Boise Recycling Guidelines: The Curb It Guide for New Residents

Reviewed by Garrett Pancheri and Dustin Cagle
Team Leaders, Living In Idaho | LPT Realty | View Profile

Boise recycling guidelines follow the City of Boise Curb It program, which uses three curbside carts: a green-lid compost cart (weekly), a blue recycle cart (every other week), and a gray trash cart (weekly). Recycling must be clean, dry, and loose (never bagged), glass is handled separately (free drop-off sites or an optional glass-only curbside cart for a fee), and plastics labeled #4 to #7 go in Hefty ReNew orange bags placed inside the blue cart. Carts go out three feet apart by 6 a.m.

Setting up trash and recycling is one of the first things new Boise residents sort out, and the local system has a few quirks worth knowing. Boise's Curb It program keeps it simple once you learn the three carts and a handful of rules, like keeping recycling loose and handling glass separately. We put this quick reference together for buyers relocating to Idaho who are settling into a new home. Here is a clear guide to Boise recycling guidelines and how the whole waste system works.

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Quick Answer: What Are the Boise Recycling Guidelines?

Boise's Curb It program sorts household waste into three carts: compost (green lid), recycling (blue), and trash (gray). Recycling is collected every other week and must be clean, dry, and placed loose in the cart, not bagged. Glass is not accepted in the blue cart; it goes to free drop-off sites or an optional at-home glass cart for a fee. Plastics numbered #4 to #7, plus bags, wraps, and films, go in Hefty ReNew orange bags tied and placed inside the recycle cart. All carts should be out by 6 a.m. on collection day, spaced three feet apart.

Key Takeaways

1. Three carts: green-lid compost, blue recycling, and gray trash.
2. Recycling is every other week and must be clean, dry, and loose, never bagged.
3. Glass is separate, free drop-off sites or an optional home cart for a fee.
4. Orange bags for #4 to #7 plastics go tied inside the blue cart.
5. Carts out by 6 a.m., placed three feet apart on collection day.

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer
• Key Takeaways
• The Three Curbside Carts
• What Goes in Recycling (and What Does Not)
• Glass, Orange Bags, and Household Hazardous Waste
• Collection Schedule and Holidays
• Boise Recycling Guidelines: Quick Setup Tips
• Cart Sorting Cheat Sheet
• Collection Schedule Overview
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

The Three Curbside Carts

Boise's Curb It system gives most homes three carts, each with a clear job:

• Green-lid compost cart (weekly): yard trimmings and food scraps, including veggies, meat, bones, and grains. No plastic bags, pet waste, or liquids.
• Blue recycle cart (every other week): clean, dry paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles, jars, and jugs. Always break down cardboard and keep items loose.
• Gray trash cart (weekly): everything that is not compostable or recyclable. Keep rechargeable batteries, liquids, and e-waste out.

Compost service even includes access to finished compost for your own lawn and garden, a nice perk for new homeowners.

What Goes in Recycling (and What Does Not)

The blue cart is where people make the most mistakes, so it pays to learn the basics. Put recycling in clean, dry, and loose, never in bags, and always flatten cardboard.

• Yes: office paper, magazines, newspaper, flattened cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles, jugs, and food tubs labeled #1, #2, or #5.
• No: plastic bags or films, glass, plastic clamshell containers, batteries, and food-soiled boxes (like butter or frozen-food boxes).

A good rule: if it is dirty, greasy, or bagged, keep it out of the blue cart.

Glass, Orange Bags, and Household Hazardous Waste

Three extra streams round out the system:

• Glass: not accepted in the curbside recycle cart. Instead, use the free glass drop-off sites around the city, or add an at-home glass cart for a small monthly fee. Glass is recycled locally.
• Hefty ReNew orange bags: hard-to-recycle plastics labeled #4 to #7, plus plastic bags, wraps, films, and foam, go in special orange bags, tied tightly and placed inside your blue recycle cart. Note that Hefty has announced a nationwide phase-out of this program, so check the City of Boise site for current status before relying on it.
• Household hazardous waste (HHW): items like automotive products, batteries, paints, and electronics go to HHW collection sites, not your carts. Motor oil can go to a site or curbside in a clearly labeled container.

Collection Schedule and Holidays

Trash and compost are collected weekly, while recycling is collected every other week. You can look up your specific schedule through the city or the hauler, Republic Services. For holidays, collection is delayed by one day for the week following New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. No delay happens when a holiday falls on a weekend.

Boise Recycling Guidelines: Quick Setup Tips

When you move into a Boise-area home, a few quick steps get you set up:

• Find your schedule: confirm your collection days and recycling week online.
• Place carts correctly: out by 6 a.m., spaced about three feet apart, with lids closing.
• Learn the glass rule: set aside glass for drop-off or request a home glass cart.
• Get overflow stickers: for occasional extra trash beyond your gray cart.
• Use large-item pickup: service includes a limited number of bulky-item pickups per year.

Settling these details early is part of a smooth move, which our Idaho moving checklist covers in full.

Related reading: what it is like living in Idaho · the best places to live in Idaho

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does recycling work in Boise, Idaho?

Boise uses the Curb It program with three carts: a green-lid compost cart (weekly), a blue recycle cart (every other week), and a gray trash cart (weekly). Recycling must be clean, dry, and loose, with glass handled separately at drop-off sites.

Can you recycle glass in Boise?

Glass is not accepted in the curbside blue cart. Instead, take it to one of the city's free glass drop-off sites, or sign up for an at-home glass cart for a small monthly fee. All glass collected is recycled locally.

What are the orange bags for in Boise?

The Hefty ReNew orange bags collect hard-to-recycle plastics labeled #4 to #7, along with plastic bags, wraps, films, and foam. You tie the bag and place it inside your blue recycle cart for every-other-week pickup.

What day is recycling picked up in Boise?

Recycling is collected every other week, while trash and compost are weekly. Your specific day depends on your address, so look it up through the City of Boise Curb It program or Republic Services.

Does Boise recycling get delayed for holidays?

Yes. Collection is delayed by one day for the week following New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. There is no delay when a holiday falls on a weekend.

What can I not put in my Boise recycle cart?

Keep out glass, plastic bags and films, plastic clamshell containers, batteries, and food-soiled boxes. These either go in another stream (like glass drop-off or orange bags) or in the trash.

Conclusion

Once you learn the three carts, the glass rule, and the orange bags, Boise's recycling guidelines are easy to follow, and the Curb It program makes it simple to sort correctly. Getting it right keeps the system working and your new routine running smoothly. For more on settling into the area, Garrett Pancheri and Dustin Cagle at Living In Idaho are happy to help new residents find their footing. Program details can change, so confirm current rules with the City of Boise before setting up service.