The city of Broomfield currently operates under an open market system, where every resident chooses a waste management company to pick up and dispose of their waste. This system has many downsides including having too many trucks on the city’s streets, limited access to composting and recycling, and an increased amount of GHG pollution.
In order to mediate the situation, the city of Broomfield is looking to move to a single hauler system where they would regulate and require hauler’s to provide “universal” recycling and composting services to all residential and commercial generators, and corresponding requirements for generators to participate in such programs. (According to the Zero-Waste proposal introduced in 2021)
Broomfield would be one of multiple cities across the nation who have implemented this program and are seeing the many benefits of having universal collection. Here are some reasons why Broomfield residents should consider advocating for this program with their city.
1 – Lower Traffic, Better Roads, & Reduced Emissions
Broomfield currently has up to 10 different waste disposal companies circulating its streets weekly. On average, garbage trucks not only worsen the road conditions 21 times faster than an average mid-size car, but they are large contributors to Greenhouse Gas pollution. The single hauler system would allow for route efficiency, decreasing traffic, and less trucks roaming your neighborhood streets.
2 – Better Service Levels & Equitable Service Rates
By creating market demand and standing together, there’s an opportunity to advocate for better rates, a more dedicated, agile and responsive customer service, and give access to multi-family buildings and home renters.
3 – Access to Curbside Compost Pick-up!
About 30% of what we throw away is organic materials. By diverting waste and commercially composting these materials, we can turn them into nutrient rich soil that can be used for farming, gardening and restoring natural ecosystems. Composting is one of the utmost overlooked solutions to reduce methane gas emissions from landfills and therefore an action we can take to fight climate change.
4 – Increased Waste Diversion
By giving all residents access to recycling and composting, resources are preserved and less waste goes into our landfills. This step is crucial in reaching Broomfield’s Zero Waste goal of 90% diversion by 2035. Zero Waste strategies are some of the fastest, easiest and least expensive ways for a community to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing waste, diverting materials from landfills can also create jobs, reduce impacts to habitat, preserve natural resources, and improve community health.
5 – A Safer & Healthy Neighborhood!
This simple change can have a trickle down effect to improve health conditions tied to air pollution, such as asthma, and help avoid climate disasters, such as fires and extreme weather conditions. Colorado communities are already feeling the impacts from climate change including water and air pollution, resource scarcity and biodiversity.
More info about the single hauler system and how you can get involved will be in our next newsletter! If you are already on board and are interested in speaking briefly at a future City Council meeting, please sign our form so we can connect!
Quinn Burns, a local high schooler and our Community Outreach Leader, challenged herself to live zero-waste starting this summer. Follow along her journey and pick up a few tips for yourself! Every small change matters!
New: Zero-Waste Guide
