Aspen, Colorado, passes ordinance to reduce C&D waste

City council in Aspen, Colorado, has approved an ordinance introducing new rules to reduce construction and demolition (C&D) waste from city-permitted projects. 

As reported by The Aspen Times, the ordinance sets mandatory recycling and reuse standards for recoverable materials to curb landfill contributions and greenhouse gas emissions. 

The ordinance targets construction projects over 2,000 square feet, requiring them to divert 100 percent of recoverable materials such as concrete, untreated lumber and metal. Projects must also meet a minimum recovery standard of 50 percent of total debris weight and submit a refundable deposit based on estimated tonnage. 

The new policy aligns with Aspen’s climate goals, The Aspen Times reports, which aim for a 63 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and full neutrality by 2050. C&D debris currently accounts for over half of the material buried in the Pitkin County landfill and city staff have argued that if the ordinance is not passed, contractors will still see future expenses when it becomes full, requiring longer deliveries to the nearest landfill, located west of Glenwood Springs.

To mitigate the potential impacts of longer demolition processes to sort through materials, the city plans to provide workforce training on material separation and efficient deconstruction methods. Additionally, it will waive certain fees for compliant projects and explore long-term solutions, such as off-site sorting facilities, to ease the burden on contractors.

The C&D ordinance includes penalties for noncompliance, with projects that fail to separate recoverable materials facing a municipal penalty of $495 per ton for unsorted loads, distinct from Pitkin County’s operational tipping fee of $245 per ton. These fees aim to hold violators accountable and reinforce the importance of compliance. However, leniency will be granted for materials that are challenging to recycle due to adhesives or mixed composition.

The ordinance is set to take effect in February 2025, with full implementation expected by spring 2026.