Recycle Right
Recycle right and reduce your carbon footprint. Reducing waste in Aspen can be confusing. That's why we offer our services to residents, visitors, businesses, and waste haulers. While we do not provide waste removal services, we do provide education, information, training, and tools for how to reduce waste, recycle right, and send food waste to the compost pile.
- Recyclable food containers should be rinsed and free of food remnants.
- Styrofoam products such as packing materials, beverage cups, and takeaway food containers go in the trash. Try reusing packaging.
- Unless compostable, take-away food containers go in the trash.
- Plastic toys and buckets go in the trash. Or, try donating plastic toys and reusing buckets.
- Plastic bags go in the trash. Try reusable bags instead.
- Recycling regulations differ depending on where you live. Check your local landfill and/or haulers to ensure you're recycling right. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Pitkin County Landfill Recycling Guide
Recycling in Aspen
In Aspen, we're here to help you make the right decisions when it comes to recycling. Check out these resources that can help with proper waste diversion and reduction:
- Compost Collection. Any organic, non-synthetic material can be composted at:
- Pitkin County Landfill
- Rio Grande Recycle Center in Aspen, email Ainsley Brosnan-Smith with the subject line “Organics Pilot.”
- Electronic Waste. Anything with a plug or battery is considered electronic waste and should not be put in the landfill.
- Household Hazardous Waste. Corrosive, toxic, ignitable, and reactive substances should be properly disposed of, not put in the landfill.
- Love Zero Waste App This handy resource helps you identify what gets recycled and what goes in the trash.
- Pitkin County Landfill. The landfill works to reduce waste generation and offers compost, recycling, education, and reuse programs.
- Single Stream Recycling. This is included with your curbside waste hauling services.
- Rio Grande Recycle Center. This is your local hub for recycling leaves and grass clippings, household batteries, glass bottles, textiles, and metal.
- Yard Waste Collection. Throwing yard waste in the trash is against the law in Aspen. You can dispose of leaves and grass clippings at the Rio Grande Recycle Center, and other organic materials are welcome at the Pitkin County Landfill.
Waste Ordinances in Aspen
The City of Aspen is committed to environmental stewardship and preserving our natural resources for generations to come. We have specific ordinances in place to align our community in best practices to support these efforts.
Want to Learn More?
From 2015 to 2017, The City of Aspen partnered with Pitkin County and contracted with waste consultants to analyze the waste composition of our community and make recommendations for reducing waste buried in the Pitkin County landfill. This was accomplished with both a Phase 1 and Phase II Study.
Contact Us
We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us with questions and for more information.
Ainsley Brosnan-Smith Waste Reduction & Environmental Health Specialist Email | Cell: 970-618-9757 |