Telluride Recycling – Green Trash Can

Background
Telluride Municipal Code Title 7, “Refuse” sets the parameters for trash and recycling within Telluride. It directs persons producing refuse to provide for the collection and disposal of that refuse in ways compatible with local and state law. It includes authority for the Town Manager to negotiate a refuse and/or recyclable material collection and disposal contract on behalf of the Town. It has a proviso for an opt out of Town provided trash services; sets mandatory recycling charges; and exempts qualified senior citizens from costs for services.

Trash Services
The Town has, in recent history, chosen to provide residential trash collection and disposal services by contract with an independent provider (currently Waste Management). The Town acts as collection agent for fees paid by Town residents through their bi-monthly service bills. There is an opt out process available for residents who wish to enter into a private contract with either the Town’s contractor or another contractor. Commercial trash collection and disposal has, in the same time period, been provided by private contract between the producer and the provider.

Trash Services
Customers purchase a 94 gallon bear resistant polycart container for their trash from their provider. Customers are charged extra for trash placed outside of containers.

Residential trash and recycling service is provided once weekly on Thursdays (in case of weeks with a holiday; it is picked up on Fridays). Collection is provided at the alley. Polycarts and recycling container (s) should be placed at the edge of your property on Thursday morning by 8am and removed by 6pm. Please note that the snowplow may hit your polycart if it is placed in the alley.

The Town offers curbside recycling for both residential and commercial units. Recycling costs are a part of your residential trash bill. Commercial recycling costs depend upon the number and size of recycling containers requested and the contract bid price.

Original recycling products were aluminum, glass, newspaper, white paper and cardboard. In 1996, products were expanded to include plastics #1 and #2 and tin. Currently, residential recycling has been made easier for the resident since glass, plastics, tin, newspaper, white paper, magazines and slick paper can be co-mingled in one container. See below for recycling instructions.

Commercial recycling (by Waste Management) occurs on Mondays and Tuesdays. Cardboard pickup is on Wednesdays. 96 gallon polycarts are available for co-mingled or newspaper recycling for commercial establishments. A variety of yard sized cardboard containers are available for corrugated cardboard products. Please note, for cardboard to be recycled it can not be contaminated with food waste. Please contact Waste Management at 970/249-1699 for commercial contract prices for commercial recycling service. You may also choose an independent provider for commercial recycling but will also be charged a base amount by the Town.

RECYCLING INSTRUCTIONS

The Town encourages recycling. Below is information to make your recycling simple and effective.

Place glass, cans and plastic screw-top bottles together in your bin. Put copy paper, newsprint, magazines, and junk mail on top of these products.

The following recycling materials CAN BE COMBINED in one bin:

Glass – rinsed; all bottle types combined, no lids. No windows, ceramics, Pyrex or tempered glass.
Cans – rinsed; tin cans, and aluminum cans. No scrap or foil.
Plastics – All narrow mouthed, plastic bottles need lids removed (considered contaminate/trash) type 1 & 2 only. Other plastic items marked 1 or 2 that are not narrow mouthed bottles are not accepted. Examples of items not accepted: butter tubs, plastic salad containers, plastic salsa containers.

The following products are fibrous and must be placed on top of the commingled products listed above.

Paper – Combine newsprint, copy paper, magazines, newspaper inserts and junk mail; place on top of rigid recyclables in the bin. (Sorry, no fluorescent-colored copy paper can be taken, no sticky notes, window envelopes are okay).

Corrugated cardboard (ridged, unwaxed) – Break down cartons. Place between polycart and recycle bin. Cardboard needs to be no larger that 3 foot by 3 foot pieces also wax coated cardboard is unacceptable. Large quantity (more than 6) or large size requires a call (970/249-1699) to your trash service contractor for a special pick-up on Wednesday. There is no additional fee for this pick up.

Green recycling bins were distributed by Waste Management in August, 2000. Waste Management will provide up to two recycling bins for new customers. If these bins are lost, damaged or stolen, the resident is responsible for purchasing a replacement. Products must be placed in bins for pick-up. If a replacement bin is needed or if another bin is desired, call Waste Management at 970/249-1699 to request delivery to your home. Thanks for recycling. If you have any questions regarding recycling, please call Lita Bilotti at 970-728-8415 or email at lbilotti@telluride-co.gov

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LIVING WITH BEARS
Telluride is located in the middle of prime bear habitat and the number of bears venturing into town in search of food is increasing. Residents are encouraged to help bears stay wild by making human garbage unavailable to them. Please avoid leaving garbage out that could attract bears to your residence such as table scraps, fish wrappers and remains, grease, fruit rinds, egg shells, pet food or anything sweet. The following tips can help avoid bear-human contacts:

• Double-bag trash tightly to eliminate odors
• Rinse recycling bottles and cans
• Do not leave food in your vehicle
• Utilize trash compactors and garbage disposals for “wet” garbage (food scraps)
• Do not leave pet food or barbecue grills in your yard
• Hang bird feeders very high and away from decks and porches
• Purchase an animal-resistant polycart
• If possible, don’t put out “wet” garbage until the day of pick-up

The Town of Telluride encourages all citizens to take the above precautions with their trash and help save a bear’s life.

Last updated: 6/18/2009 9:40:52 AM