Under this requirement:#

• Businesses and multi-family units within For Collins city limits are required to subscribe to single stream recycling services.  
• A minimum of 33% of each business or apartment complex’s total waste service volume must be recycling. 
  • As one example, if a location currently has 6 cubic yards of trash service per week and no recycling, it will need to redistribute service to 4 cubic yards per week of trash service and at least 2 cubic yards per week of recycling service (2 cubic yards is 33% of the 6 cubic yard overall service volume). 
• Haulers are required to add minimum recycling services to the collection of multi-family units and businesses. 
• The additional cost of recycling can be reduced by “right-sizing” your service. Locations can reduce their level of trash service (either by downsizing their trash dumpsters or reducing pick up frequency) because recyclables that were previously in the trash, can now be placed in recycling containers. The example above shows right-sizing trash service from 6 cubic yards to 4 cubic yards per week. 

Business and Multifamily Recycling FAQ

Can’t Add Recycling Service?#

A variance may be granted to a location with special circumstances by the City of Fort Collins if: 

• The location does not generate single-stream recyclables or the single-stream recyclables are less than 33% of the waste generated from the location. 
• Recyclables are self-hauled to a recycling drop-off center by the business or multi-family complex management (rather than hiring a hauler to collect the recyclables). 
• The location utilizes separate licensed collectors for trash and recycling. 
• Space constraints on the property preventing the addition of additional dumpsters or carts on your property. 
  • This variance does not apply if an existing enclosure is too small but there is space available to relocate or expand the enclosure on the property. In this case, a new site plan may need to be developed through a minor amendment process. Contact: zoning@fcgov.com, 970 416-2148.
• The only available location to service recycling bin(s) is deemed unsafe to service. 

Apply for a variance by browsing the variance instructions and filling out the Recycling Variance Request Form.

Completed forms should be submitted to environmentalcompliance@fcgov.com.

After the form is reviewed, a notification indicating if the variance was approved or denied will be sent.  

Locations with denied variances will need to work with their trash hauler and the City to establish recycling service in accordance with the Community Recycling Ordinance or elect to sign a Recycling Service Refusal Confirmation acknowledging you are paying for services but declining on-site bins.