Longmont to Weigh Composting Subsidy Options October 27
The City Council will review plans to subsidize curbside composting through adjustments to trash collection fees.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Would you support paying higher monthly trash fees to lower the cost of city composting services?
On October 27, 2026, the Longmont City Council will evaluate three potential models to subsidize curbside composting by recovering costs through trash collection charges. The proposal aims to incentivize waste diversion and bridge the price gap between different trash cart sizes.
Why it matters
The city currently faces a significant cost disparity, as processing compost costs $150 per ton compared to $30 per ton for landfill disposal. These subsidies are intended to help Longmont reach its goal of diverting 75% of waste from landfills by 2030.
Residents currently pay $26.30 for 96-gallon trash carts, with rates set to rise to $28.80 in 2027. Composting currently costs $9.90 monthly, but without changes, that rate will increase to $14.90 by 2028.
The players
Longmont City Council
This is the legislative body responsible for governing the city of Longmont and managing local municipal utility policies.
The details
Council members are reviewing options to recover 20%, 40%, or 60% of composting costs using revenue from trash services. Officials are also attempting to increase the price difference between cart sizes to encourage more sustainable waste management choices among local households.
Timeline
2025: Longmont achieved a 39% landfill waste diversion rate.
October 27, 2026: City Council evaluates composting subsidy options.
Mid-November 2026: Potential first reading of the proposed ordinance.
Early December 2026: Potential second reading of the proposed ordinance.
2030: Target date to reach a 75% waste diversion rate.
Culture Shift
The city's focus on composting follows the pattern set by the Longmont CAReS rebate program in providing targeted financial relief for essential services. This move underscores a broader societal trend toward integrating sustainability goals directly into municipal utility billing structures.
Residents may see adjustments to their monthly utility bills depending on which cost recovery percentage the council selects. Households currently paying for trash and composting services can continue to utilize the Longmont CAReS rebate program to help offset their utility costs.
The takeaway
The city is balancing the need to lower composting barriers with the rising costs of waste management. Residents should review upcoming council agendas to understand how their specific trash cart subscription might change next year.
What happens next
The council may hold a first reading of the new ordinance in mid-November 2026, followed by a second reading in early December 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local sustainability efforts on the Organic Food page.
Live Poll
Would you support paying higher monthly trash fees to lower the cost of city composting services?
