Single Stream Recycling
The Pitkin County Landfill offers single stream recycling, which means all recyclable materials are collected together. There is no need to separate your recyclables. Containers must be rinsed and free of any food waste and liquids.
ACCEPTED
NOT ACCEPTED
Recycling FAQs
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Unfortunately, even though these pots have an arrow symbol on them, they are NOT recyclable in our single stream system. You might be able to take them back to a plant nursery and they will likely reuse them! In the Roaring Fork Valley, Eagle Crest Nursery, Mountain Greenery, and Lowe’s will all accept used plastic pots.
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Styrofoam is NOT recyclable in Pitkin County. The best thing to do with Styrofoam is avoid it or reuse it for shipping and put it in the trash if you can’t.ext goes here
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Plant based plastics (#7) are typically made from corn or sugar cane, not petroleum, so they CANNOT be recycled. But you can compost them!
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Make sure to look at the bottom of the cup to see if it is made from plant materials. If it is labeled as a #7 plastic, or there is any indication on the cup that it is made from plants or is compostable/biodegradable, it is NOT recyclable.
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Almost! If the paperboard holds frozen foods or liquids (i.e., coffee or soup) it CANNOT be recycled. If it holds dry or refrigerated foods, it’s good to go!
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Either! Because of its low quality, newspaper is better to compost than recycle, but both will accept newspaper.
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Propane canisters are NOT recyclable. They are highly dangerous because they are pressurized and must be emptied carefully at the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center (PCSWC) Household Hazardous Waste facility. DO NOT pierce the canister yourself; take it to the HHW at the PCSWC.
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Aerosol cans need to be taken directly to the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center (PCSWC) for them to dispose of properly. DO NOT put these in the trash or recycle, take them directly to the PCSWC.
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Sports equipment such as skis/snowboards, boots, football pads, soccer and basketballs are NOT recyclable. Take these items to local consignment or thrift stores to repurpose them, or they can be taken to the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center Drop and Swap program.
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All wood must be taken to the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center for them to recycle specifically. Wood CANNOT be recycled in single-stream recycling.
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Yes! When boxes are not broken down, they must be flattened at the recycling facility, which increases labor costs and makes recycling more expensive.
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Yes!
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No, plastics bags should NEVER be put in single-stream recycling, they jam the machinery, and it takes time and labor to remove them, which increases the cost of recycling. Some of the grocers and retailers down valley from Aspen have dedicated receptacle for recycling plastic bags (City Market, Target, etc.).
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Styrofoam packing peanuts, plastic air pillows, bubble wrap and any other plastic packing materials should be taken to local shipping stores (UPS or Millennium Pack and Ship in Aspen) to be reused or thrown in the trash. They are NOT recyclable. Some packing peanuts, however, are compostable! You can identify these by putting them in water and if they begin to disintegrate, they are compostable!
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Paper coffee cups are NOT recyclable. Disposable coffee cups are lined with a thin layer of plastic. Some disposable coffee cups are compostable, though, so look to see if it’s labeled as certified compostable before throwing it in the trash!
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No, shredded paper is NOT recyclable in the single stream system. The machinery used to recycle paper does not register such small pieces and they contaminate other recyclables. Shredded paper is great to compost, but if you do not have access to compost or a shredded paper recycling service (PaperWise), then please place it in the trash.
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Light bulbs are NOT recyclable in single-stream recycling. They must be taken to designated locations to be disposed of or thrown away. City Hall 2nd floor, Alpine Bank, and the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center all accept used CFL light bulbs to recycle properly, other bulbs must be thrown away.
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If a pizza box has any grease on it, it CANNOT be recycled. However, it can be composted.
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Yes! Any cartons that are labeled as a “Tetra Pak” are recyclable!
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No. Soft paper such as napkins and tissues are NOT recyclable. They are great in compost, though!
Waste Haulers
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Single Stream recycling, trash, and compost collection
Residential and commercial
Phone 970.963.3435
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Special Materials Recycling
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TEXTILES
We accept textiles for recycling and reuse. Textile drop off is free.
Please adhere to the following guidelines:
• Place items in bags.
• Please do not overload bags.
• Bag shoes and boots separately
(They are processed differently). -
ELECTRONICS
In the State of Colorado, it is illegal to throw electronics, such as computers, televisions, and printers into the regular trash. The Pitkin County Solid Waste Center provides year-round electronic drop off. Electronics are sent to IT Refresh, Fort Collins where they are safely recycled or refurbished to be reused.
NOTE: Appliances and non-chip items like microwaves, stoves, and stereo speakers, are not considered electronics.
NOTE: Local thrift stores CANNOT accept used electronics. Please do not take printers, computers, or televisions for donation, even if they are in working order.
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MATTRESSES
Mattresses are diverted from the landfill due to the difficulty in compacting and burying them. They are shipped to Denver for recycling. Box springs are considered trash.
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TIRES
We are registered with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Education as a tire collection facility.
Tires may not be buried in the landfill; however, they are collected here for authorized disposal and recycling.
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BOOKS
We accept hardcover and soft cover books for reuse. Drop off books at the landfill during operating hours. There is no charge to recycle books. Phone books, magazines and catalogues should be placed into single stream recycling
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APPLIANCES WITH FREON (REFRIGERANT)
The Solid Waste Center will accept all refrigerant appliances for a flat fee of $45 per item. This includes refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning units and water coolers. They will be shipped separately to a company that recycles Freon properly. All other appliances: $6.50 per item
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PAINT
We collect all paint products. Contact the landfill at 970.429.2880 for quantities allowed and current pricing. The Solid Waste Center is a certified Paint Care collection facility.
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METAL
Scrap metal is accepted at the landfill free of charge.
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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Residents and conditionally-exempt small businesses may bring the following to the landfill for proper disposal and recycling:
• Chemicals
• Batteries Paints & oil
• Fluorescent lights
• Propane tanks
• Smoke detectorsThe Household Hazardous Waste facility located at the Pitkin County Landfill, operates year-round during normal landfill hours. Businesses are limited to 25 gallons of material a month. To drop off large quantities of materials, please call ahead to schedule an appointment.
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SHARPS (NEEDLES)
The Pitkin County Solid Waste Center is not permitted to accept medical waste of any kind, including needles.
For home use containers and mail back services please visit the following websites:
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MEDICATIONS
The Pitkin County Sheriff’s office has a collection box at 506 E Main #204 (Courthouse) Call 970.920.5300 for an appointment.
They will not accept chemotherapy drugs, marijuana, sharps or illegal drugs.
The Aspen Police Department partners with the DEA and generally has 2 collection events a year. They are also a collection point and can take medications. 970.920.5400.
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Learn about China’s requirements for contamination-free recycling, which has added significant challenges, and how you can improve the quality of our recycling and compost efforts.