|
 Volume-Based Trash Rates
Did you know Fort Collins has a volume-based trash rates system, called “pay-as-you-throw,” that provides direct economic rewards for people who reduce the amount of waste they generate? Residents are charged for trash in the same way we get billed for the amount of electricity, gas, and other utilities that we use, therefore the less you throw away, the less you pay.
Here are some suggestions that will save some money on your trash bills. First, REDUCE your family’s waste stream by buying in bulk, shopping for durable products that will last longer, and avoiding excess packaging whenever possible.
Then look for ways to RECYCLE & REUSE even more things than what you may already be separating from your household waste – the sky’s the limit! You may know that almost all paper products (magazines, newspaper, junk mail, office paper), plus your bottles and cans, can be recycled in Fort Collins’ weekly curbside collection program, but did you know you may now add paperboard and corrugated cardboard as well? Consider trying your hand at composting yardwaste and kitchen scraps, and get familiar with places in town that take your re-usable items, such as clothing and furniture, and give them a second chance.
Now think about “RIGHTSIZING” your trash can. If your efforts to reduce the amount of waste that comes out of your household each week have been successful, you will be ready to subscribe to a lower – and less expensive - level of trash service. When your trash can is less than 100% full on trash day, it’s time to call and ask your hauler for a smaller trash container. It will save money on your trash bill!
How Does Pay-as-you-throw Work?
Trash rates in Fort Collins are based on volume -- residents are charged for each can or bag of waste they generate. It’s a system designed to motivate people to recycle more and to think about ways to generate less waste in the first place. For example, using a mulching mower eliminates the cost of disposing of grass clippings (not to mention having been demonstrated to return nutrients to your lawn).
Services for trash and recycling collection are offered by the private sector, so residents “subscribe” directly to local trash companies (or through their HOA). However, the City of Fort Collins requires all licensed haulers to provide volume-based pricing and a range of service level options to all residents who live in single-family homes or in attached housing with eight units or less. Haulers must also provide curbside recycling each week at no additional charge. These requirements are codified in the city's trash ordinance.
What are Some Other Benefits?
Pay-as-you-throw programs are good for the environment because they encourage people to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Less waste and greater recycling mean that a fewer natural resources are used, less energy is consumed, and less pollution is created from manufacturing. In addition, landfill space is used at a slower rate, reducing the need to site new facilities.
Another important feature of volume-based trash is the fairness and greater control over costs that it offers. When you’re successful at reducing your trash, you shouldn’t be expected to pay as much as the neighbor whose garbage can overflows each week with extra bags of trash. It's only fair that when you recycle and prevent waste, you'll be rewarded with a lower trash bill.
Communities that apply variable trash rates, like Fort Collins, can send an important source reduction signal to product manufacturers. When individual consumers begin to understand that their trash costs money, they are likely to adjust their purchasing habits to favor products that will result in less waste -- and, therefore, cost less when discarded. As more and more communities adopt “PAYT” programs, manufacturers are motivated to design their products to appeal to this growing consumer preference.
Fort Collins’ Ordinance
To be in compliance with the city ordinance, residential trash haulers must:
- offer weekly curbside recycling at no additional charge,
- charge variable rates for trash service (must charge at least the same amount for each additional can or bag of trash), and
- allow customers to select from a range of trash service levels (in other words, a small, medium, or large container; some even offer just a roll of pre-paid bags for accounts that generate very little trash).
Trash companies may elect to charge a small monthly service charge, in addition to the volume charges, to cover their fixed operational costs. (It costs money for a trash truck and a recycling truck to drive by your house every week, even if you don't put out trash or recycling that week.) But, both the flat monthly service charge and the volume-based rate must be shown separately on customers' bills.
Please contact the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department (970.221.6600) if you feel that your trash service is not meeting these provisions. The pay-as-you-throw system is important to the community because our environment, the local economy, and your family budget all benefit. Visit fcgov.com\recycling for complete information on recycling and reuse in Fort Collins, and for more ideas about ways to reduce your household’s waste stream.
More information can also be found at:
REDUCE
Tip 1: Reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging
Tip 2: Adopt practices that reduce waste
REUSE
Tip 3: Consider reusable products
Tip 4: Maintain and repair durable products
Tip 5: Reuse bags, containers, and other items
Tip 6: Borrow, rent, or share items used infrequently
Tip 7: Sell or donate goods instead of throwing them out
RECYCLE
Tip 8: Choose recyclable products and containers and recycle them
Tip 9: Select products made from recycled materials
Tip 10: Compost yard trimmings and some food scraps
|
