Regional Hub: Glass Recycling & Drop-off (Tue–Sat) — Denver’s “Purple Bin” Compliance Point
This regional hub helps residents stay compliant when apartment systems don’t accept certain materials. Many Denver apartment communities (especially 8+ units) are not serviced by Denver Solid Waste and must arrange services through private haulers—creating an “apartment gap” for recycling, composting, and bulky item disposal.[1][2]
The city’s primary resident drop-off hub for glass bottles & jars and other recycling/compost materials is the
Cherry Creek Recycling and Compost Drop-off (often referred to locally as the Cherry Creek transfer/drop-off area).[3]
Cherry Creek Recycling & Compost Drop-off (Purple Bin Materials + Food Scraps)
The “Purple Bin” Solution (Glass): Denver’s recycling guidance accepts glass bottles and jars in the purple recycling system (remove lids; follow posted rules).[4]
This site provides FREE drop-off for recycling and compost materials for Denver residents only—proof of residency required.[3]
Compost Drop-off: The Cherry Creek site accepts materials that are accepted in Denver’s compost service (food scraps and yard/plant debris per current city guidance).[3][5]
- Facility: Cherry Creek Recycling & Compost Drop-off (City & County of Denver)[3]
- Address: 7400 Cherry Creek S Dr, Denver, CO 80231[3]
- Hours: Tuesday–Friday: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM | Saturday: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–3:00 PM (Closed Sun/Mon & City Holidays)[3]
- Residency Rule: Denver residents only; proof of residency required (also limits on vehicles/visits per posted rules).[3]
- Glass Accepted: Glass bottles & jars are accepted in Denver’s purple recycling system (remove lids; follow posted rules).[4]
- Critical “Don’t Waste This Trip” Rule: NO paint or hazardous materials and NO trash/furniture are accepted at this drop-off site—bring only household recycling and compost materials.[3]
Crucial Warning: The “Apartment Gap” (8+ Units)
Strict warning for apartment residents: Denver’s curbside city services (trash, recycling, compost) are provided to single-family homes and buildings with 7 or fewer units.
These services are not offered to apartment/condo buildings with 8 units or more—those properties must contract with a licensed hauler to comply.[1][2]
Action: If your property does not provide glass recycling or organics, this Cherry Creek drop-off is the city’s primary resident option for accepted recycling/compost materials—but it is not a dumping site for furniture, trash, or chemicals.[3]
Hazardous Waste (Chemicals): Why This Is Hard for Apartments
The gap: The Cherry Creek drop-off does not accept paint or hazardous materials.[3]
Denver offers a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection program for eligible residents, but large apartment buildings (8+ units) are generally outside the city’s direct curbside service footprint—meaning HHW options can be more limited and may require alternate disposal planning.[1][6]
Solution (Paint): Use PaintCare drop-offs (many paint products recycled at no cost at participating sites).[7][8]
Solution (Other Chemicals): Many household hazardous waste programs in Colorado are limited by jurisdiction, may require proof of residency, and may charge fees—call ahead or use event-based options when available.[9]
Electronics (Banned): Where TVs & Computers Must Go
The rule: Colorado prohibits disposal of computers and many electronics in landfills—electronics must be recycled through appropriate programs.[10]
Recommended partner: Denver’s official e-waste guidance includes the E-cycle Coupon program for Denver residents, which supports discounted recycling of TVs/monitors and other items at a partner facility.[11]
A widely used certified recycler is:
Blue Star Recyclers (Denver)
(fees may apply; check current pricing before driving).[12][11]
Bulk Trash (Furniture): Apartments Often Don’t Get City Large-Item Service
Do not leave furniture at the dumpster or curb. Denver’s city “Large Item Pickup” is tied to service addresses in the city’s solid waste program footprint—again, 8+ unit buildings are not serviced by Denver Solid Waste and typically must handle bulky items through property procedures, private haulers, or fee-based drop-off facilities.[1][13]
Action: Ask property management for the approved bulky-item process (scheduled hauler day, loading-zone placement rules, and vendor). If you must self-haul, use an approved fee-based facility (call ahead for hours/fees and residency rules).[13]
EEAT Sources: [1] City & County of Denver: 8+ unit buildings not serviced by Denver Solid Waste (apartment gap) | [2] City & County of Denver: Solid Waste services limited to 7-or-fewer units | [3] Denver: Cherry Creek Recycling & Compost Drop-off (hours, address, proof of residency, “no hazmat/no trash”) | [4] Denver: Glass bottles & jars accepted for recycling | [5] Denver: Cherry Creek drop-off accepts materials from city recycling/compost service | [6] Denver: Household Hazardous Waste program overview | [7] Denver: PaintCare drop-offs referenced for paint recycling | [8] PaintCare: Colorado paint drop-off program (find locations) | [9] Colorado CDPHE: HHW programs often jurisdiction-limited; proof/fees may apply | [10] Colorado CDPHE: Electronics prohibited from landfill disposal | [11] Denver: E-cycle Coupon program (discounted electronics recycling) | [12] Blue Star Recyclers: Denver location (fees may apply) | [13] Denver: Large Item Pickup (service-based; drop-off facilities are fee-based)
Denver property owners and community managers: simplify recycling & organics compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with the City & County of Denver’s Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance (formerly “Waste No More”) to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey program.
