New neighbors in Boulder are often surprised to learn they get to choose their own trash company. The city doesn’t run pickup itself, so unless your building or HOA already has it covered, you’ll pick a hauler and sign up. Asking a couple of companies for quotes is pretty normal.
Three bins
Boulder expects most homes to have trash, recycling and compost service. When you sign up, just make sure compost pickup is part of the plan, not only a trash cart.
The compost bin got pickier
This one catches longtime residents too. Local compost processors ran into too much material that doesn’t break down well, so the city has asked people to keep a few common things out of compost and put them in the trash instead.
- Compostable cups, plates, utensils and to-go containers
- Paper towels, napkins and shredded paper
- Pizza boxes
- Coffee filters and tea bags
- Most bags
Food scraps and yard trimmings are still what the compost bin is for. The list does change from time to time, so it’s worth a peek at the city’s waste pages now and then. The changes reach local businesses too, from coffee shops to restaurants, so don’t be surprised if the bins look a little different around town.
Bears
Yes, really. Boulder asks for bear-resistant carts if trash or compost goes out the night before pickup, and the rules are stricter in parts of town west of Broadway. If you’re not sure about your street, your hauler can usually tell you and help you get the right cart.
Where the odd stuff goes
Old electronics, plastic bags, bike tires and scrap metal have their own drop-off spot at Eco-Cycle’s Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials, which locals call CHaRM. Paint, batteries and household chemicals go to Boulder County’s hazardous materials facility instead.
Hiring a cleaning service for a move-out? Mentioning the compost changes helps everything end up in the right bin.
When in doubt, the pizza box goes in the trash.