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Recycle, Compost & Trash

Cart Service Guidelines

 

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Cart Set-out Requirements:

  • Set your trash, recycle, and compost carts out for collection by 7 AM on your collection day, but no earlier than 7 PM the night before. Collection vehicles will not be able to return for late set outs, as service resources are extremely limited.
  • Allow 2 feet of clearance on all sides of your carts. Obstructions such as cars, fences, poles, overflow trash, LIP items or other collection containers may prevent the automated trucks from emptying your cart.
  • Bag all of your trash, do not bag recycling.
  • Be sure to set your cart away from any garage overhangs or obstructions above the cart.
  • Keep your cart lid closed whenever possible.
  • Use your cart to full capacity, but do not overfill the cart.
  • Do not place unacceptable items in your trash, recycle, or compost carts. Please see FAQ pages for more information (located in the column on the right).
  • Only one collection per household on day of service.

Using Your Cart:

For trash, recycle, and compost carts, 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”

Existing recyclers are encouraged to look further to maximize recycling efforts by making sure they are capturing all the recyclables they can. Recyclers with the original 65-gallon recycle cart can upsize to a 95-gallon cart if more capacity is needed, or even get a second recycling cart.

Maximizing recycle and compost opportunities offered through the Denver Recycles program can help make a smaller trash cart possible. Order your 35 gallon trash cart today online or by calling 311 (720-913-1311).

  • 35 gallon = Cart weighs 25 lbs. empty
    • Height = 40”, Width = 21”, Depth = 24”

**We do offer 35 gallon compost carts for residences with minimal space or no yard debris.

Each compost cart has a unique alphanumeric serial number and each unique serial number is assigned to a specific address.  

This serial number is printed on the front of each cart in white lettering.

Trash and compost cart collection service is weekly. 

  • Compost collection is year round, even during the winter months.  

Recycle cart collection is bi-weekly. Please check the collection schedule for your collection day.

For the quickest resolution of service-related issues in the future, please contact our Customer Service team directly at 311 (720-913-1311) or www.pocketgov.com.

Please be sure to contact Solid Waste Management prior to moving to update your account status. Outdated account information could result in you continuing to be billed for services, payments made under the wrong account number or lost compost carts.

Composting carts are the property of the City and County of Denver.  Each cart is assigned by serial number to an exact address.

MOVING IN?

  1. Find out your recycling service information at View My Service Schedule.
  2. Need recycling service? Sign-up here. 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 compost 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.

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.

To find out your cart set out location enter your home address online at Your Pickup Schedule or please contact our Customer Service team directly at 311 (720-913-1311). 

CURB SET OUT:

  • Place your cart in the street adjacent to the curb in front of your house. The front of the cart should face the street.

ALLEY SET OUT:

  • Do not block access to your neighbor’s driveway, gate, garage or property.
  • Place your cart at least four feet away from any trash containers, fences, cars or other obstructions.
  • Make sure the front of the cart faces the alley.

All service carts must be stored on your property, out of public view as best as you can on non-collection days.

  • Do NOT store your carts in the alley or on the street.
  • Store your carts in your garage, breezeway, side of house, shed, or other location.
  • Carts continually left in alleys or on the street may be removed.

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 or damage, and misuse or vandalism to the carts
  • 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. 

What do I do when my collection is on the same day as my scheduled street sweeping?

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

  
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.
  

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.
  

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.
  


Moving your containers off the street on sweeping days will reduce the in & out "snaking" by the sweepers and enable the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to keep your street clean.

Request a New Decal For Your Recycling Cart

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.

To get a recycling cart lid decal, call 311 (720-913-1311) 

A note on applying your decal to the cart

Before putting the decal on the cart lid, make sure the lid is clean, dry, and at a moderate temperature. The decal will not adhere properly to cold, wet surfaces.

 

Service FAQs

Compost Service FAQs
Recycle Service FAQs
Trash Service FAQs

Quick Links:

Appliance Recycling
Electronics Recycling
Household Hazardous Waste
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Download our Service Guides:

Compost Service Guide
Recycle Service Guide
Trash Service Guide