Check Erie Recycling Center Rules Before You Load the Car
The Town of Erie Recycling Center is at 1000 Briggs Street, Erie, CO 80516. The regular posted schedule is 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, seven days a week, holiday and weather permitting.
Accepted residential recycling drop-off is currently free for Erie residents. Visitors must check in with staff and provide proof of Erie residency before unloading.
Quick Answer for Erie Residents
Erie Recycling Center is a Town-operated resident recycling facility at 1000 Briggs Street. Current official information lists 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM every day, subject to holiday and weather closures. Residents must check in with staff and show proof of Erie residency.
The center accepts single-stream recycling, corrugated cardboard, residential yard waste, food scraps, mixed metal and gently used clothing/shoes in the appropriate collection areas. Hazardous household chemicals, many hard-to-recycle products, mattresses, tires and several bulky items need another disposal route.
“8 AM–4 PM daily” is the posted schedule, not a live gate reading
Erie describes the regular hours as holiday and weather permitting. Temporary closures can also occur for facility conditions, safety or other operational reasons. Do not leave recycling outside the bins or on the street when the center is closed.
The Town closed the facility for specific 2026 holidays, including July 4, so checking the current Town alert page is worthwhile before a holiday trip.
On this page
Erie Recycling Center Overview
This page covers the Town of Erie, Colorado recycling facility, not Erie County in Pennsylvania or Ohio. The Town facility is maintained for Erie residents and is not a public dump, transfer station or household hazardous waste facility.
The center’s core service is residential recycling and material diversion. Erie says its collected recycling is transferred to the Boulder County Recycling Center for processing.
Best use
Clean accepted recycling, corrugated cardboard, yard waste, food scraps, mixed metal and reusable clothing/shoes.
Resident-only
Visitors must show proof of Erie residency. Paying a Town of Erie water bill qualifies as Erie residency.
Not a hazardous-waste site
Paint, chemicals and other household hazardous waste should go to the appropriate Boulder County facility.
Erie Recycling Center Hours and Closure Rules
The Town’s current Recycling Center page and facility listing both show the same regular daily schedule.
| Day | Posted Hours | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Holiday and weather permitting. |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Check in before unloading. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Use Boulder County HMMF for hazardous waste instead. |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Do not leave material outside bins. |
| Friday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Regular posted center day. |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Weekend traffic may be heavier. |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Sunday access is normally listed, subject to closure conditions. |
Do not leave material when the gate is closed
Erie warns that items left outside the bins or on the street will not be recycled and can create cleanup problems that may temporarily affect facility access.
Erie Recycling Center Cost and Proof of Residency
The Town currently states that dropping off accepted materials is free of charge to Erie residents. This is more precise than simply saying “no general fee is listed.”
The facility does not accept recycling from outside Erie. Visitors must check in with staff upon entry and provide proof of Erie residency.
Accepted resident drop-off
Free for eligible Erie residents when the material is accepted by the center.
Other facilities
Hard-to-recycle, hazardous, bulky or special items may need another facility where fees, appointments or separate eligibility rules can apply.
What Can You Recycle at Erie Recycling Center?
Erie accepts single-stream recycling but still requires correct preparation. Break down cardboard, empty and rinse containers, and keep unacceptable material such as plastic bags and Styrofoam out.
| Category | Accepted Examples | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard / paperboard | Cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, paper egg cartons | Break down cardboard; remove plastic and Styrofoam. |
| Plastic | #1–7 plastic tubs and screw-top jars, except #7 PLA compostable | No lids; empty and rinse; do not flatten. |
| Cans | Metal cans | Do not crush or flatten. |
| Metal lids / caps | Loose metal jar lids and steel bottle caps | Keep separate from prohibited plastic tops. |
| Glass | Glass bottles and jars | No window glass, mirrors, drinking glasses, ceramics or Pyrex. |
| Cartons | Paper milk and juice cartons | No foil pouches; do not flatten cartons. |
| Aluminum foil | Clean balled foil 2 inches or larger and pie pans | Keep clean before drop-off. |
| Paper | Magazines, brochures, catalogs, phone books, office paper, folders, newspapers, mail, greeting cards | Keep clean and dry; shredded paper is excluded. |
| Books | Paperback books | Hard-back books are listed as not accepted. |
| Aerosol cans | Empty aerosol cans | Must be empty and have no caps. |
Single-stream does not mean “anything recyclable”
An item can be recyclable somewhere and still be unacceptable in Erie’s single-stream bins. Follow the Town’s actual list rather than relying only on the recycling symbol printed on a product.
