Denver Recycling Program Expands to Include Apartment Buildings


SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The voters are likely to approve the City’s plans to expand its recycling program to include apartments. Until now, landlords were required to provide recycling services in apartment buildings, with surprisingly many of them not offering the same.

The new proposal aims to introduce mandatory recycling and composting at apartment buildings, restaurants, other businesses and construction sites. In the initial phase, the program will target apartment buildings over 75 units, which will later be expanded to cover apartments with eight or more units.

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The move is likely to provide big boost to Colorado’s poor recycling and composting rates. According to official statistics by authorities, Denver keeps only 26% of its waste out of landfill, significantly down when compared with national average of around 34%. The City’s recycling rate is much lower at 15%. In addition to boosting Denver’s recycling and waste removal rates, the program is likely to benefit thousands of low-income residents.

The City plans to start charging for waste removal service, starting 2023. The largest trash bin will cost $21 per month. However, recycling and composting bins will be offered free. In order to keep pace with extra volume, Denver plans to pick up recycling every week instead of every two weeks.