Below you will find a summary of the City Code changes that became Effective September 1, 2009.

SUMMARY OF REGULATORY CHANGES

• The new Pay-As-You-Throw pricing model requires haulers to charge rates that increase 100% at each volume level. In addition, haulers are no longer allowed to charge the BASE RATE component of the pricing formula or a Fuel Surcharge to offset Fuel Market Fluctuation. The base rate was established to allow the haulers to cover fixed operational costs then charge for actual volumes of trash, and cushion the impacts of volume-based pricing. This newly changed Pay-As-You-Throw pricing model is designed to significantly increase prices in an effort to “create economic incentive” for people to recycle more waste instead of throw it away. Unlimited recycling is included in the total monthly service fee, as in the past. Fees will be calculated as follows:

The NEW WAY prices cited above are the exact prices in the City of Fort Collins’ pricing model. As you can see, without the cushion created by the base fee, rates are significantly increased. In addition, while we believe a fuel surcharge is a more fair way of dealing with fuel market fluctuations, new rates will have to permanently reflect POTENTIAL fuel price fluctuations over the contract period (or annually), in order to comply with this Code change.

• Haulers offering a pre-paid Bag or Tag Service program must follow the designated formula outlined in these Code Changes. Haulers may still charge a base fee along with these two service types only. However, the base fee charged by the hauler cannot be more than 35% of the rate for the FIRST level of standard service. The cost of these services will only prove efficient for customers who set out less than 3 bags per month. Any Bag/Tag customer that exceeds that level will actually be paying more than if they were subscribed to the standard lowest level service (35-gallon).
  
  
• Haulers shall provide each household the option of a 65 OR 95-Gallon cart for recycling. These containers are available to customers in FC City limits at no additional fee. With the use of these containers, recycle collection will be reduced to every-other-week pickup. The largest burden of this ordinance change is the cost to purchase, assemble and deliver the carts to our customers.
  

• Waste Hauler Annual Licensing fees have increased and haulers are required to provide much more extensive information to the City to meet new reporting requirements. Annual Fees are now $100 per truck. Current city code requires haulers to report semi-annually on the amount of waste and recycling collected, identify all existing rate structures for Residential customers, and methods and equipment used for materials collection.
  
  

Back to MAIN Ordinance Change Page

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