[GreenYes] "equal space" ordinances

["Eric Lombardi" <eric@no.address>]

Greetings all,

 

Someone on this list asked for information on this topic a while ago, so
here is what we?ve created in the Boulder County communities.

 

Since ?Changing The Rules? is one of the four primary pieces of a ZW
Community (the other three being Investing in Infrastructure, Purchasing for
Zero and Local Producer Responsibility), then I would urge you all to look
at this Equal Space Ordinance as an opportunity for educating your City
Council about the power they have in helping to create less wasteful
communities.  Our experience has been that the City Planning staffs and the
architects for the local developers aren?t bothered by this ordinance at
all, they just appreciate knowing what their design parameters are. 

 

A fun and true story that was the reason why Eco-Cycle got into this.  In
the late 90?s I consulted (for free) with the developer of a large new mall
being built (in Broomfield) on how to enable the recycling activities.
After many hours and a few meetings, they informed me that they wouldn?t
give up even one parking space for me to locate recycling containers.  So, I
was mad and stopped advising them? but then I went to the City staff and
told them what happened and they agreed with us that ?there needs to be a
law.?   Jump ahead 6 years, a ?mall redevelopment? is happening in Boulder
(where the equal space ordinance has spread to after Broomfield), and once
again I volunteer to help them design in recycling systems.  But this time,
and only one hour into our first meeting, I ask them ?do they understand
that extra space will be required for the recycling and composting bins?,
and their answer was a shrug of the shoulders and the comment ?no problem,
it?s the law here that you get as much space as the trash cans.?   I just
smiled and said yes, I had heard that.

 

Eric

 

 

Equal space ordinances

 

Boulder: Trash and Recycling Area Construction Requirements: Ordinance 7331
(2004) 

Pertinent Language

*	Maintenance and Service:  Trash storage and recycling area shall
include adequate space for the maintenance and servicing of containers for
recyclable materials that are provided by local disposal and recycling
companies.
*	Adequate Space for Trash and Recyclables:  The amount of space
provided for the collection and storage of recyclable materials shall be at
least as large as the amount of space provided for the collection and
storage of trash materials.
*	Convenience and Accessibility:  The recycling area shall be must be
at least as accessible and convenient for tenants and collection vehicles as
the trash collection and storage area. 

 

Source: Boulder Revised Code 9-3.3-25

http://www3.ci.boulder.co.us/cao/brc/933.html

 

Broomfield Ordinance: 17-34-060 Refuse and recycling areas.

(A) All new and significantly remodeled structures where refuse is generated
by the use of the structure shall provide adequate space for the collection
and storage of refuse and recyclable materials.

 

(B) Significantly remodeled, for purposes of this section, means structures
where the value of additions or renovations is fifty percent or more of the
fair market value of the structure prior to the additions or renovations.
The value of the additions shall be as determined by the chief building
official or the chief building official's authorized representative. The
fair market value of the structure shall be the current actual value of the
structure as determined by the county assessor. A party who disagrees with
the decision of the chief building official or his or her authorized
representative may appeal the decision to the building and construction
review board.

 

(C) The following structures are exempt from the provisions of subsection
(A) above: single-family dwellings; and multi-family dwellings where there
are no central or communal refuse or recycling collection or storage
facilities or where refuse and recyclable materials are stored and collected
on an individual unit basis.

 

(D) The amount of space provided for the collection and storage of
recyclable materials must be at least as large as the amount of space
provided for the collection and storage of refuse materials, and shall be
designed to accommodate collection and storage containers consistent with
the recyclable materials generated. Exception may be granted by the city and
county manager or a designee thereof for existing buildings where this
provision will negatively impact parking stall requirements.

 

(E) Storage and collection containers shall be clearly labeled or identified
to indicate the type of materials accepted. Recyclable materials storage
areas shall be located adjacent to refuse collection and storage areas in
order to provide convenient recyclable materials drop-off and storage.

 

(F) Refuse and recycling areas shall be enclosed such that they are screened
from public view. The enclosure shall be constructed of durable materials,
such as masonry, and shall be compatible with the structure to which it is
associated. Gates on the enclosures shall be constructed of metal or some
other comparable durable material, shall be painted to match the enclosure,
and shall be properly maintained. (Ord. 1739 §2, 2003)

http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/code/

 

Lafayette: Sec. 26-19-25. Refuse, waste, and recycling collection area.

Every development shall provide one (1) or more areas for refuse, waste, and
recycling receptacles for solid waste collection, except single-family
detached development or multifamily development where there are no central
or communal refuse, waste, and recycling collection or storage facilities,
and where refuse, waste, and recyclable materials are stored and collected
on an individual unit basis. Where such refuse, waste, and recycling
receptacles are required, the receptacles shall be located to facilitate
collection and minimize negative impacts on public rights-of-way, adjacent
properties, and within the development. (Ord. No. 2005-22, § 1, 8-2-05) 

 

Superior Equal Space Code: Sec. 16-763. Trash recycling areas.

 

Recycling means the series of activities, including collection, separation,
and processing, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, by which products
or other materials are recovered from the solid waste stream for use in the
form of raw materials in the manufacture of new products. The Town's goal is
to obtain a diversion of 50% recycling from the waste stream. Equal space
will be provided for both garbage and recycling in all new buildings,
developments and significant remodels.

 

Refuse means trash, garbage and recyclable materials.

 

(a) All centralized refuse storage facilities, as provided in Article XX of
this Code, must provide recycling containers as per the policies of either
the Town or the contracted trash recycling services.

 

(b) Homeowners Associations which provide or contract for trash disposal
service must provide recycling containers as per the policies of either the
Town or the contracted trash recycling services.

 

(c) Criteria for trash recycling areas include, but are not limited to the
appropriateness of the collection system for the use of the property,
integration of the system with the site plan, minimization of noise and
odor, and convenience of access.

 

 

 

Eric Lombardi

Executive Director/CEO

Eco-Cycle Inc

Boulder, CO. USA

303-444-6634

www.ecocycle.org

 



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