Ethan Clarke
Denver makes it easy for residents to recycle most household plastic packaging. However, it's important to note that not all plastics can be recycled in the city. Denver accepts rigid plastic (hard plastic) containers marked with a ♳ through ♹ (1 through 7) but not everything with these symbols is acceptable. For instance, plastic bags, plastic wrap, and plastic films cannot be recycled in Denver's purple carts and should be dropped off at supermarkets or grocery stores instead.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic film | Not accepted in curbside recycling. Drop off at supermarkets or grocery stores. |
| Plastic bags | Not accepted. Drop off at grocery stores. |
| Plastic grocery bags | Not accepted in purple carts. |
| Plastic containers | Accepted if rigid and marked with a #1 through #7. |
| Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, cups, trays | Accepted if rigid and marked with a #1 through #7. |
| Plastic milk jugs | Accepted if rigid and marked with a #1 through #7. |
| Plastic egg cartons | Accepted if rigid and marked with a #1 through #7. |
| Plastic containers larger than 3 gallons | Not accepted. |
| Plastic wrap | Not accepted. |
| Plastic sandwich and freezer bags | Not accepted. |
| Bubble wrap | Not accepted. |
| Plastic tubes | Not accepted. |
| Plastic cases for cassettes, DVDs, and CDs | Not accepted. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic film and bags
Plastic bags and films are recyclable, but they cannot be placed in your regular curbside recycling bin. Instead, you must drop them off at designated locations that accept plastic bags and films for recycling. Here are some important things to know about recycling plastic bags and films in Denver:
Not all plastic bags and films are accepted for recycling.
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Plastic containers
In Denver, plastic containers with recycling symbols numbered 1 through 7 can be recycled. These symbols are also known as Resin Identification Codes (RICs) or "chasing arrows". However, it's important to note that the presence of these symbols does not guarantee recyclability. Other characteristics, such as rigidity, also play a role.
Denver accepts rigid plastic containers, including bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, cups, and trays. These containers must be empty, with lids removed, and free of food residue and stickers. Examples include shampoo bottles, plastic tubs, "to-go" cups, milk jugs, and microwave dinner trays.
It is important to note that plastic bags, plastic films, and flexible plastics like plastic wrap and grocery bags are not accepted in Denver's purple recycling bins. These items can often be returned to grocery stores for recycling or taken to specific drop-off locations.
To ensure proper recycling, it is recommended to check with your local recycling company, as some jurisdictions may have specific restrictions on certain types of plastic containers. Additionally, consider composting and reducing unnecessary packaging to further reduce waste.
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Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, cups
Denver recycles plastic bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, and cups, but it's important to ensure that these items are properly prepared and sorted for collection to avoid contamination and ensure successful recycling. Here's what you need to know:
Plastic Bottles and Jugs:
- Acceptable Plastics: Look for the triangular recycling symbol with a number 1 or number 2 inside, indicating they're made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or HDPE (high-density polyethylene). Examples include water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, and shampoo bottles.
- Preparation: Ensure they are empty, rinse them out, and remove any pumps or triggers. No need to remove labels, just ensure they are dry before placing them in your recycling bin.
Plastic Jars, Tubs, and Cups:
Acceptable Plastics: Again, look for the recycling symbol with numbers 1 or 2. This category includes items like peanut butter jars, margarine tubs, and yogurt containers.
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Plastic recycling symbols
- Symbol 1 with the acronym PETE/PET or PETG: This symbol represents polyethylene terephthalate, a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic commonly used for food and beverage packaging, such as soda and water bottles, salad dressing bottles, and peanut butter containers. It is easily recyclable and widely accepted by most curbside recycling programs.
- Symbol 2 with the acronym HDPE: This symbol stands for high-density polyethylene, another common type of plastic found in household products like milk jugs, cleaning containers, shampoo, and detergent bottles. HDPE is lightweight yet durable, making it ideal for these applications. It is also easily recyclable and can be recycled up to 10 times.
- Symbol 3 with the letter "V": This symbol represents PVC or polyvinyl chloride plastic. PVC is lightweight and rigid, making it suitable for applications like bubble foils and trays for sweets and fruit. However, it is rarely recycled and is usually not part of curbside recycling programs.
- Symbol 4 with the acronym LDPE: This symbol stands for low-density polyethylene plastic, which is commonly found in shopping bags, highly resistant sacks, and crushed bottles. LDPE is not typically recycled but can be converted into floor tiles and shipping envelopes.
- Symbol 5 with the acronym PP: This symbol represents polypropylene plastic, which is known for its durability, strength, and low weight. PP is used in a variety of applications, including furniture, luggage, toys, and the packaging of items like ketchup and medicine. It is increasingly being accepted in curbside recycling programs.
- Symbol 6 with the acronym PS: This symbol stands for polystyrene or styrene plastic, which is commonly used in toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewellery, CD cases, and vending cups. Polystyrene is not widely accepted in curbside recycling programs, but it can be recycled into other products like egg cartons and takeout containers.
- Symbol 7 with the word "OTHER": This symbol represents "other plastics" that do not fit into the previous six categories. This includes materials like acrylic plastic, polycarbonate plastic, polylactic fibres, nylon, and fiberglass. Products with this symbol may contain harmful substances like BPA and LEXAN, so proper disposal is important to prevent negative impacts on human health.
It is important to note that the recyclability of a product depends on various factors, including the guidelines of your local recycling program. While these symbols provide information about the type of plastic, they do not indicate whether a product can be recycled. Always check with your local recycling guidelines, such as the Denver Recycles program, to ensure proper disposal and recycling of plastic products.
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Plastic bags and films
Acceptable items include:
Plastic bags, such as
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Frequently asked questions
Denver recycles plastics #1-7, including rigid plastic bottles, jugs, jars, tubs, cups, containers, and trays.
Denver does not recycle plastic bags, plastic films, bubble wrap, candy or food wrappers, cassettes, DVDs, CDs, containers larger than 3 gallons, or garden hoses.
Check for the Resin Identification Codes (RICs) stamped inside triangular recycling symbols. If the plastic is marked with a #1 through #7, it can be recycled. However, other characteristics like rigidity also matter. If the plastic is easily crumpled, it is not recyclable.
Plastic bags and films cannot be recycled with other plastics in Denver. Most grocery stores offer free recycling of plastic bags and films, so you can take them there for recycling.
Make sure your recycled items are clean and free of food residue. Do not throw used items like tissues, paper towels, napkins, or packing peanuts into the recycling bin.
