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Littleton staff pushes equal‑space recycling, hauler licensing and outreach as South Metro waste‑diversion priorities
Summary
City sustainability staff presented steps from the South Metro Waste Diversion Plan including an equal‑space ordinance for new commercial construction, a coordinated hauler‑licensing program to require recycling and tonnage reporting, and an outreach campaign supported by Extended Producer Responsibility reimbursements to boost recycling and explore composting and public tours.
At the Littleton Environmental Stewardship Board meeting, sustainability staff outlined several near‑term actions from the South Metro Waste Diversion Plan.
Laura Rosenbomb described an “equal‑space” ordinance that would require new commercial buildings and significant remodels to provide the same amount of space for recycling infrastructure as for trash, ensuring future development accommodates recycling access. She explained the ordinance is intended to prepare for implementation of Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and to close gaps where back‑of‑building layouts make recycling difficult.
Staff also proposed a hauler‑licensing program (coordinated with the City of Centennial) to set minimum operating requirements for companies collecting waste in Littleton. Under the licensing approach, haulers that wish to operate in the city would need to meet standards (including offering recycling and reporting tonnage) and pay a per‑truck fee; staff said the goal is more transparency, better tonnage data to improve greenhouse‑gas estimates, and a clearer path to possible future contracting. Rosenbomb noted one state law complication: multifamily properties with seven or more units are classified as commercial and can be exempt from city contracts unless they opt in.
Rosenbomb discussed outreach and education funded in part by reimbursements from a producer responsibility organization (Circular Action Alliance) and other state programs. Proposed actions include training‑the‑trainer programs, public recycling tours to show where regional recycling streams go, and targeted campaigns to reduce contamination. She said composting access is desirable but noted contamination and infrastructure issues mean a broad curbside compost program would likely be a later phase tied to contracted hauling decisions.
Staff proposed a phased procurement and public engagement schedule, aiming for license fee schedule adoption by November and implementation for January 2027 if the process moves forward. Rosenbomb invited board members to serve on stakeholder groups and to join recycling and wastewater facility tours.
