Vail, Colorado, abandons plan to municipalize waste collection

After months of community feedback, the Vail Town Council in Colorado has opted not to pursue a municipalized waste collection system, Vail Daily reports.

At its council meeting June 3, council decided to halt the process that could have led to a single-hauler waste contract for single-family houses within the town.

The three current waste providers in Vail—Vail Valley Waste, Vail Honeywagon and Apex Waste Solutions, Parker, Colorado—had been asked to provide proposals on what a streamlined contract might look like, and proposed numbers showed the possibility for savings in excess of 75 percent for some households, the Daily reports.

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Council members had suggested a single-hauler contract would reduce truck traffic, cut down on emissions and save residents money on their monthly collection bills. But through a months-long public engagement effort that included emails, a public open house and an online campaign soliciting feedback, residents made clear that they prioritized choice of providers over a reduction in cost.

Many of those who spoke out against the idea expressed concern that a municipal contract could edge out locally owned haulers and grant a monopoly to a larger firm.

Council members are recommending not to move forward with the municipalization of waste collection in Vail, but added that there may be a potential in the future to partner with existing haulers to address concerns including reducing truck traffic in high-density areas.