History of Recycling in Denver​​​

Early Programs (1970s–2000s):

Denver's formal recycling infrastructure began in the early 1990s when the city launched its first curbside collection programs for select neighborhoods. Initially, Denver operated a multi-stream, source-separated system requiring residents to sort paper, metal, and glass into separate containers — a model that, while effective for material quality, limited participation rates due to the added burden on households.

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By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the shift toward single-stream recycling was underway nationally. Denver piloted single-stream collection — where all recyclables go into one container — in select neighborhoods beginning around 2005. This approach dramatically increased participation but introduced contamination challenges that continue today.

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The Single-Stream Era (2000s–2020):

Denver's full transition to single-stream recycling came in the early 2010s, accompanied by investment in a modern Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) capable of mechanically sorting mixed recyclables. Under this system, Denver's purple-lidded recycling carts became a familiar sight across residential neighborhoods. Collection was initially biweekly — a schedule that would remain in place until 2023.

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Despite the convenience of single-stream, Denver's diversion rates remained stubbornly low. Low landfill tipping fees — historically as low as $20–$30 per ton on Colorado's Front Range, compared to the national average of $55 per ton — reduced the economic urgency to recycle. With cheap disposal available, municipalities and businesses had limited financial motivation to invest in more aggressive diversion.

 

2022: The Turning Point:

The year 2022 marked a transformation in Denver's approach. Two interconnected actions reshaped the city's waste future. First, the Denver City Council passed the Expanded Waste Services ordinance in June 2022, creating a pay-as-you-throw trash system with monthly fees of $9, $13, or $21 depending on cart size — while simultaneously upgrading recycling from biweekly to weekly service for all households. Second, in November 2022, Denver voters approved the Waste No More ballot initiative by a 70% supermajority, legally mandating recycling and composting access for all multifamily buildings, commercial businesses, restaurants, construction projects, and permitted events.

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2023–2025: Implementation and Expansion:

January 2023 saw the rollout of weekly recycling for all 180,000 DOTI-served households — a significant upgrade that doubled collection frequency. The compost program began rolling out in mid-2023, reaching 40,000 early adopters, and accelerated in 2024 to serve 75,000 homes. The Waste No More ordinance continued to move through regulatory development, with full enforcement deadlines set for September 1, 2026.

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Current Recycling Programs and Services

Curbside Recycling — Single-Family Residential: Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) operates weekly curbside recycling for approximately 180,000 single-family homes and properties with seven or fewer dwelling units. Residents use the distinctive purple-lidded carts for single-stream recycling, with no need to sort materials. Collection occurs on the same day as trash pickup.

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As of January 2023, recycling pickup increased from biweekly to weekly for all DOTI customers as part of the Expanded Waste Services program. Note: Beginning in January 2025, to accelerate the compost cart rollout, recycling collection shifted back to biweekly for some customers — a trade-off to free up truck capacity for green compost cart deliveries.

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Denver and Colorado as a whole lag significantly behind national averages for recycling and composting. As of 2023, Denver sends 71% of its solid waste to the landfill, meaning only 29% of materials are diverted through recycling, reuse, or composting. In 2023, Colorado diverted only 15.5% of municipal solid waste (MSW) from landfills, a rate less than half the national average of 32.2%. Though, there was a positive trend from 2018-2023; a 6% decrease in the total tonnage of municipal waste on a per capita basis, from 6.8 to 6.4 pounds per person per day. 

 

Colorado’s low recycling and composting rates drove Denver's "Waste No More" initiative beginning in 2025. "Waste No More" requires all apartments and restaurants to provide recycling and composting services, extending access beyond the single-family homes that were traditionally served by the city. This is a significant expansion from the previous voluntary system. In 2023, Denver transitioned to a pay-as-you-throw trash service, with fees based on the size of the trash cart. This included free, unlimited recycling and composting collection to incentivize diversion and penalize excessive waste. In 2022, Colorado passed a Producer Responsibility law (HB22-1355) to help fund statewide recycling. The program requires companies that sell packaging to contribute to the cost of recycling, which will increase recycling access in rural areas and apartments. 

 

Factors contributing to low citywide diversion rates include the lack of historical multi-family access to recycling and composting services. Historically, Denver residents paid for waste collection through the city's general fund, offering no financial incentive for households to reduce waste. Historically, businesses were not required to recycle and often lacked services. Inexpensive landfills reduced financial incentives for businesses and communities to invest in recycling infrastructure. Unlike in other parts of the country, Colorado has historically had very low landfill dumping fees.

 

Looking ahead, Colorado is in the midst of a "major transformation" of its recycling system. As mandatory collection services and financial incentives roll out under recent legislation, officials hope to significantly boost Denver's recycling and composting rates and catch up to the national average.