Cardboard Recycling in Denver, CO

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Denver: Recycling Service FAQ (opens in new tab) · City and County of Denver
  • Solid Waste Management collects recycling from residential buildings, including multi-family buildings up to 7 units. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Buildings with 8+ units and businesses are pointed to the Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance page instead. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Solid Waste can provide a second recycling cart at no additional cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Denver: Accepted for Recycling (opens in new tab) · City and County of Denver
  • Shipping and delivery boxes are accepted in Denver recycling, flattened and cut to no larger than 2 ft x 2 ft. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • All cardboard and paperboard boxes should be flattened. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Foil-coated paperboard and waxed cardboard are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No plastic bags of any kind are allowed in the recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Denver: Cherry Creek Recycling and Compost Drop-off (opens in new tab) · City and County of Denver
  • Denver residents only; proof of residency required. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • No commercial use and no commercial vehicles. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Two visits are allowed per resident per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The drop-off is a free way for Denver residents to recycle and compost. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The drop-off accepts all materials accepted in Solid Waste’s Recycling and Compost service (which lists cardboard boxes). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Only household recycling and compost material is accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Denver: Recycle (opens in new tab) · City and County of Denver
  • The drop-off provides free access to single-stream recycling and compost for Denver residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  • Packaging covered by the program includes paper, plastic, glass, metal, cartons and other packaging materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Secondary or grouped packaging, including boxes and cartons, is covered material (not exempt) even for regulated drugs and medical devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • According to CDPHE's FAQ (updated August 2026), Circular Action Alliance began implementing the program plan in June 2026. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • When residents see changes depends on where they live and local recycling infrastructure; CDPHE says the rollout is gradual ("a dial, not a switch"). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Waste haulers may not charge consumers a collection fee to recoup their costs for recycling services provided under the program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • If a resident's municipality does not participate, the resident can contact a participating waste hauler serving the area for recycling service at no cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Waste haulers are not required to provide recycling under the program; haulers that opt out are not reimbursed. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The program plan must describe how recycling will expand to applicable nonresidential locations (such as small businesses and schools), beginning no later than 2028. Checked October 26, 2026.
• RecycleOn Colorado (Circular Action Alliance): Free Recycling Service, From Peaks to Prairies (opens in new tab) · Circular Action Alliance
  • Colorado's statewide curbside recycling guide from Circular Action Alliance lists flattened cardboard, egg cartons, and food and beverage cartons as recyclable. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The statewide list is a guide for curbside (mixed) recycling and not all communities have the same services yet, so residents should check with their local program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Circular Action Alliance says residents will no longer be charged for recycling services that it pays for. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Circular Action Alliance says the program begins with residential recycling and adds schools, government buildings and more by 2030. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CDPHE: Producer Responsibility program (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  • Colorado's 2022 Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act requires companies that sell packaging and paper products to fund a statewide recycling system for those materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CDPHE approved Circular Action Alliance's program plan in December 2025, and the alliance must begin implementing it by summer 2026. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Colorado General Assembly: HB22-1355 Producer Responsibility Program For Recycling (opens in new tab) · Colorado General Assembly
  • The program plan initially covers recycling services only for homes (residential covered entities). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The program provides recycling services to covered entities: residences, public places, small businesses, schools, hospitality locations, and state and local government buildings. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CDPHE press release: New statewide recycling plan paves the way for free recycling access (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment · effective December 10, 2025
  • CDPHE projects the approved plan will bring no-cost recycling to an estimated 700,000 more Colorado households. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.