Cardboard Recycling in Aurora, CO

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

• Aurora: Trash & Recycling (opens in new tab) · City of Aurora
  • Aurora residents, HOAs or building managers arrange curbside service with one of the city’s permitted haulers. Checked October 26, 2026.
• WM Solutions: Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS) Landfill (opens in new tab) · WM (Waste Management)
  • The recycling center at DADS accepts single stream recycling at no charge. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Aurora: Recycling Opportunities (opens in new tab) · City of Aurora
  • Aurora’s Recycling Opportunities page has a "Cardboard, Glass, Plastics, Metals, and Paper" link that points to WM’s DADS location page. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Community Recycling Center (Castle Rock): official site (opens in new tab) · Community Recycling Center
  • The volunteer organization provides free recycling to Douglas County residents. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Cardboard is accepted; boxes must be flattened. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Recycling at the center is free. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • One bin of each pair is for cardboard only. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  • Packaging covered by the program includes paper, plastic, glass, metal, cartons and other packaging materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Secondary or grouped packaging, including boxes and cartons, is covered material (not exempt) even for regulated drugs and medical devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • According to CDPHE's FAQ (updated August 2026), Circular Action Alliance began implementing the program plan in June 2026. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • When residents see changes depends on where they live and local recycling infrastructure; CDPHE says the rollout is gradual ("a dial, not a switch"). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Waste haulers may not charge consumers a collection fee to recoup their costs for recycling services provided under the program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • If a resident's municipality does not participate, the resident can contact a participating waste hauler serving the area for recycling service at no cost. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Waste haulers are not required to provide recycling under the program; haulers that opt out are not reimbursed. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The program plan must describe how recycling will expand to applicable nonresidential locations (such as small businesses and schools), beginning no later than 2028. Checked October 26, 2026.
• RecycleOn Colorado (Circular Action Alliance): Free Recycling Service, From Peaks to Prairies (opens in new tab) · Circular Action Alliance
  • Colorado's statewide curbside recycling guide from Circular Action Alliance lists flattened cardboard, egg cartons, and food and beverage cartons as recyclable. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The statewide list is a guide for curbside (mixed) recycling and not all communities have the same services yet, so residents should check with their local program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Circular Action Alliance says residents will no longer be charged for recycling services that it pays for. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • Circular Action Alliance says the program begins with residential recycling and adds schools, government buildings and more by 2030. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CDPHE: Producer Responsibility program (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  • Colorado's 2022 Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act requires companies that sell packaging and paper products to fund a statewide recycling system for those materials. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CDPHE approved Circular Action Alliance's program plan in December 2025, and the alliance must begin implementing it by summer 2026. Checked October 26, 2026.
• Colorado General Assembly: HB22-1355 Producer Responsibility Program For Recycling (opens in new tab) · Colorado General Assembly
  • The program plan initially covers recycling services only for homes (residential covered entities). Checked October 26, 2026.
  • The program provides recycling services to covered entities: residences, public places, small businesses, schools, hospitality locations, and state and local government buildings. Checked October 26, 2026.
• CDPHE press release: New statewide recycling plan paves the way for free recycling access (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment · effective December 10, 2025
  • CDPHE projects the approved plan will bring no-cost recycling to an estimated 700,000 more Colorado households. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.