Alexei Volkov
Durango, Colorado, has been recognised as a top recycler in the state, with a waste diversion rate of 32% in 2020. The city uses a single-stream mixed recycling system, allowing paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal to be collected together. Plastic bags, plastic wrappers, and plastic films are also recyclable at some grocery stores. However, Durango's recycling and composting rate has stagnated in recent years, and the state of Colorado is falling short of its recycling goals, with only 9% of plastic containers and packaging recycled across the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Recycling in Durango | Single-stream mixed recycling system |
| Accepted Plastics | No. 1 through No. 7 plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, trays, and containers |
| Plastic Not Accepted | Plastic bags, plastic wrappers, plastic film, flower pots, Styrofoam, oil or chemical containers, broken toys |
| Plastic Bags | Can be recycled at most local grocery stores |
| Plastic Recycling Center | Durango Recycling Center |
| Plastic Recycling Process | Collected, sorted, and processed for repurposing |
| Plastic Recycling Bin | Blue containers and dumpsters |
| Plastic Recycling Tools | "What Goes Where" Wizard tool, Single-Stream Recycling Guidelines |
| Plastic Recycling Contamination | Liquids or food residue, especially greasy and oily residue |
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What You'll Learn
Durango's single-stream recycling system
Durango, Colorado, has a single-stream recycling system, which allows for paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal cans to be collected together in a single recycling container. The term single stream refers to the common mixed-recycling system, differentiating it from a multi-stream system where different types of materials must be sorted into individual bins. Durango's system is considered dual-stream by some residents as glass is not accepted in the single stream and must be recycled separately at the Durango Recycle Center.
The single-stream system in Durango is designed to make recycling easier for residents and increase the amount of material recycled. The city provides blue containers and dumpsters for the collection of these recyclables. The collected material is then taken to the Durango Recycling Center, just west of town, where it is sorted and baled. It is then transported to Albuquerque and Friedman Recycling, a family-owned waste-control business, which also has operations in Arizona and Texas.
To ensure effective recycling, residents are encouraged to use the "`What Goes Where?` Wizard tool" on the city's website to check what can and cannot be recycled through the single-stream system. The website also provides guidelines and flyers to help residents understand the do's and don'ts of recycling.
Durango has been recognized as one of the top recyclers in Colorado, and its single-stream recycling system has played a role in this achievement. The city's waste diversion rate was 32% in 2020, and its commitment to recycling has helped keep waste out of landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Plastic bags and plastic films
Durango, Colorado, uses a single-stream mixed recycling system, which allows paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal to be collected together in a single blue recycling container. However, plastic bags and plastic films are not accepted in Durango's single-stream recycling system as they can get snagged on machinery and tangle up other materials.
Although plastic bags and plastic films are extremely difficult to separate from other recyclables at the processing facilities, many of them are recyclable through a separate, dedicated system. Plastic bags can be recycled at most local grocery stores, and plastic films can be recycled at some commercial locations. The most common thing that plastic bags are turned into is plastic boards, like the kind used for outdoor decks and park benches.
It is important to note that plastic bags and films should not be placed in the single-stream recycling containers as they can cause contamination. Instead, they should be recycled separately at designated locations.
Additionally, residents of Durango are advised to double-check what can and cannot be recycled. The "`What Goes Where?` Wizard tool" on the official website is a helpful resource to determine whether an item is recyclable through single-stream collections or other services.
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Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, trays and containers
Durango, Colorado, uses a single-stream mixed recycling system, which allows for paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal to be collected together in a single recycling container. The city accepts No. 1 through No. 7 plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, trays, and containers for recycling. Plastic items must have a number identifier to be recycled. Plastic bags, plastic wrappers, and plastic films can be recycled at some local grocery stores, but they must be collected through a separate, dedicated system.
To ensure your plastic items are recycled, make sure to fully rinse out and remove the lids from all containers. Items that cannot be rinsed out should not be recycled due to contamination concerns. Durango's recycling program specifically asks residents not to include plastic bags, flower pots, Styrofoam, oil or chemical containers, and broken toys in their recycling.
