Top Composting & Food Waste in Longmont, Colorado Ranked

For restaurants, caterers, and food service businesses in Longmont, managing organic waste is no longer just an environmental consideration-it's a city requirement. Longmont's Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) has ushered in a new era of mandatory organics recycling, designed to divert food scraps and compostable materials from landfills. This comprehensive guide outlines what you need to know about the city's commercial composting regulations, proper procedures, and available resources to ensure your business complies efficiently and effectively. Understanding these rules is key to avoiding contamination issues, potential fees, and contributing to Longmont's broader sustainability goals.

Common Good Compost LLC

2217 Airway Ave bay 5, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Common Good Compost LLC provides food waste and composting services for restaurants in Fort Collins, CO. They offer weekly pickups of food scraps and supply compostable bags to support sustainable waste management. Their service includes specialized composting options such as pumpkin composting.

4.6

21 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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Understanding the Mandate: Who Must Compost?

As of June 1, 2025, the fourth phase of Longmont's URO mandates that commercial food establishments participate in organics collection ^{1 2}. This includes restaurants, food trucks, caterers, and shared commercial kitchens. The ordinance is part of a broader state and local effort to reduce landfill waste, with a specific focus on organic material, which comprises a significant portion of commercial trash.

While the requirement is widespread, there are potential exemptions. Businesses may apply for an exemption if they demonstrate very low trash volumes (consistently generating less than 96 gallons of trash per week), prove economic hardship, lack adequate space for an additional collection cart, or have a high volume of food donation that minimizes scraps ^{1 2 3}. Any exemption requires a formal application to the city, so it's crucial to review your waste stream before proceeding.

Setting Up Your System: Containers and Collection

The city provides green-lid carts specifically for organics collection. Proper placement is critical for service: carts must be placed at least two feet away from trash and recycling carts at the curb or designated collection point by 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day ^{4 5}. Collection typically occurs Monday through Thursday between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., but each business will have a specific assigned schedule that should be confirmed with your service provider ^{4 6}.

Many businesses in Longmont contract directly with commercial hauling partners like Waste Management or Republic Services for their waste services, including the new organics stream. The city often works in concert with these providers to implement the URO ^{6 7}. Costs for commercial organics collection are not fixed by the city; they vary depending on your chosen hauler, the size of your organics cart, and the frequency of pickup ^{1 7}. It's essential to contact your waste service provider directly for a specific quote and to enroll in the required program.

The Critical Rules: What Goes In the Green Cart

Getting the materials right is the most important-and sometimes most challenging-part of compliance. Contamination, especially from plastics, is a major issue that can lead to entire loads being rejected by the processing facility, A1 Organics, and may result in additional fees for your business ^{4 5 8}.

Accepted Food Scraps (Must be bagged):

• All food waste, including meat, bones, dairy, seafood, and produce.
• These items must be placed inside certified compostable bags. The city requires the use of 3-gallon or smaller bags that are CMA-approved and BPI-certified ^{1 4 5}.
• Loose food scraps are not accepted; bagging is mandatory to control odors and pests.

Accepted Yard Waste (Must be loose):

• Grass clippings, leaves, small branches, and garden trimmings.
• Yard waste must be placed loose in the green cart, not in any bag ^{5 9}.

Prohibited Items - A Must-Know List: Contamination often comes from well-intentioned mistakes. The following items are NOT accepted in the green organics cart:

• Plastic bags of any kind, even if labeled "biodegradable."
• Styrofoam.
• Plastic-lined paper products, such as many to-go boxes, coffee cups, and milk cartons.
• Coffee filters, paper napkins, or paper towels (these go in trash).
• Any packaging labeled "compostable" that does not carry the BPI certification seal ^{1 5 9 10}.

Financial Assistance and Business Programs

Recognizing that starting a new waste stream has costs, the City of Longmont offers financial incentives to help businesses transition smoothly.

Zero Waste Coupons: This program provides financial assistance of up to $650 for businesses starting new recycling or composting programs. The coupons are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and can help offset initial costs for supplies or services ^{1 3 7}.

Sustainable Business Program: Businesses are encouraged to join this free membership program. It provides valuable resources, networking, and support for sustainable operations. Importantly, enrollment in the Sustainable Business Program is a prerequisite for eligibility for the Zero Waste Coupons ^{1 7}.

The overarching goal of the URO is to make organics diversion more cost-effective than sending waste to the landfill. By reducing the volume of trash, businesses may be able to downsize their trash cart or reduce pickup frequency, potentially offsetting the cost of the new organics service ⁶.

Avoiding Pitfalls and Ensuring Compliance

Success with commercial organics recycling hinges on proper staff training and consistent practices. Designate a clear, labeled collection station in your kitchen and prep areas using the required BPI-certified bags. Educate every team member on what is and is not acceptable, using the city's provided guides and posters as references ⁵.

Regularly audit your green cart before collection to check for prohibited items. Common mistakes include accidentally tossing in a plastic glove, a non-certified "compostable" utensil, or a paper coffee filter. Remember, the processor conducts strict checks, and contamination can disrupt service for everyone ⁸.

For the most current information, detailed guides, and application forms for exemptions or financial coupons, the primary resource is the City of Longmont's Waste Services website ^{1 2 6 11}. You can also contact Longmont Waste Services directly or speak with your commercial hauler's representative for service-specific questions.

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