How to Comply with the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO)

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1. Understanding the Ordinance Requirements

Recycling

All Commercial Businesses and Multifamily Properties must:

- Subscribe to recycling collection services by Ordinance date

- Have required signage displayed.

- For Commercial Business properties: Provide customers with a recycling bin to recycle materials next to existing waste bins
- For Multifamily properties: Provide renters with information on where recycling bins are located on the property.

Organics (Composting)

- Jan. 1, 2025: Organics (composting) collection required for food wholesalers, distributers, manufacturers, and grocery stores
- June 1, 2025: Organics (composting) collection required for other select business types

See additional steps and resources for each requirement below.

2. Recycling and Organics Collection Services

If you are not already subscribed to recycling and/or organics (composting) collection services, contact your local waste hauler to set up recycling collection services. Multifamily properties with fewer than 8 units are eligible to subscribe to City recycling collection services. Visit the City’s Commercial & Business Waste Services website for a list of waste haulers that service Longmont.

Note: In regards to private-sector waste services, the City does not determine or have any way to control rates, nor does the City dictate appropriate levels of service. The City encourages customers to ask for cost estimates from multiple haulers.

3. Download URO Signs

Visible bilingual signs are helpful to show your employees, customers and tenants where waste materials should be sorted. Click on the links below to download and print as many recycling, organics (compost) and landfill signs as you need. Multifamily communities are encouraged to share digital copies if recycling, organics (compost) and landfill signs with tenants through online portals.

4. Exemptions

Commercial business properties that meet any of the qualifying conditions may qualify for an exemption. For more information on qualifying conditions and to apply for an exemption visit the City’s URO Exemption website.

5. Available Financial Assistance, Waste Training, and Help

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to help comply. For more information on available financial assistance please visit the City’s URO Financial Assistance website.

Waste Training

Commercial businesses and multifamily properties are encouraged to educate employees and tenants on proper waste sorting to reduce waste contamination. The suggested person to designate for this training would be the individual and/or group that handles and/or manages the property’s waste. For more information on Waste sorting and contamination training contact the City’s Zero Waste Coordinator at sustainability@longmontcolorado.gov.

Need Additional Help?

Please contact the City’s Zero Waste Coordinator at sustainability@longmontcolorado.gov or call (303) 532-7723 for additional help with financial assistance and compliance.