Yard Waste at Erie Recycling Center
Erie currently accepts residential yard waste year-round. Keep the load free of trash, plastic, pet waste and other contamination.
Accepted yard waste
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Sawdust
- Flowers and plants
- Weeds
- Branches under 12 inches in diameter
Keep these out
- Soil or dirt
- Sod
- Rocks or gravel
- Wood over 12 inches in diameter
- Pet waste
- Food waste
Related guide: Yardwaste Recycling Center Guide.
Food Scrap Drop-Off Rules
The Erie center has a dedicated food-scrap stream. Food scraps should be removed from packaging, stickers, twist ties and rubber bands before disposal.
The Town currently allows small countertop compost bags of about three gallons, but lists paper products, coffee filters, food-service ware and greasy pizza boxes as unacceptable in this food-scrap stream.
Food scraps are separate from yard waste
The yard-waste list specifically says food waste does not belong in the yard-waste area. Follow the dedicated food-scrap instructions instead.
Mixed Metal Recycling
Erie maintains a separate mixed-metal stream for appropriate ferrous and non-ferrous material. Do not put scrap metal into the ordinary single-stream recycling bins.
Listed metals
- Iron
- Steel
- Cast iron
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Brass
- Lead
- Zinc
- Nickel
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
- Tungsten
Metal items with special hazards
Erie excludes various tanks, Freon-containing units, oily equipment, PCB-containing components, fuel-containing equipment, radioactive material, explosives, oil filters and asbestos from this stream.
If a metal item contains fuel, oil, pressure, refrigerant or an unknown residue, call before transporting it.
Clothing and Shoes at the Erie Recycling Center
USAgain collection bins are available on site for reusable clothing and shoes. Donations should be placed in tied bags and remain in reusable condition.
Accepted examples
- Gently used clothes
- Shoes in pairs
- Belts and purses
- Gloves and hats
- Sheets and towels
Not accepted in clothing bins
- Furniture
- Mattresses
- Rugs
- Carpet
- Household appliances
Items Erie Recycling Center Does Not Accept
The Town publishes a detailed prohibited-item list. Several common mistakes are worth checking before you load the car.
Plastic and foam mistakes
- Plastic bags
- Plastic tops
- Plastic 6-pack holders
- Plastic microwave trays
- Unlisted plastics
- Styrofoam
Paper mistakes
- Shredded paper
- Hard-back books
- Paper ream wrappers
- Waxed paper
- Waxed cardboard
- Tissues and paper towels
- Napkins
Glass and safety items
- Mirrors
- Ceramics
- Pyrex
- Light bulbs
- Plates and vases
- Drinking glasses
- Window glass
- Needles or syringes
No hazardous or bio-hazardous waste
Household chemicals, hazardous products and bio-hazardous material do not belong in Erie’s regular recycling streams. Use the proper hazardous-waste program.
Household Hazardous Waste: Use Boulder County HMMF
Erie Recycling Center does not accept hazardous household waste. Boulder County states that its Hazardous Materials Management Facility serves residents of Boulder County, Broomfield County and all of the Town of Erie.
| HMMF Detail | Current Information | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 1901 63rd St., Boulder, CO 80301 | West of the Boulder County Recycling Center. |
| Wednesday–Saturday | 8:30 AM–4:00 PM | Residential drop-off during listed open hours. |
| Sunday / Monday | Closed | Do not use Erie Recycling Center as an HHW substitute. |
| Tuesday | Closed to regular residential drop-off | Business waste accepted by appointment only. |
| Phone | 720-564-2251 | Call about unusual, leaking or uncertain chemicals. |
Transport hazardous materials carefully
Boulder County advises keeping different waste types separated, containers upright and secured, and hazardous material away from passengers, children and pets. Never mix chemicals together merely to save container space.
Related guide: Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Center Guide .
Other Recycling Options for Erie Residents
The closest facility is not always the correct facility. Boulder County and Eco-Cycle maintain alternative routes for materials Erie does not take.
Boulder County Recycling Center
Public recycling drop-off at 1901 63rd Street in Boulder is listed as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for single-stream recycling.
