The rules go into effect Sept. 1 and apply to businesses, permitted events, apartment complexes, and construction projects. Denver7's Tyler Melito breaks down what it all means
DENVER - After years of waiting, rules for a universal recycling and composting in Denver are now set, officially being announced on Friday. Denver 7 has covered the issue over the last four years, after voters approved an ordinance in 2022 as part of the Waste No More Initiative.
The rules will affect Denver businesses, apartment complexes, permitted events and construction projects. Those who fit in one of these categories have until September 1, 2026. ▶️ Denver7's Tyler Melito breaks down what it means for you, in the video player below.
Denver adopts new universal recycling and composting rules In a press release, the city of Denver detailed the rules: Requirements for Buildings and Businesses Who must comply: Multi-family residential buildings with 8+ units Who doesn’t need to comply: What’s required: Post signage and offer waste sorting educationSubmit a Waste Diversion PlanStandards Defined in the newly adopted Rules and Regulations: The rules set clear expectations for: Requirements for Permitted Events: Who must comply: What’s required: Provide training and signage to reduce contaminationSubmit a Waste Diversion Plan prior to permit issuanceStandards Defined in the newly adopted Rules and Regulations The rules set clear expectations for: Requirements for Construction and Demolition Projects Who must comply: What’s required: Standards Defined in the newly adopted Rules and Regulations: The rules provide: This weekend, the Colorado Black Arts Festival is celebrating its 40th year.
Executive Director Jaleesa McIntosh told Denver7's Tyler Melito Saturday it takes a lot of planning to organize an event like this.
"It takes nine months to plan this event," McIntosh explained. "It takes a collaborative effort from different partners across the city. " She says she's all for the new requirements. "I was raised in you clean up and you leave it how you found it, or even better," McIntosh said.
"When we leave the park the way we found it, or even better, because we want to just remain great partners with the city and keep this festival within this park because I think it's very critical. " McIntosh adding for the event, being at City Park in Denver is a great opportunity, and they want to treat it as such.
"We want to keep that partnership because I think it's very important for this part of the city to have that, considering neighborhood changes and things like that," McIntosh outlined. As mentioned, September 1 is the compliance deadline. Brian Loma, Hazardous Materials & Waste Diversion Advocate for GreenLatinos Colorado told Melito he's a little worried about everyone getting up to speed, citing his own apartment building.
"My apartment hasn't received that notice that we're getting recycling or composting availability by September 1st. I live in Ruby Hill," Loma explained. Loma believes there should be certain requirements for tenants of apartments.
"It's my personal belief that the training needs to happen in a video that you're watching before you sign your lease, right? It's part of that process that says, 'I learned, I watched the recycling class. I know where the bin is. I understand what goes in the bin.
I understand the compost service,'" Loma said. For events, Loma says there are certain steps needed in order to be green effectively.
"For an event to effectively do diversion cost-effectively, you have to pre-plan to work with your vendors to reduce the points of contamination that you then have to pay somebody to pick out," Loma outlined. " He also shared information about programs through both GreenLatinos and other groups to help educate on best practices.
"There's programs to help them with composting infrastructure, with certifications, and there are so many companies in Denver County that have been doing it for years because they valued it," Loma said. Despite some worry, and a belief it'll take about a year, until September 2027 for these rules to be fully adopted, Loma is of the belief these measures are going to do good.
"It feels good to know that we're on the track, but we're not there yet," Loma said. You can learn more about the city of Denver's rules here. Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Tyler Melito Denver7’s Tyler Melito covers stories that have an impact in all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in reporting on stories in Douglas County. If you’d like to get in touch with Tyler, fill out the form below to send him an email.
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