Denver Trash, Recycling & Compost Pickup Schedule (2025)
Complete guide for Denver, CO: weekly trash, every-other-week recycling, weekly compost (citywide rollout), large item pickup every 9 weeks, holiday changes, drop-off & HHW options, and how to report missed service.
Updated:
Frequencies
Trash: weekly · Recycling: every other week · Compost: weekly (rollout accelerated in 2025). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Set-out Time
Place carts by 6:00 a.m. on collection day; lids closed; 2 ft clearance around carts. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Large Items
City collects every 9 weeks (limit: up to 5 large items + 10 bags; same weekday as trash). :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
📍 Address Lookup & Service Calendar (Official)
See your exact trash, recycling (A/B week) and compost days, get holiday adjustments, and add reminders in the City’s schedule tools. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Open Schedules & Reminders — Denvergov
Denver moved to **6:00 a.m. set-out** and adjusted routes in 2025; check your calendar before putting carts out. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
🗓️ Weekly Service & Set-out Rules
- Frequencies: trash weekly; compost weekly; recycling every other week. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- Set-out: place carts by 6:00 a.m.; keep lids closed; allow ~2 ft clearance on all sides; don’t block alleys/driveways. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Cart sizes & fees: PAYT rates based on trash cart size (35, 65, 95 gal). Recycling & compost are included to cut landfill waste. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Extras: use your next Large Item week for overage, or visit a transfer/drop-off site (see below). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Weather: during storms, crews may run late—leave carts out until serviced and check alerts in the calendar. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
♻️ Recycling — Accepted & Not Accepted
Accepted (Purple Cart)
- Paper & cardboard (flatten)
- Glass bottles & jars
- Metal cans, foil & trays
- Rigid plastics (bottles, jugs, tubs)
- Cartons (juice/soup)
Not Accepted
- Plastic bags/film; tanglers (hoses, cords)
- Food/liquids; foam foodware
- Batteries, electronics, propane tanks
Collection is every other week. Check your week in the City tool or app and use the Waste Directory for tough items. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
🌿 Compost — What Goes In & 2025 Rollout
- Weekly pickup: food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard debris (no plastic bags; see City rules). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- Denver accelerated the compost rollout to remaining customers in **Q1 2025** (citywide). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
📦 Large Item Pickup — Every 9 Weeks
- Collection occurs every 9 weeks on your regular trash weekday, up to 5 large items plus 10 bags per set-out (see the City page for prep rules). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- For appliances/electronics or HHW, use the specific City programs instead of curbside (see below). :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
🏗️ Drop-off & Household Hazardous Waste
| Site / Program | Address / Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek Recycling & Compost Drop-off | 7400 Cherry Creek S Dr, Denver, CO — Tue–Fri 9:00–12:00 & 13:00–16:30; Sat 8:00–12:00 & 13:00–15:00 (closed Sun/Mon & city holidays) | Free for Denver residents (ID required). Extra single-stream recycling + compost (yard/food). Branch size limits apply. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} |
| Household Hazardous Waste Program | City service for HHW (batteries, chemicals, etc.) — schedule via Denvergov | Proper disposal for toxics; not accepted curbside. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16} |
| Private Transfer Stations (fee) | North Denver & metro area (see list on City page) | Public drop-off for extra trash/large loads; call ahead for hours/fees. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17} |
🎉 Holiday Schedule (One-Day Delay)
- During observed City holidays, collections are delayed one day for the rest of the week (e.g., Mon→Tue). :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
City adjusted some 2025/26 routes and set-out times—always re-check your calendar near holidays. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
🚚 Missed Pickup — What to Do
- Recheck set-out (by 6:00 a.m.), lids closed, access/spacing; verify you had the right A/B recycling week. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
- If still missed, **leave carts out** and report via Denver Utilities Online or call **311 / 720-913-1311**. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
📞 Contacts (City & County of Denver)
- Solid Waste Management: program hub, schedules, large item, compost rollout. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
- Customer Service / 311: (720) 913-1311 — missed pickup, cart issues, billing via Denver Utilities Online. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
🔗 Data Sources
- Trash, Recycle & Compost — frequencies & large item :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
- Schedules, reminders, set-out rules :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
- Expanded Waste Collection (2025 changes) :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}
- Fact sheet: 2025 service shift (bi-weekly recycling; weekly compost) :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
- Recycling page (every other week; Waste Directory) :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
- Trash page (cart sizes & PAYT) :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
- Large Item Pickup (every 9 weeks) :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
- Cherry Creek Recycling & Compost Drop-off :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
- Household Hazardous Waste program :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}
- Recycling/Compost/Trash hub; report missed pickup :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}