Eagle targets net-zero 2030 goal with composting, single-stream recycling

Starting on Aug. 28, the town of Eagle will become the first Eagle County municipality to implement town-wide composting as it rolls out its upgraded trash service with Vail Honeywagon.

In addition to curbside composting, the town will also be implementing single-stream recycling (replacing its existing dual-stream) and providing residents with bear-resistant trash receptacles.

The town approved these changes in March when it severed its existing contract with Vail Honeywagon that would have gone through 2025 in favor of the new contract.

“(The town of Eagle) is being progressive and trying to assist with getting the Eagle County landfill’s carbon and gas emissions down to hit the goal for 2030,” said Jennifer Collins, business development manager for Vail Honeywagon. “We’re very excited that they’re doing this and they’re taking the lead on it.”

Meeting climate goals

This 2030 goal refers to the greater Eagle County Climate Action Collaborative goal to divert 80% of organic materials — any plant- or animal-based material such as landscaping and food waste — by 2030. According to the 2021 Eagle County energy inventory, the county’s “waste is currently diverted at a rate of 29%.”

Support Local Journalism

Donate

Although the town of Eagle opted out of the most recent 2020 Climate Action Plan from the collaborative where these goals are set, it adopted its own climate action goal in July 2021. The town’s goal is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for its own operations by 2028 and for the greater Eagle community by 2030.  

“Expanding our waste collection services is a proactive step that aligns closely with the town of Eagle’s commitment to achieving our NetZero2030 goals,” said Eagle Town Manager Larry Pardee. “We must address all facets of our community’s carbon footprint to pursue a more sustainable future. One significant area of focus is waste management, which contributes to approximately 14% of our community’s carbon emissions.”

When organic materials are sent to landfill, they produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as it decomposes. Organic material decomposing in the landfill is “the primary source of solid waste emissions,” the 2021 Eagle County energy inventory states. The 2020 Climate Action Plan reported that “59% of all waste generated in the Eagle County Municipal Solid Waste stream is organic waste.”

Make staying informed the easiest part of your day.

Sign up for daily or weekly newsletters at VailDaily.com/newsletter

Through composting, this organic waste is diverted from landfills and can decompose naturally, which transforms it into rich soil and can fuel new growth as fertilizer. Locally, this process is done at the Vail Honeywagon facility in Wolcott.

Collins noted that the Wolcott composting facility is one of three in the state that accepts compostable service ware — plates, silverware, etc. that are marked as BPI-certified compostable.  

With the new composting, Eagle residents can compost everything from food scraps like fruits, vegetables, meat (including bones) and dairy to fiber and paper products like napkins, non-coated paper plates, coffee filters, pizza boxes and more. Collins noted that some of the biggest mistakes Vail Honeywagon sees are individuals trying to compost the produce stickers as well as dog poop bags — both of which are not compostable.

In addition to implementing town-wide composting, Eagle’s transition to single-stream recycling is expected to have a big impact on waste diversion as well.

Currently, with dual-stream recycling, Eagle residents must separate commingles — plastics, metals and glasses — from paper recycling. Plus, cardboard was not recyclable via the curbside pickup and had to be dropped off at the town’s recycling drop-off site at its Public Works office.

However, with single-stream recycling, residents will be able to combine all these items — including cardboard — into one bin. It’s a change the provider has been trying to get the town to make for the last eight years, Collins said.

Pardee noted that this “enhancement” will make “recycling more accessible and convenient,” which in turn should encourage higher recycling rates, reducing waste to the landfill and reducing the overall carbon footprint in the town.

“We’re going to lower the trash going into the Eagle County landfill,” Collins said.

Starting the new service

This service will start the week of Aug. 28, and the increased monthly rate — $41.75 a month — going into effect on Sept. 1.

All Eagle residents will receive new containers for trash, recycling and composting.

Residents’ current 96-gallon containers used for trash will be re-labeled as the single-stream recycling bin. Vail Honeywagon will remove all the current 18-gallon recycle bins from residents. The provider will also deliver a new 64-gallon bear-resistant trash container and a 32-gallon bear-resistant organic compost container.

The new bins and relabeling will occur from Tuesday, Aug. 22, to Friday, Aug. 25, for residents with Tuesday to Friday trash service on their regular service day. For residents with Monday service, the bins will be relabeled and replaced on Monday, Aug. 28. While this is not the regularly-scheduled recycling pick-up date, residents are asked to have their recycling bins out on these dates.

After that week, the scheduled pickups for trash and recycling will remain the same and compost pick-up will occur the opposite week of recycling pickup. 

Residents can opt out of the curbside composting by contacting Vail Honeywagon. However, it will not reduce the monthly fee. At this point, this hasn’t been a big issue as Collins said that only residents that are already composting or have a lack of space are opting out.

“By increasing recycling rates, promoting responsible waste disposal, and encouraging composting, these changes will significantly affect our community’s carbon footprint,” Pardee said.

So far, Vail Honeywagon and the town have hosted two informational sessions for residents to view the new bins and ask questions about the service changes. The third, and final, session will take place at Eagle Town Hall (200 Broadway) on Wednesday, Aug. 16 from 9 to 11 a.m.

For more information, visit TownofEagle.org.