Waste Reduction and Recycling

Durango's Waste & Consumption Sustainability Principles

Durango’s individuals and organizations utilize products and materials in a thoughtful manner, considering the environmental and social impacts of both production and disposal.
Consumption emphasizes products that are sustainably produced, locally produced, are long-lasting and repairable, are non-toxic, and are recyclable at the end of their useful life.
Disposal emphasizes reuse, repurposing, recycling, and composting over landfill.

Sustainable Consumption & Source Reduction: Encourage conscious purchase and use of materials and products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce single-use disposability, and support Durango’s local economy.
Waste Reduction & Diversion: Reduce the amount of material going to landfill and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste disposal by increasing waste diversion rates and expanding productive end-use options for regional waste.
Food Systems: Support an interconnected food system that is healthy, inclusive, equitable, and resilient to change.

Find ways to reducing consumption and waste in the first place before recycling and composting.
Use reusable options instead of disposables for everyday items like coffee mugs, shopping bags, food containers, and utensils.
Donate and sell gently used goods.
Utilize bulk and re-fill options for food items

Focus on the everyday basics: paper and carboard, hard plastic containers, aluminum, and steel cans.
Make sure you're items are relatively free of food and liquid residue.
Don't wish-cycle and throw things away that aren't actually recyclable - this increases costs and clogs up the recycling systems
Take a moment to research how to recycle additional items like electronics, automotive materials, appliances, and household hazardous waste. Visit the City of Durango Recycling web pages for more information.
Utilize online or mail-in programs for even harder to recycle items like clothing fabric or plastic wrappers.

Visit the City of Durango Compost web page to learn more about at-home composting and the city's partnership with Table to Farm Compost.

Be sure to consider how you're consuming and disposing of food in addition to other materials; visit the Food Matters page for more information.

Guide your purchases with trustworthy labels and certifications that reflect your values as a consumer.
Buy locally-produced products and from locally-owned retailers to support our local economy and vibrant downtown.