When the Longmont City Council updated the city’s zero waste resolution in September, recycling — namely the lack of it locally — was a glaring problem.
During its study session Tuesday, the Council discussed a potential universal recycling ordinance that, if approved, would require businesses and multifamily properties such as large apartment complexes to subscribe to a recycling service and provide collection containers commensurate with their level of trash generation.
Ultimately, the Council supported staff’s proposed timeline of making recycling mandatory for businesses and multifamily properties by June 2024, but not enforcing the ordinance until June 2025.
“I do agree with this timeline,” Mayor Joan Peck said during Tuesday’s study session. “You can’t fine … somebody for what they don’t know.”
Lisa Knoblauch, Longmont Public Works & Natural Resources sustainability program manager, said the city wanted to provide ample time for impacted businesses and property owners to come into compliance with the recycling requirements.
“We know there will be cost and logistical considerations for people to figure out, and ultimately we want people to feel invested in helping the community meet our zero waste goals, and that comes through greater support rather than jumping straight to fining people for noncompliance,” Knoblauch said in a separate email.
Some businesses may be exempt from the recycling requirement if they generate less than 96 gallons of trash per week or if they simply do not have the space to add a recycling dumpster.
“Education within our community can be very challenging at times,” Councilwoman Shiquita Yarbrough said. “We know that when we start any program … it takes a while.”
On average, the city generates over 100,000 tons of waste annually with approximately 64% going to the landfill for disposal, according to city data. While 42% of residential waste is diverted from the landfill, only 36% of commercial and 6% of construction and demolition waste is also diverted, according to city data.
The city has maintained that residents, property owners and businesses face considerable barriers accessing waste diversion services such as recycling due to cost and space constraints.
“Our residential diversion rate is the second highest in the state, but we have yet to tackle the commercial sector, which is responsible for a large chunk of our city’s overall waste,” Naomi Curland, who serves as board chair for Sustainable Resilient Longmont, said during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s study session. “Universal recycling is a basic standard that many neighboring municipalities have adopted.”