If you are unsure whether an item is recyclable, you can use the "`What Goes Where?` Wizard tool" on the City of Durango website to search for your item. You can also request that items be added to the list if they are not currently listed. Durango's recycling program is managed by the Durango Recycling Center, located just west of town at the Tech Center. The center collects and bales materials before transporting them to Albuquerque and Friedman Recycling, a family-owned waste-control business.
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Durango's waste diversion rate
Durango, Colorado, has a single-stream mixed recycling system that allows for paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal cans to be collected together in a single recycling container. The city collects residential and commercial garbage and recycling within its limits, and the materials are then taken to the Durango Recycling Center, just west of town, where they are sorted and processed for repurposing.
The city's sustainability coordinator, Imogen Ainsworth, emphasizes the importance of residents checking what can and cannot be recycled. Plastic bags, flower pots, Styrofoam, oil or chemical containers, and broken toys, for example, should not be included in the single-stream recycling as they can contaminate the entire load of collected recycling. Durango's What Goes Where? tool helps residents determine how to properly dispose of different types of waste.
The city of Durango is committed to reducing waste and increasing efficiency in waste management. They have implemented initiatives to improve recyclable diversion rates and have set a goal to be completely carbon neutral by 2050. Durango's sustainability efforts are focused on six sectors: water, energy, transportation and land use, sustainable consumption and waste, natural systems and ecology, and economic vitality and quality of life.
While I could not find a specific figure for Durango's waste diversion rate, the city's commitment to sustainability and waste reduction indicates a focus on improving diversion rates over time.
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Plastic recycling challenges
Durango, Colorado, has been recognised as one of the top recyclers in the state. The city's recycling program includes single-stream recycling, which allows paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal to be collected together and then sorted and processed for repurposing. However, despite Durango's strong performance in recycling, plastic recycling in the city, and in Colorado more broadly, faces several challenges.
One significant challenge is the issue of contamination. Plastic items that cannot be adequately cleaned, such as those with food residue or hazardous waste, cannot be recycled due to the risk of contamination. This includes items such as plastic bags, flower pots, Styrofoam, and oil or chemical containers, which are commonly included in recycling but can render entire loads of collected recycling unusable.
Another challenge is the remote location of Durango, which makes it difficult to access large materials recovery facilities. As a result, the city must send its recyclables to a vendor in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for processing, which increases the complexity and cost of recycling.
Additionally, there is a lack of standardised recycling practices across Colorado. While Durango has implemented a successful single-stream recycling system, other communities in the state may have different collection processes and regional sorting facilities, making it challenging to implement consistent recycling practices statewide.
Public education and awareness about plastic recycling also play a crucial role in overcoming these challenges. Ensuring that residents are informed about what can and cannot be recycled, as well as promoting the importance of reducing plastic waste, are essential steps in improving recycling rates and reducing contamination issues.
Furthermore, legislative support is vital in addressing plastic recycling challenges. While Durango has taken steps to phase out single-use plastic bags, a statewide ban or fee structure on these items could provide a more comprehensive solution, reducing plastic pollution and simplifying recycling processes.
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Frequently asked questions
Durango has a single-stream recycling system that allows paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal to be collected together in a single container. The city also provides blue containers and dumpsters for this purpose. The recyclables are then sorted at a materials recovery facility. Durango also has a bill to phase out single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam by retail stores and food establishments.
The city takes No. 1 through No. 7 plastic bottles, tubs, jugs, trays, and containers. Plastic bags, plastic wrappers, and plastic films are also accepted but must be collected through a separate system.
The city of Durango provides a "What Goes Where" Wizard tool on its website to help residents determine if an item is recyclable.
The materials are taken to the Durango Recycling Center just west of town. They are then baled and transported to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for further processing and sorting.
Yes, even if an item is not accepted through single-stream recycling, it may still be recyclable through a different service or program. For example, glass can be recycled for free 24/7 at the Durango Recycle Center, and plastic bags can be recycled at most local grocery stores.
