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FAQ's About Trash and Recycling for Longmont Residents
The following questions and answers have been prepared to assist you in understanding the important features of the automated program.
Automated collection is a technologically advanced system of refuse and recycling collection and disposal. The system is called "automated" because a refuse or recycling truck, equipped with a mechanical/robotic arm, automatically lifts and empties special refuse and recycling containers without the driver ever leaving the cab of the truck.
WHAT TYPE OF CONTAINERS ARE USED?
The City provides each customer with two special containers: one for refuse collection (black container) and one for recycling collection (gray container with blue lid) designed for use with the automated collection systems. The light-weight containers are resilient and will not corrode, deteriorate or rust. The containers, equipped with a hinged lid, are mounted on wheels, with a handle at the top of the container for easy movement. Each container has an imprinted serial number for identification purposes.
CAN I GET A LARGER OR SMALLER CONTAINER?
Container size changes ("Open Enrollment") is now year round, but container size may only be changed once every six months or if you are a new resident who has had trash/recycling service for less than 30 days. To change your level of refuse collection service for the year, please call Public Works Operations at 303-651-8416 Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The karts are then changed out on the same day of your trash collection. There are 96-gallon and 48-gallon containers available for trash and 96-gallon containers for recycling. Please be sure to have your trash containers out from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm on your normal collection days until your kart change-out is completed.
An extra Full Container (96 gallon) costs an additional $11.41/month. An extra Volume Buster container (48 gallon) will cost and additional $8.07/month. Additional containers require a minimum six month rental.
Using the new automated system is easy! On your scheduled refuse and/or recycling collection day, you simply place your refuse and/or recyclables into the appropriate container and place your containers in the street or designated side of the alley with the arrows on the lid facing towards the street. Make sure the containers are in the street/alley and not blocking the sidewalk. Your containers must be at least 3 1/2 feet from objects on either side, including parked vehicles or fire hydrants and at least 1 1/2 feet apart from each other. Your containers must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day as routes can change at any time due to construction, weather conditions or growth.
WHAT KIND OF REFUSE MAY BE PUT IN THE CONTAINERS?
All regular household refuse, garbage and yard trimmings can be placed in the containers. Public Works and Natural Resources encourages the bagging of your refuse prior to placement in your container to assist in keeping your container clean and sanitary, as well as to help prevent litter on windy days. You are responsible for keeping your container in a clean, sanitary condition at all times. Repairs (if needed) to your container will be made by City personnel. Dried out latex or water-based paint may be placed with refuse. To dry out these items, you may put kitty litter in them to absorb the liquid and/or let them air dry in the sun prior to placing them in your trash container.
Items that CANNOT be placed in your container include:
WHAT DO I DO IF I FIND A DEAD ANIMAL?
If you find a dead cat or dog, please report it to Longmont Animal Control at 303-651-8501. They can assist in attempting to locate and notify the owner.
If you find a dead deer or other large wildlife animal, please report it to Public Works and Natural Resources at 303-651-8416.
All other small wildlife animals (such as squirrels, racoons, foxes, skunks, mice or rabbits) may be disposed of with normal trash. The easiest and safest way to do this is to put the carcass in a plastic trash bag, tie it and place it in the trash.
WHAT KIND OF RECYCLABLES MAY BE PUT IN THE CONTAINERS?
You may place newspaper, magazines, junk mail, brown paper bags, paperboard (such as tissue boxes and ceral boxes), phone books (no neon paper please), corrugated cardboard, aluminum, tin and steel cans, #1 thru #7 plastic bottles, milk and juice containers and glass jars and bottles. Do not put your recyclables in any plastic bags when you put them in the container as the bags are not accepted at curbside.
WHEN IS MY RECYCLING COLLECTION DAY?
Under the new program, recyclables will be picked up every other week. Your recycling day depends on your address. To view a map with your collection area, please download the dfgsdfmap for 2013 Recycling Schedule and Calendar of Events. Please call us at 303-651-8416 to confirm your recycling day.
WHAT HOLIDAYS ARE MY COLLECTIONS ADJUSTED FOR?
If your trash collection day falls on one of the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day every collection day for the rest of the holiday week will be collected a day later (for example, if Monday is a holiday, my Thursday collection day will move to Friday collection day).
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY REFUSE OR RECYCLING IS NOT COLLECTED?
The Solid Waste Operations staff is dedicated to collecting refuse and recyclables in the most efficient and effective way possible. Occasionally, however, refuse or recyclables are not picked up or are missed by team members. In most cases, the refuse was obstructed from the driver’s view, incorrectly placed, out on the street too late, or inappropriately filled.
If your refuse or recyclables were not picked up on your collection day, please call Public Works Solid Waste Operations at 303-651-8416. A team member will ask you a few questions and, if the City ordinance policies have been met, the team member will dispatch the driver back to your street or alley to pick up the refuse or recyclables. Public Works Solid Waste Operations appreciates your patience.
Questions that the team member asks may include:
Who Do I Call for More Information?
Public Works and Natural Resources
Solid Waste Operations
375 Airport Road
303-651-8416
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.