Aspen City Council approved an ordinance introducing new rules to reduce construction and demolition waste from city-permitted projects. 聽This ordinance sets mandatory recycling and reuse standards for recoverable materials to curb landfill contributions and greenhouse gas emissions.
The ordinance targets construction projects disturbing over 2,000 square feet, requiring them to divert 100% of recoverable materials such as concrete, untreated lumber, and metal from the landfill. 聽To encourage compliance, projects must meet a minimum recovery standard of 50% of total debris weight and submit a refundable deposit based on estimated tonnage.
Aspen鈥檚 ordinance builds on Pitkin County鈥檚 success with a similar policy, which mandates at least 35% diversion and has achieved an average diversion rate of 66% since 2021. This policy aligns with Aspen鈥檚 ambitious climate goals, which aim for a 63% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and full neutrality by 2050.