City of Golden Residential Waste Collection Services Contract

The City currently administers a residential single hauler waste, recycling and organics collection program using unit-based pricing for approximately 4,700 residences wtihin the city. The City is authorized by Colorado Revised Statutes §30-15-401 to impose fees upon single family residential properties and multifamily residential units of less than eight (8) units for the provision of residential waste services. The requirements of the City's residential waste services program is set forth in Chapter 4.82 of the Golden Municipal Code, Residential Waste Service Collection. The City of Golden implemented its single hauler residential waste collection program in 2010 which serves about 60% of the City's residential units within the City limits, about 9 square miles. As part of the City's adopted Sustainability goals, the Golden community strives toward a 80% diversion goal for recycling and compost (organics) collections. As part of this strategy, the City utilizes a Pay-As-You-Throw volume-based pricing system which incentivizes households to divert materials by participating in the program's recycling and organics collections and rewarding households with lower pricing for smaller volumes of trash collection. The program has been well supported over the years by the Golden City Council, the Community Sustainability Advisory Board and citizens who actively engage with the program. The City desires to continue a residential waste services program to further the following goals: 1. The City has adopted a series of waste, water and energy sustainability goals to divert materials away from local landfills through several targets, including: To reduce total landfill contribution by 40% by 2030. This means: 1) Recycle 80% of recyclables by 2030. 2) Compost 80% of compostables by 2030. 3) Reduce total trash by 20% by 2030. 4) Strive for zero waste in municipal operations by 2030. 2. To provide equal access to all for curbside recycling service and increase recycling participation rates. 3. To secure cost-effective options for Golden households. The City provides residents with the ability to choose which type of service level they desire, with a financial incentive of lower monthly costs if they recycle and choose a smaller waste cart. 4. To obtain accurate volume measurements for separate waste streams to be able to measure community generation rates for trash, recyclables, and organic materials. In general, it is the intention of the City to promote additional opportunities for curbside collection services and where possible, reduce the number of drop-off style events to eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips and increase the convenience to Golden residents.