Waste Hauling Services
The City of Boulder does not provide municipal waste hauling. If you need help with new or current waste collections and/or containers, please contact a local hauler directly.
Requirements and Resources for Property Owners and Managers
Learn about local waste hauling services and programs for multi-family complexes.
Learn how to Sort Waste
Waste Haulers
Subscribe to Service
These local waste haulers can help you sign up for recycling and compost collection service. The city does not determine or control rates nor dictate appropriate levels of service. Customers are encouraged to ask for cost estimates from multiple haulers and contact haulers directly to sign up for additional services.
If trash service is provided by your property manager or owner, let them know about Boulder’s requirements, which include subscribing to recycling and compost collection services.
Issues with Service
The city does not provide municipal waste hauling. Please follow up with your waste company directly for concerns over service.
Collection Containers
Containers for collecting all three waste streams are provided by the waste haulers, and some residents in Boulder are required to secure their waste from bears. Please discuss obtaining the correct containers for your needs and location with your contracted hauler.
Bear Resistant Carts
Multi-family Complexes
About
Boulder’s residential multi-family complexes (MFCs) are faced with unique challenges when it comes to waste diversion, disposal and waste stream contamination. MFC residents tend to move in and out more frequently than in other sectors, especially in student-populated areas.
Consequently, there is a continual need for waste sorting education and clearly posted guidelines at MFCs. Collaboration between the city, complex owners, city partners, property managers, residents and waste haulers is necessary to ensure compliant waste management.
Property owners and managers can review specific requirements here: Property Owner provisions. Full ordinance details can be found here: Universal Zero Waste Ordinance (UZWO).
Programs & Services
The city and its partners offer a variety of programs and services to assist property owners, managers and MFC residents.
- Eco-Leader Program
In partnership with the City of Boulder, Eco-Cycle provides training and support to community volunteers, some of whom reside in multi-family complexes (MFCs). These MFC Eco-Leaders educate their housing complex neighbors and friends about zero waste, and help maintain a successful waste diversion program in their communities.
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The EcoVisits Program is a city-funded collaboration with the University of Colorado’s Environmental Center that provides peer-to-peer sustainability education and resources to students living in neighborhoods surrounding campus, many in MFCs.
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Ecobuffs student leader delivering recycling and compost bins to MFCs.
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Durable Sign Installations
Waste stream contamination is common at MFCs, so accurate waste sorting signs are important and required by the UZWO. Signs are often damaged or can disappear completely from MFC waste containers and enclosures, so the city offers free metal signs and permanent installation to qualifying complexes.
Interested? Email ZeroWaste@bouldercolorado.gov or call 303-441-1931 to see if your complex qualifies.
Report Lack of Service, Bins or Signs
The Universal Zero Waste Ordinance requires property owners provide adequate composting, recycling and trash collection services to their tenants and occupants (BRC 1981 6-3-13). In addition, businesses must separate recyclables and compostables from the trash; provide properly placed containers and signs to facilitate the collection of recyclables and compostables, and train employees (BRC 1981 6-3-14).
Let the city know if a business you frequent might need help with zero waste bins, signs or education, or if a commercial or residential property may be lacking service.
The Inquire Boulder form can be used to report:
- A house, apartment building, homeowner's association or condo complex without recycling, compostables and/or trash collection service.
- A business or commercial property owner that doesn't offer recycling, compostables and/or trash collection service.
- A business with incorrect or missing signs and/or bins for customer and/or employee use.