be removed immediately. Removal can occur one of three ways:

  1. Homeowner removes the obstruction on their own;
  2. Homeowner contracts for the removal of the obstruction; or
  3. The City contracts for the removal of the obstruction and the homeowner is then responsible for any associated costs incurred by the City.

Residents are responsible for the removal and disposal of tree stumps and all branches over 4 inches in diameter and/or 4 feet in length. A list of registered haulers is available on this page. These are private companies and fees are charged.

 

image of confused woman in red shirt

Having Trouble Remembering Your Collection Days?

 

Sign up for service reminders and never forget collection day again.

 

Replacement Decal for Recycle Cart Lid

 

Has time and weather washed out or made it hard to read the decal on the lid of your recycling cart? If so, we can mail you an updated decal that you can apply to your purple cart.

image of recycle cart lid label

To get a recycling cart lid decal, call 311 (720-913-1311) or complete the form below.