Trash & Recycling

​The Environmental Services Team provides curbside trash and recycling collection services to over 33,000 homes in the City, as well as a number of other collection services for our citizens. The collection service program is operated as an enterprise fund, meaning that all costs associated with providing the various services are covered by user fees.

The Trash & Recycling Collection Schedule applies to city of Thornton trash and recycle customers only.

City of Thornton trash/recycling customers are now able to download a mobile app to their cell phone or tablet! Please look for City of Thornton Recycles in the App Store and on Google Play.

Use the Trash & Recycling Waste Wizard

Not sure how to properly dispose of something? Simply type the name of the material into the Wizard and find out!

Use the Wizard

Write it down!

It's a good idea to make a note of your container numbers.  Write them down or take a picture of them to keep in your phone!  If they wander away in a wind storm you'll know what cans belong to your home when you go to look for them!

What can I bring to the IMC?

The Infrastructure Maintenance Center (IMC) is located at 12450 Washington Street. Thornton residents only (no commercial or landscaping companies) may bring or drop-off the following on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.:

• ATTENTION - Cooking oil is no longer accepted for drop-off at the IMC.
• Motor oil, antifreeze - in sealed gallon (or smaller) containers.
• Appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, & water heaters.
• Organic material such as grass clippings, leaves, flowers, coffee grounds, food scraps.  Be prepared to open all bags on site. Only 3 gallon compostable kitchen bags will be accepted. NO dirt, sod, or rocks.
• Please call 720-977-6200 ahead of your arrival for instructions or head to the north gate entrance with access from 126th Avenue, east of Washington Street.  Once at the gate, press the Infrastructure button for access into the yard and let the operator know you are there to drop off compost.

Access to the north gate from 126th Avenue is now restricted other than on event days.

*Paint, televisions, furniture, and general trash debris may NOT be dropped off at the IMC.  Please use the Waste Wizard for help disposing of these items and more! 

Solid Waste Fee Structure 

The current fee for Thornton’s Solid Waste Collection Program is $19.25 per month, and will appear on your water bill. The $19.25 per month charge includes a weekly collection of solid waste and every other week collection of recycling materials. This service is limited to ONE black container for solid waste. There is an additional charge for each additional black container with a maximum of four containers. However, green containers filled with trash will not be emptied.

Current Rates                                                                          

• One black container - $19.25                      
• Two black containers - $24.20                     
• Three black containers - $37.30                  
• Four black containers - $50.40                     

Solid waste collection dates are address specific. If you are unsure of your trash/recycle collection day, please click the Trash & Recycling Calendar tab on the left hand side of this page.

Order an Additional Container or Lid Replacement