STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-March 4, 2024-Steamboat Springs’ Mandatory Commercial Recycling Ordinance passed in March of 2023 and since then local waste haulers have been busy reaching out to customers.
Ordinance 2899 states “Collectors shall provide commercial trash customers with recycling service capacity that is at least equal to fifty percent (50%) of trash service capacity when container size, number and collection frequency are considered.” The ordinance also identifies intermittent compliance targets followed by reporting requirements of at least 33% by July 31, 2023, 66% by December 31, 2023, and 100% by July 2024.
WM (formerly Waste Management) sent out postcards to all non-residential customers to make them aware of the ordinance and Twin Enviro Services has been providing communications through their website and other means. Both companies reported combined average compliance of 57% at the end of January 2024 for customers that have recycling service capacity equal to 50% of their trash service.
While this milestone falls short of the compliance targets, the combined average of commercial customers having some recycling service was 68%. City staff is currently working on the ordinance’s waiver process to address some compliance issues that are currently evident.
Quarterly waste hauler data update is now available on the Spur Change Data Metrics webpage. This data reflects only those waste materials (organics, recyclables, and trash) that are collected from customers inside the city limits. The report shows a steady landfill diversion rate of 14%, which is a long way from the Climate Action Plan goals of 46% by 2030 and 85% by 2050.
While diversion seems to hold steady, overall waste generation is changing. The report shows the total waste generation decreased slightly each quarter throughout the 2023 year (see chart).
Routt County is home to many programs that provide ways to divert materials from the landfill through drop-off facilities. Diversion channels include but are not limited to:
- Donating non-expired and unopened food and beverages, and gently used items to organizations such as LiftUp of Routt County,
- Consigning gently used furniture and household accessories at Annie’s Home Consignments,
- Consigning gently used clothing at Déjà Vu Consignment Boutique,
- Recycling metals at D & D Metal Recycle,
- Recycling aggregate with Alpine Aggregates at the Steamboat Sand and Gravel Pit, and
- Taking hard-to-recycle materials such as electronics, lightbulbs, ballasts, batteries, and ink printer cartridges to Yampa Valley Recycles Depot.
Additional information can be found at steamboatsprings.net/SpurChange.
-WeServeTheCity-
Contact
Alicia Archibald, Community Recycling Coordinator, 970.871.8239 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.8220 or email