Background

Colorado Springs, CO, (pop. 431,834) and surrounding El Paso County, CO, uses single-stream recycling through contracts with a number of regional waste haulers. Often referenced as an area with clean air and a very high quality of life, Colorado Springs accordingly leans green and highly encourages residential recycling. The hope is that the ease of single-stream can help tick up Colorado’s dismal 11% statewide recycling rate.

Materials recycled

Paper Including corrugated cardboard (flattened and clean), paperboard, milk/juice cartons, paper file folders, office paper, envelopes, junk mail, catalogs, newspapers, magazines, phonebooks and paper bags. Plastics Plastics #1 through #5 and #7 accepted. No Styrofoam. Metals Clean food and drink cans (aluminum, steel/tin), aluminum foil and aluminum trays are accepted. Glass Clean food and beverage containers only.

Frequency

Curbside recycling pick-up occurs on a weekly basis. Carts must be at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day and must be at least 3 feet from any obstructions.

Other programs

El Paso County operates a weekly yard waste collection program that is free for residents with a nonperishable food donation. County residents can take tree limbs (8 feet long by 8 inches wide or smaller), bush prunings, grass clippings, leaves, plants, sod and weeds to Rocky Top Resources (1755 E. Las Vegas St.) every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility may be closed during inclement weather. Colorado Springs has published a detailed map of the region’s extensive recycling drop-off locations here. Everything from basic recyclables, to electronic waste and household hazardous waste is covered. The City of Colorado Springs joined in partnership with Greener Corners to install 115 combination trash/recycling bins in the city’s downtown core and more than 90 recycling bins in some of the city’s most prominent parks. The program, which began in 2011, is currently planning expansion. For more information click here.

More information

Visit the City of Colorado Springs Recycling page for more recycling program info.