SLC Seeking Comments on Proposed Business Recycling Ordinance

Recycling stations at Moscone Convetion Center to help achieve 75% waste diversion, as mandated by city of San Francisco. Photo: IntelFreePress via Flickr.

Did you know? The waste diversion rate for Salt Lake City homes hovers around 38%. This means that roughly 38% of all waste collected through the City’s residential collection program is recycled or composted.

Now compare that to the estimated 10% diversion rate for Salt Lake City businesses.

In an effort to increase business and multi-family (i.e. apartment) recycling rates, Salt Lake City is proposing a new Business & Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance that would require property owners or managers where 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste are generated per week to:

• Subscribe to a recycling collection service from an authorized waste hauler.
• Designate area(s) for recycling containers.
• Implement a recycling program for use by occupants, employees or residents that is as convenient as trash collection.
• Distribute educational recycling information to occupants, employees or residents annually.

(If you are wondering, 4 cubic yards of waste is roughly equivalent to 8, 90-gallon residential curbside containers.)

There are exemptions, requirements for authorized haulers and requirements for special events included in the proposed ordinance.

Head over to Open City Hall to read more about the ordinance, and to weigh in with your feedback.

Also, check out the handy infographic below!