2026 update, in accordance with the City's Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) recycling collection is now required for all commercial and multifamily properties in Longmont. Organics (composting) collection is now required for all commercial businesses producing food waste. Currently Longmont has 59% of our total commercial waste being diverted from the landfill. Longmont was highlighted for this success in CoPRIG's and Eco-Cycle's 2025 State of Recycling and Composting Report and was invited to speak at a press conference with Governor Polis.
The fifth and final phase of implementation of the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) will begin on January 1, 2029, requiring composting collection for landscaping companies.
The fourth phase of implementation of the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) will begin on June 1, 2025, requiring organics (composting) collection for other select business types.
The third phase of implementation of the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) will begin on January 1, 2025, requiring organics (composting) collection for food wholesalers, distributers, manufacturers, and grocery stores.
The second phase of implementation of the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) will begin on June 1, 2024, requiring recycling collection recycling services required for all commercial and multifamily properties.
The first phase of implementation of the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) began January 1, 2024, requiring recycling collection recycling services required for commercial properties over 10,000 square feet and multifamily properties with more than 75 units that are not already subscribed to recycling collection services.
On July 11, 2023, Longmont’s City Council passed the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) as an effort to support the City’s waste diversion goals.
On December 13, 2023, Longmont City Council discussed the components of a Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO). City staff is planning to return to Council with a draft Ordinance the second quarter of 2023 for further direction.