Eco-Cycle CHaRM
CHaRM at 6400 Arapahoe Road in Boulder accepts selected hard-to-recycle materials, including electronics, mattresses, textiles and scrap metal. Check current fees and item rules first.
Hazardous Materials Facility
HMMF is the correct route for qualifying household hazardous products rather than Erie’s normal recycling bins.
Town of Erie Clean-Up Events for Special Items
Erie also runs seasonal clean-up events for items that are not part of ordinary day-to-day recycling-center service. These event rules, dates and vendor charges are separate from the free regular resident recycling drop-off.
For example, the Town’s September 2026 Clean-Up Day included electronics, medications, tires, Freon-containing metal items, mattresses and document shredding, with costs varying by material or vendor. The Town also notes that standard acceptable metal can be taken to the Recycling Center during normal 8:00 AM–4:00 PM hours.
Before-You-Go Checklist
Confirm the center is operating
Regular hours are 8:00 AM–4:00 PM daily, but holiday and weather closures can override the schedule.
Bring proof of Erie residency
The Town requires resident verification and does not accept general outside-town recycling.
Check in with staff
Erie specifically requires visitors to check in upon entry before unloading.
Sort the load at home
Keep single-stream recycling, yard waste, food scraps, mixed metal and clothing separated.
Break down cardboard
Flatten cardboard boxes and remove plastic bags and Styrofoam before arriving.
Rinse accepted containers
Empty and rinse containers, but do not flatten cans or accepted plastic tubs and jars.
Keep hazardous waste out
Use Boulder County HMMF for qualifying household chemicals and other hazardous products.
Never leave material outside the bins
If the site is closed, full or your item is rejected, take the material away and find the correct route.
Erie Recycling Center Map and Directions
Use 1000 Briggs Street, Erie, Colorado 80516 for navigation. The map is useful for directions, while the Town of Erie page should control your final decisions about access, accepted materials and closures.
Related Recycling Guides
Yard waste
Review common leaf, grass and branch preparation rules before transporting green waste.
Household hazardous waste
Paint, solvents, pesticides and household chemicals need dedicated handling rather than normal recycling bins.
Find the right recycling route
For an item Erie does not accept, search by material type rather than assuming the nearest map pin is suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Erie Recycling Center
Where is Erie Recycling Center?
The Town of Erie Recycling Center is at 1000 Briggs Street, Erie, Colorado 80516.
What are Erie Recycling Center hours?
Regular posted hours are 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, seven days a week, holiday and weather permitting.
Is Erie Recycling Center open Sunday?
Yes. Sunday is normally listed as 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, subject to holiday, weather and temporary closures.
Does Erie Recycling Center charge a fee?
The Town currently says accepted drop-off at the Recycling Center is free to Erie residents. Other special-material facilities may charge fees.
Do I need proof of Erie residency?
Yes. Visitors must check in with staff and provide proof of Erie residency. The Town states that residents who pay their water bill to the Town of Erie qualify as residents.
Can I bring yard waste?
Yes. Accepted residential yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves, sawdust, flowers, plants, weeds and branches under 12 inches in diameter.
Can I bring food scraps?
Yes, Erie has a separate food-scrap stream. Remove packaging, stickers, twist ties and rubber bands. Do not place paper products, coffee filters, food-service ware or greasy pizza boxes in that stream.
Can I recycle plastic bags or Styrofoam at Erie Recycling Center?
No. The Town currently lists plastic bags and Styrofoam as unacceptable at the Recycling Center. Remove them from cardboard and ordinary recycling before visiting.
Where should Erie residents take household hazardous waste?
Use the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility at 1901 63rd Street in Boulder. Current residential hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Can I leave recycling outside the center if it is closed?
No. Erie says materials left outside bins or on the street will not be recycled and may create a cleanup problem that affects facility operation.
Official Sources and Verification
Recycling rules, holiday closures and special-material routes can change. Use the official Town and Boulder County pages below for final trip decisions.
- Town of Erie — Recycling Center
- Town of Erie — Recycling Center Facility Listing
- Town of Erie — Recycling & Waste Disposal
- Town of Erie — Clean-Up Events
- Boulder County — Hazardous Materials Management Facility
- Boulder County — Recycling Drop-Off Centers
Erie Recycling Center on-site contact: 303-926-2734
Boulder County HMMF: 720-564-2251