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Recycling Services
Single-Stream Curbside Recycling
Single-stream recycling services are provided, without additional cost, to the city's residential trash collection customers.
Since the program's beginning, participants have recycled thousands of tons of metals, plastics, paper, and cardboard, yielding significant savings in energy and natural resources.
How the Program Works
The recycling program is “single-stream”, meaning that all recyclables are placed in a single 90-gallon can that the city provides to each residential customer. The Single-Stream Recycling Guide and Calendar provides additional details about the program.
Preparing Recyclables
Contamination reduces the value of recyclables and increases the quantity of materials that end up in the landfill. Please follow these simple rules:
- Place only approved recyclables in your can.
- Empty and rinse containers.
- Remove and discard all plastic caps, lids, and pumps. It is not necessary to remove labels from containers.
- Remove plastic liners from cereal boxes and other non-paper items from paper materials and discard them in the trash.
- Place materials directly into can rather than “nesting” recyclables or placing them in boxes or bags.
Collection Schedule and Holidays Interruptions
Place cans no later than 6 a.m. on your collection day. A $35 fee is charged for ‘go back’ requests from customers who fail to have their recycling receptacle placed in time for collection and drivers may not be able to return until the next collection day.
Recycling containers are emptied once every two weeks according to the recycling calendar. Recycling collections and trash collections occur on different schedules. See the Trash Services page for trash collection instructions and schedules.
Blue cans are emptied on blue weeks and green cans on green weeks, unless notified otherwise by city personnel. A sticker on the top of the can shows the day of the week that it will be emptied.
Collections that fall on a city-observed holiday shift to Friday of the same week.
Placing the Recycling Can
On your designated collection day, please place the recycling can in the location that is used for trash pickup. Keep cans at least four feet away from obstructing objects. All recyclable items must be placed in the 90-gallon recycling can. The city will not collect other containers or items placed next to the can.
Recycling cans should be removed from the collection area after they are emptied and placed in a storage area that is clear of alleys or sidewalks.
Expanded Recycling Services
Electronic Waste: | Used Tires: | Lightbulbs (fluorescent): |
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Green Waste
As of January 1, 2021, the City of Montrose no longer accepts green waste. The labor costs associated with processing green waste were not sustainable for long-term fiscal stewardship. In addition, measures taken to prevent abuse of the program were ineffective, leading to complications and added costs for Public Works.
Alternatively, residents can participate in the City of Montrose’s annual leaf collection and spring clean-up or can dispose of green waste at the county landfill. City of Montrose utility customers may also contact Public Works at 970-240-1480 to schedule special pickups for a small fee.