Denver Mandates Recycling and Composting for Apartments and Restaurants Amidst Low Awareness
Denver is implementing its Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance, requiring apartment buildings, restaurants, commercial buildings, and permitted events to provide recycling and composting services starting September 1. This initiative, approved by 71% of voters in 2022, aims to reduce methane emissions from landfills by decreasing organic waste. City officials and environmental advocates, however, report low awareness among affected businesses and property managers. Many business owners, including Danna Berger of Altamira Foods, Urja Paudel of Holly Market, and Rhonda Banks of The Blazing Chicken Shack II, were unaware of the impending regulations. Brian Loma, an advocate with GreenLatinos, has been conducting door-to-door outreach to inform businesses, noting a significant lack of preparedness. The ordinance also mandates construction and demolition projects to separate and recycle all recyclable materials. Approximately 10,000 buildings, including over 2,500 to 3,000 restaurants, will be subject ... 
