The Denver Gazette reports that Denver’s 2022 voter-approved Waste No More initiative is back before City Council. The package tightens recycling and composting requirements across multi-family housing, food-handling businesses, large outdoor events, and certain construction and renovation projects. Enforcement was pushed to mid-2026 to refine definitions, carve out exemptions, plan enforcement, and ease pressure on small businesses. A public hearing on Council Bill 25-0628 is today, with organics diversion squarely in the crosshairs.
The Bullet Point Brief
- Voters passed Waste No More in 2022. The goal is less landfill waste and lower greenhouse gases through citywide recycling and composting rules. (By the way, if the trash rots and decomposes in a landfill or in your backyard, the same damned amount of methane is released. But don’t let the facts get in the way of a good feel-good project.)
- Enforcement was delayed to mid-2026 to adjust timelines, define terms, set exemptions, and consider small-business strain.
- Council Bill 25-0628 would require composting for multi-family buildings and food-handling businesses, plus certain events and building projects.
- Construction and demolition over 500 square feet, and remodels over 2,500 square feet, would fall under diversion requirements. (So, if you remodel your living room, you’ll have to compost your old shag carpet.)
- Monday’s agenda includes the Waste No More hearing in the evening session, alongside other city code items and routine business.
My Bottom Line
At best it is a dichotomy, at worst it is hypocrisy. The same crowd shouting “affordability” keeps inventing policies that raise costs. Mandatory composting for apartments, restaurants, festivals, and job sites is not free. It means new bins, training, contamination fines, hauling contracts, staff time, and higher overhead that gets priced into rent, meals, and tickets. Affordability just took a compost bucket to the face.
Why are citizens and businesses bailing on Denver like rats from a sinking ship? Policies like this. Government cannot save the planet and it cannot brute-force “affordable.” The best thing government can do is stay in its proper, limited lane and get the hell out of the free market. You want more recycling and composting? Great. Try incentives, innovation, and voluntary adoption instead of turning every property manager and job foreman into a compliance officer.
Mandatory composting is an impediment dressed up as virtue. Bright side for the Front Range olfactory experience: if Denver passes this, maybe it will finally replace Greeley as the metro’s favorite punchline for “interesting odors.” Small mercy for a big mess.
