City of Fort Collins’ new trash and recycling program begins today

Contact Information

• Emily Wenger, Lead Specialist, Environmental Services, , [email protected]

Today the City of Fort Collins began its new Contracted Residential Trash and Recycling Program to approximately 35,500 households.

"We're excited the City's Residential Trash and Recycling Collection program is underway," said Fort Collins City Manager Kelly DiMartino. "The program increases opportunities for diverting material from the landfill, provides consistent and transparent pricing and increases safety and reduces emissions by reducing the number of trash trucks on residential streets. By participating in the program, residents are helping us make strides toward our Zero Waste Goals as part of Our Climate Future."

In early 2023, Fort Collins adopted a contracted residential trash and recycling program. After a competitive process, City officials selected Republic Services as the contracted hauler for the first 5-year term. All single-unit and multi-unit residential homes-with seven or fewer units per building-within Fort Collins City limits are included in the program.

This program is designed to benefit the community by providing:

• Increased opportunities for diverting material from the landfill. The new service includes weekly recycling and seasonal (April-November) weekly yard trimmings collection.
• Increased safety and reduced noise and emissions by reducing the number of collection trucks on residential streets.
• Consistent and transparent pricing.

In preparation for the launch, Republic Services delivered more than 100,000 City-branded carts to residents. Republic Services also added 18 natural gas-powered collection trucks-powered by low-carbon renewable natural gas-specifically for collections in Fort Collins. This initiative aligns with Fort Collins' environmental goals and demonstrates Republic Services' dedication to clean energy solutions.

"We are excited to begin this full-service partnership with the City of Fort Collins," said Kimberlee Palmer, Republic Services municipal relationship manager. "Our sustainable fleet and comprehensive collection services will help the community achieve its environmental goals while providing reliable, high-quality service to residents."

For more information on service schedules and consumer tips, please visit republicservices.com/fortcollinsThis link opens in a new browser tab.

Contracted system

In a contracted system, haulers compete for the chance to provide service to all single-family, duplex and small multifamily homes-with seven or fewer units per building-within City limits. Households that want to use a different hauler can pay an opt-out fee.

Communities in Colorado and across the U.S. found this type of system reduces the number of trucks in residential neighborhoods, makes prices more consistent, and increases opportunities for recycling and composting.

Program details

The program offers five service levels. Every service level includes weekly trash service-except for XS cart service which is collected every two weeks-and weekly recycling collection (up to two 95-gallon carts per week), seasonal weekly yard trimmings collection (up to one 95-gallon cart per week, April-November), and collection of two eligible bulky items per year for no additional cost.

Monthly cost is based on the trash cart size selection:

• XS cart service (35-gallon trash cart collected every two weeks): $11.10
• S cart service (35-gallon cart): $19.10
• M cart service (65-gallon cart): $37.10
• L cart service (95-gallon cart): $55.10
• XL cart service (two 95-gallon carts): $109.10

For households that elect not to receive yard trimmings collection, the monthly service price will be reduced by $5 for all service levels except for XS cart service. Households will be billed directly by Republic Services every quarter.

For more details, information and frequently asked questions about the City's contracted trash and recycling program go to fcgov.com/contract-for-trash.

Project background

In the summer of 2022, City Council voted to conduct a competitive purchasing process for contracted residential hauling. They identified the goals of:

• Reducing emissions and the number of trucks on residential roads
• Increasing the amount of recyclables and yard trimmings collected
• Providing quality customer service and cost-effective pricing equitably across the community

City staff conducted a competitive purchasing process in the fall and winter of 2022, in which three hauling firms submitted proposals.

About Republic Services

Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Republic's industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on its vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, please visit RepublicServices.comThis link opens in a new browser tab.