Colorado city starts curbside organics collection program

The city of Longmont, Colorado, will begin curbside organic waste collection for compost in a new voluntary program, a report by the Longmont Times Call says. The 2,800 residents who signed up for the program will start the program starting Monday, April 10.

The service allows residents to dispose of items such as compostable lawn and garden waste, soiled paper products and food scraps in green-lidded 96-gallon carts for $6.60 per month, the report says. Pick up is scheduled for every other week.

Yard waste includes grass clippings, pulled weeds, leaves, plant trimmings, wood sticks and small branches that are less than 6 inches in diameter, the report says. Meat and bones, shredded paper, paper towels and napkins, facial tissues, food leftovers and dairy products are other items considered compostable.

The goal of the curbside collection program is to reduce the amount of food waste in landfills, the report says, creating more space and reducing the amount of methane.

Non-compostable items include plastics and plastic-coated cups and dishes, aluminum or any other metal, glass or ceramics, pet waste, dirt, rocks or sod, treated or painted wood, construction and demolition debris or Styrofoam.

According to the report, residents are able to put their waste in a certified compostable bag or paper bag in order to prevent pests and odors. The city also suggested keeping food waste in the freezer or topping the waste in the cart with newspapers, soiled paper, yard waste or cardboard.

Residents are required to put their green-lidded carts out by 7 a.m. on their collection dates, at least two feet away from other trash and recycling carts.