Due to changes from A1 Organics, the City’s compost processor, the City of Longmont will be changing what items will be accepted in the curbside compost program, composting at City buildings and at City-run events.

As a result of high contamination rates in compost containers of all types, A-1 Organics has placed significant restrictions on what can be delivered as compostable to their facilities.

Beginning April 1, A-1 Organics will only accept loose yard waste (including tree/shrubbery material) and food wastes. They will no longer accept compostable products such as paper towels, compostable cups, paper products, compostable utensils or any other organic materials that are not explicitly food and yard waste. The only exception will be food waste contained in 3-gallon or smaller green compostable bags. 

In addition, because most of the compostable materials collected at City buildings and during City events are paper towels, compostable plates, cups and utensils, there will no longer be any compost collections available at City buildings or during events.

Here is a summary of items that were once accepted that will no longer be allowed in your compost cart:

• All paper products including paper towels, facial tissues and shredded paper (Place in trash cart.)
• Compostable packaging – glasses, cups, plates, utensils or any other items labeled “compostable” are no longer accepted and are NOT Recyclable. (Place in trash cart.)
• Wooden products such as stir sticks, bamboo utensils and the like are not accepted. (Place in trash cart.)
• “Compostable” coffee pods (k-cups etc.) or other cooking materials are not accepted. (Place in trash cart.)
• Cardboard materials of all types including shipping boxes and pizza boxes. (Place in recycle cart.)

Food waste, including kitchen food scraps, must be contained within a green 3-gallon bag. Food waste includes any spoiled or uneaten food, table scraps, crumbs or anything like it. It cannot include paper towels, paper plates, cups, bowls or cutlery. Yard waste must be placed loose in the compost cart and cannot be placed in bags of any type.

To stay informed on any other changes or updates please visit our website and our Waste Wizard app to check how to properly dispose of your waste materials.