Trash and Recycling Pickup Schedules in Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins, Colorado residents rely on regular trash and recycling collection to keep their homes and neighborhoods clean. This guide provides an overview of trash and recycling pickup schedules, service providers, rates, and policies in Fort Collins.

Trash and Recycling Collection in Fort Collins

Trash and recycling collection in Fort Collins is provided by private haulers rather than the city itself. Homeowners must set up accounts with one of the authorized haulers operating in the city. The three major haulers serving Fort Collins are:

• Republic Services (Gallegos Sanitation) – 970-484-5556
• Ram Waste Systems (Waste Connections) – 970-226-3396
• Waste Management – 970-482-6319

These haulers offer curbside collection of trash, recycling, compost, and bulk items. Trash collection rates are based on the size of container and frequency of pickup. Recycling collection is included at no extra charge.

Fort Collins follows a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system for trash pricing. This means residents are charged based on the amount of trash they generate, which incentivizes waste reduction and recycling.

The city sets policies and regulations for trash collection, but does not directly provide services. All single-family homes are required to have trash collection services, even if located within a homeowners association.

Trash Pickup Schedules

Trash is collected once per week on a regular schedule in Fort Collins. Collection occurs on the same day each week, as assigned by your hauler.

Standard collection days are:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday

Friday collection is rare. There is no trash pickup on weekends or holidays.

Customers should place trash carts curbside by 7 AM on collection day. Haulers follow standard routes and cannot backtrack for missed carts.

Check with your hauler if you are unsure of your designated pickup day. This schedule remains fixed and does not alternate week-to-week.

Recycling Pickup Schedule

Recycling is collected every other week on the same day as trash pickup. So if your regular trash day is Tuesday, recycling will be picked up on Tuesday of the recycling week.

Fort Collins follows an A and B week schedule for recycling:

• Week A: Trash pickup on your regular day, recycling on your regular day
• Week B: Trash pickup on your regular day, no recycling

For example:

• Week A (Trash and recycling pickup on Tuesday)
• Week B (Only trash pickup on Tuesday)
• Week A (Trash and recycling pickup on Tuesday)
• Week B (Only trash pickup on Tuesday)

Check the printed recycling calendar provided by your hauler to confirm A and B weeks. Calendars are also available on the city website.

Recycling should be placed curbside by 7 AM on scheduled pickup days, just like trash.

Bulky Item and Compost Collection

In addition to trash and recycling, haulers offer pickup of oversized bulky items (like furniture) and compost.

• Bulky item pickup must be scheduled in advance with your hauler. Extra fees apply based on the items.

• Compost collection occurs weekly on the same day as trash/recycling pickup. Place compost carts curbside each week.

Contact your hauler for details on pricing and scheduling bulky item and compost pickup.

Holiday Collection Schedules

Trash and recycling pickup is suspended on major holidays observed by the haulers. These include:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

During holiday weeks, collection will slide to the following day. For example, Monday customers will be picked up on Tuesday after a holiday.

Check with your hauler for adjusted pickup schedules around holidays. Schedules may also be posted on the city recycling department website.

Policies and Ordinances

Fort Collins has several ordinances regulating trash collection:

• All single-family residences are required to have trash pickup services through an authorized hauler.
• Trash, recycling, and compost carts cannot be placed curbside earlier than 5 PM the day before or later than 7 AM on the scheduled collection day.
• Carts must be removed from curbside by 7 PM on the collection day.
• Trash burning and illegal dumping are prohibited.

Violations can result in fines issued by the city.

Setting Up or Changing Service

To start new residential trash pickup service in Fort Collins, contact one of the authorized haulers directly to set up an account. Make sure to specify your needed:

• Service address
• Container sizes for trash, recycling, compost
• Pickup frequency
• Billing information

For existing customers, contact your hauler to request any changes to your service, including:

• Upgrade or downgrade container sizes
• Reduce pickup frequency
• Add compost collection
• Suspend or resume service

Changes typically take effect on the next scheduled pickup day after you notify the hauler.

Finding Your Collection Day

Unsure of your trash and recycling collection schedule? Here are some options for finding your scheduled pickup days in Fort Collins:

• Check the calendar provided by your hauler
• Call your hauler’s customer service line
• Ask neighbors when they put carts out
• Search your address on the hauler’s website, if available
• Look up your address on the city’s trash day lookup site

With hundreds of streets on different schedules, checking is the only way to know your correct days. Mark them on your household calendar once confirmed.

Contacting Service Providers

For additional information on trash and recycling services in Fort Collins, contact one of the major haulers:

Republic Services:
970-484-5556

Ram Waste Systems:
970-226-3396

Waste Management:
970-482-6319

You can also reach the city recycling department at 970-221-6600 or [email protected].

With regular weekly pickup on designated days, Fort Collins residents can keep their homes and community clean. Use this guide to understand local collection schedules, policies, and who to contact with questions.