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13 Best Recycling Centers in Denver

Denver recycling centers handle very different materials, from household drop-offs and cardboard after a move to commercial scrap, electronics, vehicles, and business equipment.

Before loading the car or arranging a recurring pickup, identify the material, quantity, and handling requirements. The right center should clearly explain accepted items, preparation, data-sensitive disposal, and whether its service fits household or contractor needs.

How this guide is ordered

Research came first: we studied recycling centers across Denver and held on to the businesses that specialize most, that customers review best and that give complete details.

Certain businesses pay to appear in more visible positions.

Top 3Full listMapHow to choose

Compare 13 local options

All Recycling Inc, Denver#1
What stands out
  • Scrap metal and electronics recycling

  • Quick, straightforward drop-off

All Recycling Inc

4.6423 reviews
1775 W Wesley Ave, Englewood, CO 80110, United States

All Recycling Inc is a Denver recycling center focused on scrap metal, including ferrous, non-ferrous, and electronic materials. It serves people clearing out items such as old wheelbarrows, fencing, garden carts, washing machines, rotors, and other accumulated metal, turning unwanted material into a recyclable resource.

The process is designed to be quick and straightforward, with helpful staff and an efficient drop-off experience. As part of Metro Metals, the operation also supports broader metal recycling and the recovery of materials that might otherwise reach landfills.

Denver Metal Recycling#2
What stands out
  • Broad scrap and electronics acceptance

  • Commercial haul-away support

Denver Metal Recycling

4.4352 reviews
4770 Ivy St, Denver, CO 80216, United States
Best for
Large commercial scrap loadsHousehold metal cleanouts

Denver Metal Recycling accepts a wide range of scrap, including steel, aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, electronics, vehicles, batteries, catalytic converters, and aluminum wheels. The operation supports both convenient drop-off and commercial haul-away services, with containers, carts, trailers, and staff available for larger recycling jobs.

Separate yards for different metal types help organize the process, while the company emphasizes fast response, straightforward pricing, scrap consultation, and market-based purchasing. It is a practical destination for household cleanouts, restaurant equipment, construction materials, and commercial loads.

Blue Star Recyclers, Denver#3
What stands out
  • Secure electronics and data-focused recycling

Blue Star Recyclers

4.687 reviews
953 Decatur St, Denver, CO 80204, United States
Best for
Household electronics clear-outsBusiness equipment recycling

Blue Star Recyclers specializes in secure, ethical electronics recycling for Denver households and businesses. It accepts items such as computers, monitors, servers, printers, keyboards, televisions, and other electronics, with a process designed to protect data and keep usable materials out of landfills.

Drop-off is organized and efficient, while business customers can arrange one-time or recurring pickups for offices, organizations, and events. The nonprofit model adds a social dimension: electronics recycling helps create employment opportunities for adults with autism, people with disabilities, and others facing barriers to work.

CLocal option
#4
What stands out
  • Wide range of non-ferrous metals

Can Land Recycling

4.842 reviews
6141 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80221, United States

Can Land Recycling is a Denver recycling center focused on aluminum cans and non-ferrous scrap metals. It buys copper wire and tubing, insulated wire, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, batteries, lead, zinc, electric motors, and related materials, accepting both sorted and unsorted loads.

Friendly staff make the process approachable for first-time visitors, helping with sorting and explaining how different materials are handled. The center is a useful option for household metal clear-outs, community recycling projects, and anyone looking to turn cans or scrap into cash.

Lakewood Recycling Center, Denver#5
What stands out
  • Wide range of everyday recyclables

  • Staffed community drop-off

Lakewood Recycling Center

4.3188 reviews
1068 Quail St, Lakewood, CO 80215, United States
Best for
Household recycling drop-offsRegularly sorted recyclables

Lakewood Recycling Center accepts a broad selection of household recyclables, including cans, bottles, plastic bottles, and cardboard. Its staffed drop-off format is designed for residents who want a practical way to reduce waste, particularly where apartment recycling options are limited.

Helpful attendants and a clean, orderly setting make the process accessible for regular visits. Sorting materials before arrival can make unloading faster and help keep the drop-off area moving smoothly.

Direct Polymers, Denver#6
What stands out
  • Plastic recycling for unusual items

  • Photo-based material review

Direct Polymers

4.540 reviews
3601 E 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80216, United States

Direct Polymers helps Denver-area customers recycle plastic materials and develop practical solutions for difficult items. The service can accommodate products such as plastic Adirondack chairs and storage-tub lids, with staff able to review photographs and confirm whether materials are suitable before arrival.

The facility is oriented toward business and larger-load recycling, with a helpful team that can assist with unloading and custom recycling needs. It is best suited to customers handling unusual or substantial plastic items rather than routine household containers.

