Commission hears calls to expand recycling, composting and reuse programs; front‑door hazardous‑waste pickup noted as successful

Englewood commissioners and a resident urged the city to expand recycling options, promote composting and use education and contractual levers to reduce contamination in recycling streams.

Robert Stevenson, a resident, said Colorado’s recycling rate is “abysmal” and urged the city to add recycling and compost containers in parks and public spaces and to consider incentives for businesses and large apartment buildings. Stevenson asked for greater public education and incentives to encourage recycling and composting.

Commissioners and other speakers described the household hazardous‑waste front‑door pickup program as successful. One commissioner summarized a personal experience using the service, saying staff answered quickly, the pickup was scheduled and the fee was $20.

Commissioners discussed practical steps the city could take: 1) require haulers to provide customer education and labeling as a condition of contracting or licensing; 2) install clearer, shaped recycling bins and labels in parks and public facilities to reduce contamination; 3) consider subsidized composting options (shared bins for a small neighborhood group, city matching funds or periodic bin distribution); and 4) run public education campaigns and partner with local recycling and compost companies to demonstrate proper separation (for example, avoid putting recyclables in plastic bags and keep food contamination out of cardboard).

No binding policy was adopted at the meeting; commissioners suggested forming subcommittees or inviting waste-hauler representatives to follow up.