News Flash

(ASPEN, CO) - Pitkin County is launching an innovative program to encourage the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) waste materials on October 26^th, 2020.

Earlier this year, the Board of County Commissioners signed into law Ordinance No. 015-2020 that creates a framework for the County’s new C&D Debris Recovery Program. Through a collaboration between the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center (PCSWC) and the Pitkin County Community Development Department, C&D waste management requirements are now tied to the County’s building and demolition permit process. In addition, the PCSWC implemented a new pricing structure for disposal of C&D materials to incentivize recycling in March 2020.

“Keeping bulky and energy-intensive building materials out of our landfill is crucial to extending landfill life, improving resource conservation and creating a supply of low-cost recycled products in our community” says Michael Port, C&D Diversion Specialist.

To obtain a Pitkin County building or demolition permit, the project owner will now pay a deposit based on the total estimated waste that will be produced by the project. The deposit is fully refunded if a project diverts at least 25% of their construction debris from the landfill and avoids trashing recyclable materials like concrete, scrap metal and others. In addition, Pitkin County has partnered with Green Halo Systems, a California-based software company, to make their construction waste tracking platform available for free to construction project teams.

“With this innovative program, Pitkin County will be able to improve its C&D recycling rate by providing the industry with resources and support and ultimately by expanding our services at the Solid Waste Center.”  

PCSWC staff conducted outreach activities throughout 2020 to educate about the program, including job site visits, webinars and a marketing campaign on local radio and digital news outlets. The program officially launches on Monday, October 26^th.

The Pitkin County Solid Waste Center is dedicated to conserving our environment and extending the life of the landfill by reducing waste generation through public education, recycling, and reusing valuable commodities with innovative programs and providing safe and ethical disposal for all other materials.

Press Contact:

Michael Port

Pitkin County Solid Waste Center

970-319-0952

Michael.port@pitkincounty.com