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The City of Fort Collins has developed resources to remind businesses and residents that tossing cardboard in the trash is against the law in the community.

In March 2013, City Council approved an ordinance to eliminate the disposal of cardboard into community landfills. The City has aggressive waste reduction goals to recycle or compost 75 percent of the community’s discards by 2020 and move toward a goal of creating zero waste by 2030. In 2012, the community’s diversion rate totaled 58 percent.

Residents and businesses who have “single stream” recycling, meaning all recyclables are collected in one bin, should place cardboard in their existing recycling bins. Cardboard can also be taken to the City’s Recycling Drop-Off Center at 1702 Riverside Ave, directly behind Rivendell School. The Drop-Off Center is open seven days a week during daylight hours.

The City provides free “No Cardboard” stickers that can be placed on trash bins as well as recycling guideline signs in paper, laminated, or metal sign format. Residents may contact Caroline Mitchell at for any of these materials.

Residents or businesses who refer a business or apartment complex that does not have recycling to the City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Assistance Program (WRAP) may receive a $50 gift card. Businesses and apartment complexes that start new recycling programs are also eligible for rebates.

For details about what is covered under the cardboard ordinance and more recycling resources, visit fcgov.com/cardboard.