Phase four of Longmont’s Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) is now officially in effect, which requires certain types of businesses to establish a composting program. The URO was passed in July 2023 in an effort to divert 75 percent of the city’s waste from the landfill by 2030 and 95 percent by 2050.
The third phase began in January, requiring food wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, and grocery stores to establish organics or compost collection systems. Now, restaurants, hotels, caterers, breweries, event centers, and similar types of businesses are required to comply. The city may add more business types in the future. The full list includes:
- restaurants, food trucks, food shelves and food banks
- caterers
- hotels, nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals
- public/rental commissaries or shared use commercial kitchens
- breweries and distilleries
- office buildings and colleges with dining services
- event centers, golf courses and country clubs
Businesses can request an exemption, and there are eight possible reasons the city will grant an exemption. If the business has less than 96 gallons of trash per week, that is a qualified exemption. Economic hardship, space limitations, and food donation are also qualifying reasons for a potential exemption.
The website says the city is committed to working with businesses and multifamily residences to help them come into compliance while realizing that some businesses will need more time or assistance. Businesses and multifamily properties can apply for zero waste coupons valued at $650 for implementing new recycling and/or composting programs. These coupons are available on a first come-first serve basis until funds run out. Businesses must be a member or sign up to be a free member of the Longmont Sustainable Business Program to qualify for the zero waste coupons.
The fifth and final phase of the URO requires landscaping companies to establish a composting program, but this phase won’t take effect until January 1, 2029.