A1 Organics Mountain States, Denver#7
What stands out
  • Compost, mulch, and soil products

A1 Organics Mountain States

4.2146 reviews
2300 W Radcliff Ave, Sheridan, CO 80110, United States

A1 Organics Mountain States processes organic materials into composts, mulches, topsoils, and other landscape products for Denver-area residents, businesses, landscapers, agricultural users, and institutions. The Sheridan operation accepts organic recycling streams and supplies materials for gardens, lawns, landscaping, and larger commercial projects.

Ordering and delivery are supported by clear communication, helpful product guidance, and drivers who can place materials where they are needed. The company’s composting work diverts substantial organic waste from landfills and turns it into useful soil and landscape resources.

Denver Scrap Metal Recycle Center#8
What stands out
  • On-the-spot scrap payments

  • Straightforward three-step process

Denver Scrap Metal Recycle Center

4.0726 reviews
4920 Washington St, Denver, CO 80216, United States

Denver Scrap Metal Recycle Center is a Denver salvage yard for ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal. Drop-off service is designed to be straightforward, with payment provided on the spot and no appointment required. The process follows three basic steps: bring in the material, have it weighed, and receive payment.

The yard is known for quick organization and helpful staff who can answer questions about recyclable metals. It serves both everyday visitors clearing unwanted metal and businesses handling larger loads, while also highlighting the environmental value of recovering usable materials.

Atlas Metal & Iron Corp, Denver#9
What stands out
  • Handles many metal categories

  • Container service for job sites

Atlas Metal & Iron Corp

4.1254 reviews
1100 Umatilla St, Denver, CO 80204, United States
Best for
Contractors with recurring scrap

Atlas Metal & Iron Corp is a Denver recycling center handling copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, lead, cast iron and other marketable metals. Retail visitors can bring smaller quantities for purchase, while industrial customers can arrange container service with delivery and exchange at a job site.

The operation pairs knowledgeable staff with broad metal-processing capabilities, including a major wire-chopping facility for copper wire. Its long-running presence in the region and focus on individual as well as commercial customers give it a useful range for household cleanouts, contractors and industrial accounts. Online estimates are available, adding a convenient starting point before bringing material in.

All Recycling North, LLC, Denver#10
What stands out
  • Helpful metal sorting guidance

All Recycling North, LLC

4.1218 reviews
5350 Washington St, Denver, CO 80216, United States

All Recycling North is a Denver recycling center and transfer station serving metal recovery and disposal needs. The operation is organized around efficient yard flow, with scale-house staff who can help identify different non-ferrous metals and explain how materials are categorized.

Its clean, orderly setting and generally quick turnaround make the location approachable for both regular haulers and people bringing a mixed load for the first time. The broader operation also supports transportation, yard services and industrial metals recovery, connecting local drop-off work with a larger recycling network.

Curbside Recycling, Denver#11
What stands out
  • Helpful cardboard unloading

  • Accepts bubble wrap

Curbside Recycling

4.417 reviews
4900 Dahlia St, Denver, CO 80216, United States
Best for
Cardboard from a moveHousehold cleanouts

Curbside Recycling gives Denver-area households and businesses a convenient place to drop off cardboard and selected hard-to-handle materials. The facility is notably easy to use: visitors can pull in, check in, unload with assistance when needed and leave without a complicated process. Staff are patient about explaining what the facility accepts, including specialty items such as bubble wrap.

The clean site and helpful unloading support suit garage clear-outs, moves and everyday recycling runs. Curbside also operates a broader waste-removal business serving residential, commercial and construction projects across the Denver metro area.

Action Recycling Center - Metal Recycling ONLY, Denver#12
What stands out
  • Metal recycling only

Action Recycling Center - Metal Recycling ONLY

3.826 reviews
7610 W 42nd Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, United States
Best for
Electricians with scrap wireMetal-only drop-offs

Action Recycling Center is a Denver recycling center focused exclusively on metal recycling. The site handles common scrap loads and provides on-site assistance with unloading, making it particularly familiar to electricians and visitors bringing wire or crushed cans.

Its strongest practical point is the hands-on help available around the yard, with staff who can explain the process and keep material moving. Because the business is metal-only, it is best suited to visitors whose load is clearly within that scope.

City & County of Denver Recycle Dropoff#13
What stands out
  • Free recycling for Denver residents

City & County of Denver Recycle Dropoff

3.7210 reviews
7400 Cherry Creek S Dr, Denver, CO 80231, United States

The City & County of Denver Recycle Dropoff provides Denver residents with free access to single-stream recycling and compost collection. The drop-off format is simple, with staff available to guide visitors through entry, placement and unloading when needed.

Cardboard is a particular strength: visitors can bring boxes directly to the collection truck, and the site is generally easy to enter and exit. The operation is geared toward residents rather than commercial hauling, and accepted materials include important limitations such as no plastic bags or Styrofoam.

