Top Composting & Food Waste in Loveland, Colorado Ranked

For Loveland businesses, managing organic waste is no longer just an environmental consideration-it's a regulatory requirement with significant operational implications. The state's SB 1383 organics recycling mandate has transformed food scrap diversion from a voluntary best practice into a standard operational procedure for most commercial entities. This shift aligns with broader efforts in Northern Colorado to build a stronger circular economy by keeping valuable organic material out of landfills. While the City of Loveland's Solid Waste Division focuses on residential services, the commercial organics landscape is served by private haulers who provide tailored solutions for restaurants, grocery stores, offices, and other generators. Navigating this system requires understanding state rules, local service options, and strict contamination standards to ensure a smooth, compliant, and cost-effective organics recycling program.

Compost Queen

1505 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Compost Queen provides food waste and composting services for restaurants and residences in Fort Collins, CO, as well as Timnath, Wellington, Loveland, and Windsor. They operate small-scale, thermophilic composting facilities that transform food scraps into high-quality soil amendments using a carefully balanced aerobic process. Their service includes curbside pickup of food scraps and returning finished compost to customers in the spring and fall. Compost Queen partners with local farms to keep waste local and support sustainable agriculture. The company is involved in a food waste pilot program with the City of Fort Collins, aiming to reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

5.0

48 Reviews

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

16350 Co Rd 76, Eaton, CO 80615

A1 Organics is a family-owned business based in Greeley, CO, specializing in organic recycling and composting services. Since 1974, they have provided organic soils, composts, mulches, and organics recycling for home gardens, commercial landscapers, agriculturalists, municipalities, and institutions throughout the Front Range, including Eaton, Keenesburg, Commerce City, and Englewood. The company is known for diverting over 525,000 tons of waste annually from Colorado landfills and producing certified compost and premium mulches. A1 Organics operates multiple facilities and has been a leader in organic recycling since opening Colorado's first fully permitted recycling facility in 1996.

4.0

23 Reviews

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Understanding SB 1383: The State Mandate for Businesses

California's landmark SB 1383 law, which aims to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, has set a powerful precedent, and Colorado's own regulatory landscape is evolving with similar goals ¹. For Loveland businesses, this translates to a clear expectation: recycle your organic waste. The mandate generally requires businesses that generate a certain volume of food scraps and yard waste to arrange for organics recycling services ². This includes pre-consumer kitchen scraps, post-consumer plate waste, spoiled inventory, and associated compostable paper products.

However, the regulations include important flexibility through waiver provisions. Businesses that generate very small amounts of organic waste-often defined as less than 20 gallons per week-may qualify for a de minimis waiver ². Additionally, a physical space waiver may be available if a business lacks adequate area for the required collection containers. It's crucial for business managers to discuss their specific situation with a service provider to determine if they are fully subject to the mandate or eligible for an exemption ^{3 1}.

Accepted Materials: What Can & Cannot Go in the Compost Cart

A successful food waste diversion program hinges on knowing exactly what materials are accepted. Contamination is the single biggest challenge for commercial composting, as even small amounts of non-compostable items can ruin entire loads, leading to rejected shipments and additional costs ^{4 5}.

Accepted Food Scraps & Organics:

• All food waste: Fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, fish, dairy products, eggs, and shells.
• Baked goods: Bread, pasta, rice, and other grains.
• Coffee grounds and filters, as well as tea bags (staples removed).
• Food-soiled paper: Napkins, paper towels, uncoated paper plates, and pizza boxes (free of plastic liners).
• Yard waste: Leaves, grass clippings, small twigs, and plant trimmings (must be loose, not in plastic bags) ^{4 6}.

Strictly Prohibited Contaminants:

• Plastic bags of any kind, even those labeled "biodegradable" or "compostable," unless specifically approved by your hauler.
• Plastic packaging, utensils, wrappers, and produce stickers.
• Rubber bands, twist ties, and other small non-organic items.
• Glass, metals, and foam products.
• Pet waste or diapers ^{4 7 5}.

Clear signage and staff training are essential to maintain a clean stream. Many service providers offer kitchen countertop pails and educational materials to help staff separate correctly from the start.

Service Setup: Containers, Pickup, and Logistics

Implementing a commercial organics program involves practical logistics. Private haulers servicing Loveland, such as Compost Queen, typically manage the entire process ³. They will assess your business's volume and space to recommend appropriate container sizes, which often range from small 32-gallon carts to large 2- to 4-yard dumpsters. These specialized containers, often green in color, are usually provided by the hauler ⁸.

Pickup schedules are customized based on your generation rate and container size. A high-volume restaurant may require twice-weekly service, while a smaller café might only need a weekly pickup. The key is to balance frequency to avoid overflow and odor without paying for unnecessary service trips. Your hauler will work with you to establish an optimal schedule during the initial consultation ³.

The Critical Issue of Contamination and Compliance

Contamination control is not a suggestion; it's a strict requirement enforced by compost facilities. Haulers and processing centers inspect loads, and those containing prohibited items like plastic bags or utensils may be rejected entirely and sent to the landfill at the business's expense ^{4 7}. This defeats the environmental purpose and adds cost.

Common sources of contamination include:

• Plastic produce bags tossed into the compost bin with the food scraps inside.
• Non-compostable service ware mistakenly included by customers or staff.
• Small plastics like straw wrappers, condiment packets, and produce stickers.

Businesses must be proactive. This means sourcing truly compostable service ware if used, training all staff thoroughly, and placing clear, picture-based signage above collection bins. Resources from organizations like Recycle Colorado and Eco-Cycle provide excellent guidance on keeping your compost stream clean ^{4 7}.

Cost Considerations for Commercial Organics Recycling

Pricing for commercial food waste collection in Loveland is not standardized and varies by private service provider. Costs are typically determined by several factors:

• Container Size: The volume of the cart or dumpster you need.
• Pickup Frequency: How often the hauler empties your container.
• Location and Accessibility: The specifics of your business's service point.
• Tip Fees: The rate charged by the composting facility that processes the material.

You will generally receive a monthly invoice from your chosen hauler. While there is an added cost for this separate service stream, many businesses find it offsets potential waste hauling costs and aligns with customer and community expectations for sustainability. Some municipalities in Colorado use bag fees or other mechanisms to fund organics programs; in Loveland's commercial sector, you will contract and pay directly with your provider ^{3 2}.

Getting Started with Food Waste Composting in Loveland

Ready to implement or evaluate a food scrap recycling program? Follow these steps:

1. Conduct a Waste Audit: Spend a week observing how much organic waste your business generates. This will help you speak knowledgeably with service providers.
2. Contact Local Haulers: Reach out to providers like Compost Queen that serve the Loveland area for a consultation and quote ³. Discuss your volume, space constraints, and any questions about SB 1383 waiver eligibility.
3. Review Guidelines in Detail: Familiarize yourself and your management team with the strict contamination rules provided by your hauler and state resources ^{4 7}.
4. Plan for Internal Rollout: Order necessary indoor collection pails, design staff training sessions, and create clear signage before your first pickup. A successful launch depends on preparation.
5. Monitor and Adjust: Check your compost containers regularly for contamination, retrain staff as needed, and communicate with your hauler if your volume or schedule needs adjustment.

By taking these steps, Loveland businesses can turn a regulatory requirement into a point of pride, contributing to local soil health and a more sustainable community economy ^{9 10}.

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