In Denver, recycling and organics service is mandatory for multifamily and commercial generators under the voter-approved ordinance and subsequent City implementation updates. The City details requirements on its Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance hub and related guidance for construction & demolition (C&D), special events, and property manager duties.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Sustainability amenities that increase retention and curb appeal.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling & organics pickup reduces overflow and contamination.
- Compliance Simplified: Aligns with Denver’s code/implementation guidance for multifamily, C&D, and events.
- City Alignment: Inspector-friendly program design, signage/education, and documentation.
At a Glance: City & County of Denver Requirements
Multifamily Residential (8+ units)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling + Mandatory Organics (Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance).
- Applicability Threshold: Residential buildings with 8 or more dwelling units (phased compliance by size).
- Streams required: Trash, Recycling, and Organics available on site for residents and staff.
- Resident Education: Provide move-in + annual education and maintain records.
- Compliance Timeline (City presentations/updates):
- 75+ units: Jan 1, 2025
- 25–74 units: Jun 1, 2025
- ALL units: Formally Jan 1, 2026, now Sep 1, 2026
- Key City Links: Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance · Ballot/Draft Text (Waste No More) · Property Manager Duties (explainer)
C&D Projects & Special Events
- C&D Recycling: Covered projects must separate/recycle designated materials; submittal/documentation requirements are currently paused per Sept 15, 2025 update.
- Special Events: Permitted events must provide recycling & organics (three-stream setup at collection points).
- Key City Links: Universal Recycling (C&D) — CPD · Event Waste Plan (three-stream)
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) may issue warnings and administrative fines for noncompliance with the Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance. Typical enforcement begins with outreach, then written notice, and can escalate to fines if corrective action is not taken.
- Initial Notice: Courtesy warning and opportunity to correct noncompliance.
- 1st Violation: Up to $250 per day per violation.
- 2nd Violation: Up to $500 per day per violation.
- Ongoing Noncompliance: Fines may increase and affect permit renewals or inspections.
For details, see: City Enforcement Overview · Ballot Text Reference
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City & County of Denver)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Resources / Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Subscribe to Required Services | Active service agreements for trash, recycling, and organics for residents and staff (8+ units, phased by size). | Ordinance Hub |
| ☑ Minimum Streams & Access | Provide trash, recycling, organics at convenient locations equal to trash; maintain container lids, cleanliness, and signage. | Duties overview |
| ☑ Resident Education & Records | Deliver move-in and annual education; retain service logs, signage/education records, and (if requested) a waste diversion plan. | City Guidance |
| ☑ C&D Projects (If Applicable) | Separate designated materials for recycling; note that documentation submittals are currently paused while City updates are finalized. | CPD C&D Update (Sept 15, 2025) |
| ☑ Special Events on Property | If hosting permitted events, provide three-stream collection (trash + recycling + organics) at all collection points with signage. | Event Waste Plan |
Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Denver property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.
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