The comparison at a glance

#BusinessRatingReviewsBest for
#1All Recycling Inc 4.6423—
#2Denver Metal Recycling 4.4352Large commercial scrap loads
#3Blue Star Recyclers 4.687Household electronics clear-outs
#4Can Land Recycling 4.842—
#5Lakewood Recycling Center 4.3188Household recycling drop-offs
#6Direct Polymers 4.540—
#7A1 Organics Mountain States 4.2146—
#8Denver Scrap Metal Recycle Center 4.0726—
#9Atlas Metal & Iron Corp 4.1254Contractors with recurring scrap
#10All Recycling North, LLC 4.1218—
#11Curbside Recycling 4.417Cardboard from a move
#12Action Recycling Center - Metal Recycling ONLY 3.826Electricians with scrap wire
#13City & County of Denver Recycle Dropoff 3.7210—

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Map of recycling centers in Denver

Recycling centers serving Denver are spread across the metro area rather than concentrated in one convenient drop-off district. The most suitable location may depend on whether you are carrying household materials, a vehicle, commercial scrap, or a larger equipment load. Use the map to estimate travel time and vehicle access, then confirm unloading procedures, accepted quantities, and any appointment or pickup requirements before making the trip.

Services to compare

  • Commercial scrap loadsBusinesses and contractors can look for facilities prepared to receive larger scrap volumes and explain how loads should be sorted before arrival.
  • Household metal cleanoutsMetal recycling can help with appliances, fixtures, and other household items removed during a cleanup or renovation.
  • Vehicles and partsScrap vehicle and parts services may provide a route for unwanted cars or components, subject to title, preparation, and acceptance requirements.
  • Electronics recyclingElectronic clear-outs can include household devices and business equipment, with handling rules that vary by item and condition.
  • Data-sensitive disposalOrganizations discarding computers or storage equipment should ask how data-bearing devices are processed and what documentation is available.
  • Household drop-offsDrop-off services can suit residents bringing regularly sorted recyclables, but accepted materials and preparation instructions should be checked first.
  • Cardboard recyclingCardboard from a move or cleanout may require flattening, separation from contaminants, or delivery in a particular vehicle or load format.
  • Recurring wire and scrapElectricians and contractors with ongoing wire or metal scrap can ask about repeat loads, sorting expectations, and the most efficient intake process.

How to choose recycling centers in Denver

  1. List every material firstWrite down the exact items, including mixed metals, electronics, cardboard, appliances, wire, or vehicle parts, then ask whether each is accepted together.
  2. Measure the loadEstimate weight, volume, item dimensions, and vehicle type before calling. This helps the center explain unloading, minimums, limits, or whether a larger load needs special handling.
  3. Ask about preparationConfirm whether materials must be sorted, cleaned, flattened, drained, stripped, or separated from batteries and other restricted components.
  4. Protect business dataFor computers, drives, and office equipment, ask what happens to stored information, whether devices are destroyed or processed, and what record you receive.
  5. Confirm drop-off logisticsCheck vehicle access, unloading assistance, appointment needs, pickup coverage, and the expected intake sequence before transporting a heavy or bulky load.
  6. Plan repeat deliveriesContractors should ask whether recurring scrap can be handled on a consistent schedule and what sorting system will reduce delays on future visits.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know which Denver recycling center accepts my items?

Start with a precise inventory rather than describing everything as household recycling. Separate metal, electronics, cardboard, appliances, vehicle parts, and business equipment, then confirm each category before loading. Ask about contamination, quantity limits, preparation, and whether mixed loads are accepted at the same intake point.

Can recycling centers take large commercial scrap loads?

Some facilities are equipped for commercial scrap, while others are better suited to household drop-offs. Provide the approximate material type, weight, volume, and vehicle used for delivery. The center can then explain unloading arrangements, sorting expectations, and whether pickup or scheduled intake is more appropriate.

What should I do with old computers and electronics?

Keep electronics separate and ask specifically about computers, monitors, storage devices, cables, and business equipment. Different items may follow different handling routes. If the equipment contains sensitive information, confirm the data-disposal method and request documentation if your organization needs a record of responsible processing.

Can I recycle a vehicle or vehicle parts?

Vehicle and parts acceptance depends on the center’s equipment, paperwork requirements, and preparation rules. Ask what identification or ownership documents are needed and whether fluids, batteries, or nonmetal components must be removed. Also confirm whether the service includes pickup or requires you to deliver the vehicle.

How should I prepare cardboard from a move?

Flatten boxes, remove packing materials and obvious contamination, and keep cardboard separate from other recyclables unless the center gives different instructions. Wet or heavily soiled material may not be accepted. Before driving over, ask about the drop-off format, load size, and whether residential cardboard is handled at that location.

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