Denver’s voter-approved Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance (URCO) has gone into effect, marking a significant milestone for one of the most impactful waste diversion policies in the city’s history.
URCO is the result of the Waste No More ballot initiative, which 70 percent of Denver voters approved in November 2022, and the ordinance officially took effect Sept. 1. The goal of URCO is to expand recycling and composting access across the city and to keep valuable materials out of landfills and in circulation in the local community.
Denver is taking an education-first approach to implementing and enforcing URCO’s new requirements. The city says it is focused on ensuring buildings, businesses, event organizers and project permit holders have clear information, practical support and the time needed to understand what is required and comply successfully…