Construction Debris Removal in Denver: C&D Landfill Fees, Recycling & Pickup [2026 Guide]

Denver has some of the strictest C&D recycling rules in Colorado. Under Denver's Green Buildings Ordinance and the city's waste diversion goals:

• **Recycling mandate:** Denver requires projects that generate more than 2 cubic yards of C&D waste to divert a minimum percentage from landfills. For city-funded projects, the diversion target is 80%. For private projects over a certain size, voluntary compliance is tracked by Denver Public Works. • **Concrete and asphalt:** Must be recycled. Denver landfills charge significantly higher fees for concrete that could have been recycled. Multiple Denver-area crushing facilities accept concrete for free or low cost because recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) has strong resale value. • **Metal:** Must be recycled. Denver landfills will reject loads containing significant scrap metal. Metal has positive value — scrap yards pay you to take it. • **Clean wood:** Unpainted, untreated wood can be recycled or mulched. The Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site separates clean wood from C&D loads. • **Drywall (gypsum):** Recyclable at dedicated facilities. New drywall scrap is accepted at drywall recycling facilities for $40 to $60 per ton — cheaper than landfill disposal at $56 to $72 per ton.

Denver-area landfills charge by weight or volume for construction debris. Here are the current rates.

Located at 5500 E. 56th Avenue, this is Denver's primary C&D disposal facility. C&D waste is charged at $56 to $72 per ton depending on material mix. Loads with recyclable materials (concrete, metal, clean wood) that could have been separated are charged at the higher rate. The facility is open Monday through Saturday 7 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 8 AM to 5 PM. Commercial haulers need an account. Residential loads are accepted with ID.

Denver has several concrete crushing operations that accept clean concrete and asphalt for free or near-free because they resell the crushed product:

• **Recycled Materials Co. (Commerce City):** 5701 York St. — accepts clean concrete for free. Rebar-in-concrete accepted. No dirt, trash, or wood mixed in. • **Aggregate Industries (multiple Denver metro locations):** Accepts clean concrete at select quarry sites. Call 303-659-3361. • **Brannan Sand and Gravel (Lakewood):** Accepts clean concrete. Call 303-278-0303.

Saving concrete from the landfill saves $56 to $72 per ton in dump fees. A typical residential concrete demolition (patio, sidewalk, driveway) generates 3 to 10 tons of concrete.

Denver homeowners and contractors have several options for C&D waste removal, ranging from DIY to full-service.

Dropcurb picks up construction debris curbside in Denver starting at $79. Set materials at the curb — lumber, drywall, tile, fixtures, cabinets, old flooring — book at dropcurb.com/book, and Dropcurb handles hauling and disposal. Same-day pickup available in most Denver zip codes. Price locked online before you pay. Best for small to medium remodel debris: a bathroom demo, flooring replacement, or cabinet removal typically runs $79 to $249 depending on volume.

For larger projects — full kitchen remodels, roof replacements, whole-room demolitions — a roll-off dumpster is often the most practical option.

• **10-yard dumpster:** $350 to $500 for 5 to 7 days. Holds about 3 pickup truck loads. Good for a single-room remodel or bathroom demo. • **20-yard dumpster:** $400 to $600 for 5 to 7 days. Holds about 6 pickup truck loads. Standard for kitchen remodels and mid-size projects. • **30-yard dumpster:** $500 to $750 for 5 to 7 days. Holds about 9 pickup truck loads. For whole-house renovations or large demolitions. • **40-yard dumpster:** $600 to $900 for 5 to 7 days. For commercial projects and major demolitions.

**Denver permit note:** If the dumpster sits on a public street or alley, you need a Denver Right-of-Way permit ($50 to $100, takes 3 to 5 business days). Dumpsters on your own driveway or property do not require a permit.

**Popular dumpster rental companies in Denver:** Waste Management (1-866-909-4458), Budget Dumpster (1-866-284-6164), Bin There Dump That Denver (303-900-1499), Colorado Dumpster Services (720-500-5300).

Full-service companies send a crew to load debris from inside your property:

• **1-800-GOT-JUNK Denver:** Minimum $159. C&D loads average $300 to $600. On-site volume-based pricing. • **Junk King Denver:** Minimum $129. Eco-focused — they separate recyclables from C&D loads. Volume pricing. • **Local haulers:** Denver Craigslist and TaskRabbit have independent haulers charging $100 to $300 for truck loads of construction debris. Verify they have insurance and will use a legal disposal site.

If you have a truck or can rent one, self-hauling to the landfill or recycling facility is an option:

• **Home Depot truck rental:** $19 for 75 minutes (flatbed), $29 for 75 minutes (van). Multiple trips may be needed. • **U-Haul pickup truck:** $19.95 plus mileage ($0.79/mile). A pickup truck holds about 1 to 2 cubic yards of C&D debris. • **Total cost:** Truck rental ($20 to $40) + dump fees ($15 to $72) + 2 to 4 hours of your time = $35 to $112. Compare to Dropcurb at $79+ with no labor on your part.

Denver classifies the following as C&D waste:

**Accepted at C&D landfills and by removal services:** • Lumber, plywood, OSB, engineered wood • Drywall and plaster • Concrete, brick, block, stone • Asphalt and roofing shingles • Tile (ceramic, porcelain, natural stone) • Carpet and carpet pad • Insulation (fiberglass, foam, cellulose) • Doors, windows, and frames • Cabinets and countertops • Plumbing fixtures (sinks, tubs, toilets) • Electrical fixtures (light fixtures, outlets, panels) • Metal (pipes, ductwork, rebar, flashing)

**NOT accepted as regular C&D waste (special handling required):** • Asbestos-containing materials — must be tested and removed by a licensed abatement contractor. Denver requires notification to CDPHE before any asbestos disturbance. • Lead paint debris — if your Denver home was built before 1978, renovation debris may contain lead paint. EPA RRP Rule requires lead-safe work practices. • Treated wood (CCA pressure-treated lumber) — some landfills classify this separately due to arsenic content. • Contaminated soil — requires testing and specialized disposal.

Construction debris disposal costs add up fast. Here is how to minimize your spend:

1. **Separate materials.** Keeping concrete, metal, clean wood, and drywall separate from mixed debris lets you recycle each at lower cost (or free). Mixed loads always cost more at the landfill. 2. **Recycle concrete for free.** Denver has multiple free concrete crushing facilities. Separating concrete from your debris can save $56 to $72 per ton. 3. **Sell scrap metal.** Copper pipe, steel framing, aluminum flashing, and cast iron tubs all have scrap value. A typical kitchen remodel produces $20 to $80 in scrap metal. 4. **Donate usable fixtures.** Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts cabinets, doors, windows, lighting, and plumbing fixtures in good condition. Tax deduction plus no disposal cost. 5. **Right-size your dumpster.** Overestimating means paying for space you do not use. Underestimating means overfill charges ($50 to $100 per extra ton). Ask your dumpster company for guidance based on project type. 6. **Use Dropcurb for small loads.** A bathroom demo produces 1 to 3 cubic yards of debris. At $79+, Dropcurb is cheaper than any dumpster rental for small volumes — and you do not need a permit.