Recycling

In July of 2021, the City of Steamboat Springs adopted Routt County Climate Action Plan, which identified an ambitious waste reduction target that the County and its partners can pursue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the development of a circular economy within the community.

Increase diversion of waste to landfill to 46 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050.

Although the city does not offer waste hauling services, we do wish to Spur Change by supporting and educating our waste haulers, residents, visitors, and businesses in all their efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost.

Check Progress Toward Goals

Recycling Service Information

Commercial and residential waste collection companies operating within the city limits offer their residential customers a voluntary, curbside recycling program with single stream collection at no fee for such service other than their fee for general waste collection services.

For commercial (to include multifamily properties of three units or more), all collectors shall provide their commercial trash customers within the City of Steamboat Springs with a curbside recycling program for the collection of commingled recyclables including the provision of recycling containers.

How to Recycle in the ‘Boat

Focus on the top five in the recycling bin. Sometimes we get discouraged trying to get everything recycled. The EPA and others tell us that roughly 60% of what is in our waste is easily recyclable. If our goal is 46% by 2030, let’s start with a focus on the top five:

Corrugated Cardboard and Mixed Paper (brown kraft paper, newspaper, office paper, junk mail, paperboard) – no frozen food boxes
Plastic Containers #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE)
Aluminum drink and cat food cans (empty and clean)
Tin/Steel food and drink cans (empty and clean)
Glass Bottles (clean and empty) – no glassware or window glass