The City of Steamboat Springs is emphasizing the importance of recycling and proper handling of trash in 2025.
The Commercial Recycling Ordinance adopted in March 2023, is working toward waste diversion goals laid out in the Climate Action Plan and the new year will "see a shift in emphasis from education to compliance and enforcement," according to a city news release.
A recycling mandate for commercial waste was established in July of this year through Ordinance 2899, stating that recycling capacity should be at least equal to 50% of trash service capacity when container size as well as number and collection frequency are considered.
Commercial waste customers qualify as any residential triplex or larger units and any non-residential customer such as hotels, offices and restaurants.
Property owners, managers and HOAs will be required to provide appropriate recycling capacity -- at least 50% of trash -- on the property or complete the Recycling Waiver Application if one of the following conditions applies to them:
* Extreme space constraints or excessive costs in addressing constraints.
* Sharing recycling space with another commercial property.
* Using alternate recycling option.
Fines will be given out starting in March 2025.
Organizers added in the release that the upcoming shift is part of a larger effort in Colorado.
"Recycling access should be as convenient as trash, so the city is also preparing for the roll-out of the Extended Producer Responsibility program plan, a statewide program that will provide recycling services to covered entities across Colorado," said Community Recycling Coordinator Alicia Archibald. "Once the state plan is approved, it will make recycling free to the residential sector -- which includes multifamily -- by 2026."
For questions on commercial recycling or how your organization can ensure it complies, contact Community Recycling Coordinator Alicia Archibald or visit steamboatsprings.net/recycling.