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Trash, Recycle, Compost

The Town partners with Waste Management for weekly trash and bi-weekly recycling pickup.

Trash Pickup: Every Thursday Morning 

  • Set Out By: 7:30AM 

Recycling Pickup: Every other Thursday 

  • Set Out by 7:30AM 
  • Crested Butte now uses one bin for all recycling, single-stream recycling, please put all of your recyclable items in the large green polycart with the yellow lid. 

Holiday Delays: If pickup falls on or after a holiday, service moves to Friday.

  • Observed Holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas

Alternative Recycling Options

Waste Management Drop-Off

Recyclables can be dropped off Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM at the Riverland Transfer Station (467 Riverland Dr). Refer to the list above for accepted items.

Gunnison Recycling Center
Open 24/7 at 10th & Rio Grande Ave (west of the airport).

For more information, call 970-641-0044.

 

Recyclable Items

Aluminum, Tin, and Steel Cans

  • Recycle clean pet food cans, coffee and drink containers, and canned goods. These are accepted crushed or uncrushed. 
  • Foil and food trays are not accepted.

Glass

  • All colors of bottles and jars are accepted. Please remove lids (they can be recycled separately).

Paper and Cardboard

  • Accepted items include brown paper bags, office paper, newspapers, magazines, flattened cardboard, and dairy or juice cartons. 
  • Do not include craft paper, paper towels, cafeteria waste, or fluorescent paper.

Plastics #1–7

  • Accepted plastics include wide-mouth containers (like yogurt or butter tubs), clear deli clamshells, personal care and prescription bottles, plastic pails, Nalgene bottles, and clean flower or garden pots.
  • Unacceptable plastics include anything with food residue (please rinse!), frozen entrée trays, shrink wrap, plastic bags, Styrofoam, compostable cups or bottles, and chemical containers (such as motor oil, antifreeze, or pesticides).

 

 

Common recycling mistakes infographic

Resources: 

Common Recycling Mistakes

Single-Stream Recycling Guide

Local Waste Management: 970-349-1032 ex. 3

Composting In Crested Butte 

The Towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte have partnered with Elements Mountain Compost to launch a year-long residential compost drop-off pilot program.

Location:

The drop-off site is on the east side of the Chamber of Commerce building at the 4-Way parking lot. View drop off pin.

Membership:

Compost memberships are $17 per month. Limited scholarships are available on a case-by-case basis.

Early Sign-Up Bonus:

The first 50 participants will receive a free compost bucket, which can be picked up at either Crested Butte or Mt. Crested Butte Town Hall.

Sign up now!

For questions about the program or your membership, email info@elementscompost.com

Wildlife-Resistant Trash Containers

To reduce wildlife encounters and protect public safety, the Town enforces regulations on trash storage and curbside placement. These rules apply to both residential and commercial properties.

Residential Trash Guidelines
  • Residents may set out up to three 35-gallon cans per week.
  • On non-pickup days, trash cans must be stored indoors (in a garage or building).
  • On pickup days, cans may be placed curbside only between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM and must be returned inside by 6:00 PM.

If indoor storage is not possible:

  • Use an approved wildlife-resistant polycart.
  • Polycarts may be placed at the curb after 6:00 PM the night before pickup and must be removed by 6:00 PM on collection day.

About Wildlife-Resistant Polycarts:

  • Polycarts feature latching lids designed to deter wildlife.
  • Pick up polycarts from: 
Commercial Trash Guidelines

Containers holding wildlife-edible waste must be stored in one of the following:

  • An approved wildlife-resistant polycart
  • A wildlife-resistant dumpster
  • A container stored indoors

Waste grease must be placed in:

  • A wildlife-proof grease container, or
  • A container stored inside a building

Grease containers must be secured and placed on a level surface.

Suppliers: