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Single Stream Recycling

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1. What is single stream recycling?

Single stream isn’t anything fancy. It simply refers to a recycling system that will allow City of Durango residents to put paper, cardboard, plastic, and cans in a single recycling container for collection. Under the single stream recycling program, residents will no longer have to sort their recyclables. All recyclables, except for glass, will be placed in a single collection container.

2. Why is the City of Durango moving to single stream recycling?

Using one collection container for the majority of your recyclable products increases the ease and convenience of recycling, which encourages more people to participate and conserves more resources. We’re making recycling easier for City residents!

3. Do I need to sign up for the new program?

Yes! City of Durango residents who are interested in participating in the single stream recycling program need to sign up to participate. Residents who sign up for the program will receive a new 60-gallon recycling container. Sign up on-line at www.DurangoRecycles.com or by calling 970-375-5004.

4. When do we start?

The City began collecting single stream recycling on Monday, February 4, 2013.

5. How much does it cost to recycle?

The City offers single steam recycling as part of its garbage collection services. Your utility bill will reflect a $3 per month recycling fee, which helps offset the cost of collecting and processing recyclables.

6. If I don’t sign up for the new program can I continue to recycle in my old bin?

No. As part of the transition to single stream recycling, the City is moving to automated collection, which means that city residents will receive new recycling containers. The old recycling bins will be phased out as part of the transition to single stream recycling.

7. What should I do with my old recycling bin?

The City encourages residents to reuse their old recycling bins. These bins are great for transporting a variety of items, including glass to the glass recycling drop-off locations.

Another option is to donate your old recycling bin to the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center. The Environmental Center will use the old recycling bins to encourage recycling in the residence halls.

8. Will we be able to recycle more plastic products?

Yes! Under the single stream program, the City will accept #1-#7 plastic containers, not just #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs. Other hard plastic items, including toys, plastic chairs, flower pots and PVC pipe will not be accepted.

9. Will I be able to recycle my yogurt containers?

Yes! Yogurt containers typically have a #5 in the recycling symbol on the bottom of the container. The single stream recycling program will allow the City to accept plastics #1-#7. Plastic bags will not be accepted in the single stream recycling program.

10. How can I recycle my plastic bags?

You can recycle your plastic bags at most local grocery stores. Plastic bags will not be accepted in the single stream recycling program.

11. What other products can I recycle in the single stream program?

Under single stream recycling, residents will be able to recycle paper board (e.g. cereal boxes, 6-pack containers and shoe boxes); cartons (e.g. 1/2 gallon milk jugs and juice cartons); plastics #1-#7; aluminum foil and aluminum take out containers. While we’ve added new plastic items, there are some products that are still not recyclable. These products include, Styrofoam®, plastic bags, shrink wrap and plastic film and any other plastics that are not listed in the City’s recycling guidelines

12. Can I include glass in my single stream recycling container?

No. Glass will not be accepted in curbside single stream recycling containers. Glass can be recycled at the Recycling Center for free.

13. Can I still recycle glass?

Yes! The City will continue to collect and recycle glass as a separate stream. Glass can be recycled at the Durango Recycling Center for free.

14. Why is glass being collected separate from the single stream materials?

Collecting glass in a separate stream will allow the City to sell its recyclable material for a higher price. The recovery facilities that purchase the City’s recyclable material do not want glass in the single stream mix. By collecting glass separately, the City hopes to preserve single stream commodity values and the quality of its recyclable material.

15. Why can some communities with single stream recycling programs include glass with the co-mingled material, but Durango cannot?

Most communities that allow glass to be included with the single stream material transport their products directly to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) without baling the product. This helps prevent glass from contaminating other recyclable materials. Durango is isolated from larger MRFs that have the capability of sorting recyclable material including glass. As a result, rather than transporting recyclable products directly to a recovery facility, the City will bale its single stream products and ship them to market. The baling process causes glass to break, which contaminates the other recyclable products and decreases commodity values.

16. Should I put my recyclables in a bag before I place them in my single stream recycling container?

No. Please, do not bag your recyclables. Unlike your garbage, there is no need to bag your recyclables before putting them into your recycling container. If you generate more recyclable material than your 60-gallon container can hold, please do not place additional material or bags outside of your container. If you think you will generate more recyclable material than what will fit into a 60-gallon container, please call 375-5004 to request a 90-gallon recycling container. You can also drop your recyclables off at the Durango Recycling Center.

17. If I am a county resident, can I participate in the City's curbside recycling program?

No, the City of Durango offers curbside recycling services to city residents. County residents can recycle their products at the Durango Recycling Center or contact your service provider to see if they offer curbside recycling.

18. If I am not a City resident, where can I recycle my products?

he Recycling Center, located at 710 Tech Center Drive accepts single stream, glass, electronic and battery recycling. Non-city residents can recycle single stream, electronics, and batteries for a fee and during business hours. Glass recycling can be accessed twenty four hours a day without charge. For more information on the fees and hours please visit www.DurangoRecycles.com

19. If I am not a City resident, will I have to pay to drop my recyclable products off at the Recycling Center?

Non-city residents will be charged for their single stream, battery, and electronic recycling. Glass recycling is free for city and non-city residents. For prices please visit www.DurangoRecycles.com

20. If I am not a City resident, why do I have to pay to recycle my products at the Recycling Center?

The City’s recycling program is part of the Solid Waste and Recycling Enterprise Fund. The revenue for this fund is derived from user fees, which are paid for by city residents through monthly charges for garbage collection and recycling services. The cost to operate the Recycling Center and provide recycling services to non-city residents has historically been absorbed by city residents and commercial businesses through their monthly garbage collection and recycling rates. The new Recycling Center fees will help off-set the cost of providing this service to non-city residents.

21. Where does the City take the recyclable material that it collects?

The recyclable material that is collected by the City is transported to the Durango Recycling Center, located at 710 Tech Center Drive, where it is processed and sent to market.

22. Where can I get more information on the City’s Recycling Program?

For more information on the City’s recycling program, please visit www.DurangoRecycles.com