At-home waste reduction

Our curbside recycling and composting programs make it simple for you to keep materials out of the landfill. Recycling saves energy and resources and composting turns food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Curbside recycling

The City provides single-stream recycling through Republic Services and A1 Organics. All accepted recyclables are taken to the Boulder County Recycling Center, where they are sorted, baled, and sent to market for reuse.

Curbside Composting & Yard Waste

Next steps

• Check your guidelines: Contamination reduces the effectiveness of our programs. Know what belongs in your compost and recycling bins.
  • Recycling Guide
  • Compost Guide
• Reduce waste at the source: Use up leftovers, buy in bulk, and choose reusable items to minimize what needs to be collected in the first place.
• Spread the word: Talk with friends, family, and neighbors about the benefits of curbside composting and recycling to keep our participation going strong.

Some household items require special disposal to protect our environment, health, and public safety. Louisville offers safe, local options to ensure these materials are handled responsibly.

Prescription medication disposal

Expired or unused medications can be dropped off at the Louisville Police Department, located at 992 W Via Appia Way. Safe disposal helps:

• Keep pharmaceuticals out of our rivers, lakes, and groundwater
• Prevent accidental ingestion or misuse
• Protect our local ecosystems and public health

Scrap metal disposal

Clean, dry scrap metal can be dropped off at the RV Dump Station on Empire Road and State Highway 42. Collected metals are sent for recycling, where they are melted down and used to make new products, conserving valuable natural resources and energy.

• Check what’s accepted: Make sure your items meet program requirements before dropping them off.
• Prepare your items: Rinse and dry scrap metal, remove any non-metal attachments, etc.
• Spread awareness: Let your family, friends, and neighbors know about everything Louisville currently offers!

Not everything can or should go in your curbside bins, but that doesn’t mean it has to end up in the landfill. Drop-off, donation, and reuse programs give materials a second life, keep hazardous items out of our environment, and help support local reuse and repair efforts.

Recycle Row

Got clutter or hard-to-recycle junk? CHaRM and Boulder County Hazardous Waste Facility at 6400 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder have got you covered! Click this link to see what they accept.

EcoCycle U-Fix-It Clinics

Instead of throwing away your appliances, furniture, toys, and other items, see if you can fix it first! Find an upcoming clinic near you here.

Fresh Food Connect

Fresh Food Connect, founded close by in Denver, helps gardeners donate extra produce to local food access and hunger relief programs to reduce waste and feed our neighbors! 

Next steps

• Plan drop-offs: Gather your items and check the facility's accepted materials list beforehand.
• Schedule a pickup: Use Resource Central’s free pickup service for large, reusable home items.
• Share your harvest: Donate surplus garden produce through the local initiative Fresh Food Connect.
• Repair before replace: Attend a U-Fix-It Clinic to extend the life of your belongings.