By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News/Blizzard Broadcasting.
Plastic baling twine is being recycled by a new nonprofit called Community Twine Recycling, Inc. Plastic baling twine is a serious threat to wildlife, especially birds that can become tangled in it. Baling twine can be taken to the Steamboat Eco Center at the Steamboat Landfill, and also the Steamboat Hard-to-Recycle Items Facility & Transfer Center at 2701 Downhill Drive. The baling twine will then be taken to a processing facility where it is converted into pellets for new plastic products.
Courtesy photos.
Press Release from City of Steamboat Springs; March 2026.
Don’t Get Twisted – Recycle Baling Twine
New Program Provides Great Way to Unwind & Not Get Into A Bind
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-March 19, 2026-Community Twine Recycling, Inc., a Colorado nonprofit organization, is making it easy for the community to recycle discarded plastic baling twine through its twine recycling program.
“This program provides a practical way for our community to come together to protect wildlife, reduce landfill waste, and keep Colorado beautiful,” said Community Recycling Coordinator Alicia Archibald. “Every pound collected makes a difference for our environment.”
Plastic baling twine poses a serious threat to wildlife. Birds can become entangled, resulting in injury or death; in some states, baling twine has been linked to the death of nearly 10% of osprey chicks annually. Despite being 100% recyclable, millions of pounds are discarded in landfills each year.
Community members are invited to collect used baling twine, remove any debris, and deliver it to one of two Twin-Apex collection sites. Outdoor storage is available at both locations. Once 30,000 pounds are collected, a semi-truck will transport the twine to a processing facility, where it will be converted into pellets for new plastic products.
Drop-offs are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Steamboat Eco Center at Steamboat Landfill, 20650 CR 205, and the Steamboat Hard-to-Recycle Items Facility & Transfer (SHIFT) Center at 2701 Downhill Drive.
Twine may contain knots or be loosely bundled. It does not need to be straightened, and knots are acceptable. In addition, please avoid submitting twine that is heavily contaminated with dirt, trash, manure, or other debris. If contamination exceeds about 10% (a helpful visual benchmark), the processor may reject an entire semi-load of twine, so it’s important to check your material first. For guidance, visit Community Twine Recycling’s website and scroll to the section titled “Is Your Twine Too Dirty?”.
Youth groups and community organizations interested in participating are encouraged to email Laura Tyler. Learn more about recycling baling twine and join the effort to keep Colorado safe for wildlife and free from plastic waste.
