Boulder changes composting rules for businesses

BOULDER — Boulder has changed its composting rules for businesses because of what it described as a high level of contamination in the compost stream.

A1 Organics, which processes compost materials from community businesses, is more frequently rejecting loads of materials because of contamination, the city said in a press release. When rejected, those loads go to the landfill.

Main contaminants, the city said, include plastics, disposable gloves, diapers, glass and non-compostable to-go containers. 

The new rules:

• Allow businesses to remove front-of-house, customer-facing compost receptacles. (Customer-facing recycling and back-of-house composting are still required).
• Allow businesses with public restrooms to remove bathroom compost receptacles.

“We believe…