Top Composting & Food Waste in Lakewood, Colorado Ranked

For restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and other food-service businesses in Lakewood, managing organic waste is no longer just a line-item expense-it's a strategic opportunity. Implementing a commercial composting program can significantly reduce landfill waste, lower disposal costs, and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability that resonates with the community. The City of Lakewood supports these efforts by providing resources and information, though businesses must contract directly with private haulers for food scrap and yard waste collection services. With several reputable providers operating in the area, finding a service that fits your operational scale and sustainability goals is a straightforward process.

Wompost

11881 E 33rd Ave D, Aurora, CO 80010

Wompost is a compost collection and delivery service based in Aurora, Colorado, serving Denver and surrounding areas. They specialize in food waste and yard waste composting for homes and businesses, offering weekly pickup and convenient drop-off options. Wompost collects biodegradable waste and returns finished compost soil to customers, helping to recycle organic materials and reduce landfill waste. The company supports carbon farming projects in Colorado and promotes sustainable composting practices within the community. Wompost is women-owned and focuses on making composting accessible and straightforward for its customers.

5.0

132 Reviews

A1 Organics

9109 Monaco St, Henderson, CO 80640

A1 Organics is a family-owned business based in Aurora, CO, specializing in organic recycling and composting services. Since 1974, they have provided commercial landscapers, municipalities, and institutions with certified compost, premium mulches, and organic soil blends. The company operates multiple facilities along the Front Range, including Eaton, Keenesburg, Commerce City, and Englewood, and diverts over 525,000 tons of waste annually from Colorado landfills. A1 Organics also collects used cooking oil and liquid food residuals, recycling 34 million gallons each year. Their certified compost products are STA Certified® and OMRI® Listed, supporting sustainable landscaping and agriculture in the region.

3.5

46 Reviews

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Available Commercial Composting Services

Lakewood's commercial organic waste diversion is facilitated by a network of private haulers. These companies provide the containers, schedules, and support necessary to integrate composting into your daily operations.

• Compost Colorado (CoCo): A prominent local service offering weekly curbside pickup of combined food scraps and yard waste for both businesses and residents. They emphasize supporting the local economy and community ^{1 2}.
• Major National Haulers: Industry leaders like WM (Waste Management), Denali, and Republic Services also provide commercial food waste collection in Lakewood, often integrating it with existing trash and recycling contracts.
• Specialized Providers: Companies like Scraps focus on composting with custom onboarding and employee training programs to ensure proper waste separation ³. Another service, GEME, offers a unique model where collected organic waste is donated to local farms ⁴.

The first step is often to check with your property manager or HOA, as they may have an existing contract or program in place ⁵. Otherwise, you will need to contact these haulers directly to discuss service options, container needs, and pricing.

How Commercial Composting Works in Lakewood

Setting up a commercial organics recycling program involves a few key steps, from selecting a hauler to training your staff.

Direct Contracts & Setup: The City of Lakewood does not manage waste contracts for private businesses ⁵. You will work directly with your chosen hauler to establish service. This includes determining the appropriate container size (typically 64-gallon carts or larger for curbside commercial pickup) and setting a weekly pickup schedule ^{6 1}. Most providers will also supply smaller kitchen pails for convenient scrap collection at prep stations.

Training & Compliance: Successful programs hinge on proper sorting. Contamination with non-compostable items can lead to rejected loads. Some haulers, like Scraps, offer valuable custom employee training sessions ³. Even if not provided, it is crucial to obtain clear guidelines from your hauler and educate your team. Consistent, clean separation keeps the program running smoothly and cost-effectively.

What You Can and Cannot Compost

Adhering to your hauler's specific guidelines is essential, but general rules for commercial food waste collection in Lakewood are consistent. Knowing what goes in the bin prevents contamination.

Accepted Materials:

• Food Scraps: Fruits, vegetables, bread, grains, pasta, coffee grounds (including filters), and tea bags.
• Yard Waste: Leaves, grass clippings, and plant trimmings (often combined with food scraps in a single stream) ^{6 1}.
• Certified Compostable Packaging: Look for the BPI or similar certification. Always verify with your hauler first, as standards vary ⁶.

Common Prohibitions:

• Animal Products: Meat, bones, fish, and dairy products are typically not accepted in curbside programs ^{6 7}.
• Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG): Cooking oils, grease, and fatty foods are major contaminants and should be collected separately for recycling ⁷.
• Non-Organics: Plastics (even if labeled "biodegradable"), Styrofoam, glass, metal, and rubber.
• Other Waste: Pet waste, soiled diapers, and treated wood ^{3 7}.

Understanding Costs and Potential Savings

The cost for commercial food waste pickup in Lakewood is not standardized and varies by provider. You can expect a monthly fee based on the volume (bin size) and frequency of service (typically weekly). While specific pricing requires a direct quote, businesses can often anticipate starting costs in a range that reflects the service level and container size ^{6 1 2}.

It's important to view this cost in context. Diverting heavy, wet organic waste from your trash stream can lead to significant savings. By reducing the volume of material going into your standard dumpster, you may be able to downsize your trash service or reduce pickup frequency, offsetting the cost of the composting program. In many cases, composting proves to be less expensive than landfilling when total waste management costs are considered ⁸. A quote from a hauler will provide a clear picture of the net impact on your operations.

Benefits Beyond Waste Disposal

Implementing a food waste diversion program offers advantages that extend far beyond the dumpster.

• Environmental Leadership: Demonstrating a tangible commitment to sustainability enhances your brand reputation and aligns with the values of many Lakewood residents and customers.
• Waste Diversion Goals: Participating helps the City of Lakewood and the state of Colorado meet broader waste reduction and landfill diversion targets.
• Creating Local Value: The food scraps and yard waste collected by services like Compost Colorado are processed locally, turning a disposal problem into nutrient-rich compost that benefits Colorado soils and closes the loop locally ^{1 2}.
• Operational Awareness: The process of setting up a composting program often leads to greater overall awareness of waste generation, potentially identifying other areas for efficiency and savings in your kitchen.

Starting a commercial composting program is a practical step toward a more sustainable and efficient business model. By partnering with a local hauler and committing to proper sorting, Lakewood's food-service businesses can transform waste into a community resource.

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