Recycling Center

Single Stream Recycling Guide Opens in new windowThe Town of Erie Department of Public Works maintains a Recycling Center which accepts single stream recycling (plastic, paper, glass, metal, cardboard, etc.). Single-stream recycling bins are emptied by Waste Connections weekly and cardboard only bin is emptied by Western Disposal.

Learn before you visit which items you can and cannot recycle by downloading the Single-Stream Recycling Guide. For additional recycling and waste disposal resources visit the Recycling and Waste Disposal webpage.

**The Recycling Center Drop-off Facility will be open during construction. Please drive slowly as there will be additional contractors and equipment on-site. Yard waste drop-off is coming soon!

Location & Hours

  • 1000 Briggs Street
  • Please respect the gates and posted hours:
    8 a.m. - 4 p.m, 7 days/week (weather permitting)
    • (edited 9.2.2021)

Closures

To be notified of temporary and holiday closures to the Recycling Center, subscribe to the Alert Center.

Etiquette

  • Do not leave anything outside of the bins or on the street in front of the facility. Any items that are not placed in the bins will not be recycled and potentially cause the Recycling Center to close temporarily for cleanup. 
  • Be prepared to unload your single-stream recycling and break down cardboard boxes.
  • Please remove any plastic bags and styrofoam from recycling and cardboards. These items cannot be recycled at the Town's Recycling Center Drop-off Facility at this time.
  • Visitors must check-in with staff upon entry.
  • Must provide proof of Erie residency. Similar to the Community Center Membership, if you pay your water bill to Erie you are considered a resident.
  • Please do not visit the Recycling Center if you feel unwell, have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

Contact

For more information, call Sustainability at 303-926-2880 or email tkesler@erieco.gov.

Where Does Erie's Recycling Go?

Erie's recycling is transferred exclusively to the Boulder County Recycling Center. To learn more about how the recycling is sorted, sold, and reused please watch a virtual tour or in-person tour through the link above. For more information, view the 2020 Boulder County Recycling Center Annual Report.

  1. Accepted Items
  2. Prohibited Items
  3. Other Facilities
  4. Recycling Resources

Single Stream Recycling Accepted at the Erie Recycling Center
Please flatten all cardboard boxes, empty and rinse all containers (do not flatten containers).

Single Stream Recycling GuideLearn before you visit which items you can and cannot recycle by downloading the Single-Stream Recycling Guide. 

  • Paper egg cartons
  • Cardboard boxes (must be broken down) – Cereal boxes
  • #1-7 Plastic tubs and screw-top jars (No lids, No #7 PLA compostable; Do not flatten)
  • Cans (Do not crush or flatten)
  • Loose metal jar lids and steel bottle caps
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Paper milk/ juice cartons (No foil pouches; Do not flatten)
  • Clean, balled aluminum foil (2" or larger) and pie pans
  • Loose metal jar lids and steel bottle caps
  • Magazines, brochures and catalogs
  • Phone Books
  • White or pastel office paper
  • File folders
  • Newspapers and inserts
  • Opened mail and greeting cards
  • Paperback books
  • Empty aerosol cans and no caps

Please DO NOT "wish-cycle"! 

Download the A-Z Recycling Guide App, available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

NOT accepted:

  • NO Plastic Bags
  • NO materials in Plastic Bags
  • NO Shredded Paper
  • NO Scrap Metal
  • NO Hazardous Waste
  • NO Diapers or Other Bio-Hazardous Waste
  • NO Non-Recyclable Plastics
  • NO Flattened containers
  • NO Caps or Lids on Glass Bottles or Jars
  • NO Liquids
  • NO Ceramics or Non-Recyclable Glass
  • NO Frozen Food Containers

Download the Dirty Dozen Guide for explanations for why each item cannot be recycled and how to dispose of it responsibly. Please help your Town recycle as much as possible and keep our employees safe. As always, thank you for recycling!