The city of Denver has received thousands of requests from residents to downsize their trash bins in the lead up to its new pay-as-you-throw system launching next month. With at least 8,200 such requests, the city’s 311 is telling Denverites who want smaller cans — the least expensive at $9 per month — to expect delivery delays, possibly into 2023.
- The city did not confirm how many of those requests had been fulfilled as of Friday, but says its new bins are being delivered on average within a week after they’re requested, spokesperson Vanessa Lacayo tells Axios Denver.
- Lacayo says the city wants residents to wait until they get compost bins before ordering the small-sized cans, as they expect customers to have a better idea of how much waste they produce by then.
Denver City Council approved the program in June, giving residents three bin options with three price points, and providing weekly recycling and composting for all.
- The changes will affect about 180,000 customers who have their trash picked up by the city.
- It’s part of a broader effort to improve Denver’s diversion rate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Yes, but: Even though residents are paying for the new services, many won’t receive composting pickup right away. The city plans to phase that in starting next summer.