The City of Durango is exploring ways to reduce the amount of food scraps and yard trimmings that end up in the landfill, including improving or expanded collections and composting programs.

Colorado's organics management plan and diversion study have shown that food scraps and yard trimmings (a.k.a. organic waste) make up about 25-35% of the material that communities like Durango send to the landfill each year. Durango's adopted Sustainability Plan outlines objectives for diverting waste from the landfill to more beneficial uses. The City of Durango is continually exploring opportunities for improvement in these areas while also considering other factors like feasibility and cost.

In 2025, Durango City Council passed a resolution for the City of Durango to research organic waste management ordinances, including seeking engagement and feedback from the community. Following this direction, staff applied for technical assistance support through the Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector (STEPS) program. This program, administered by Colorado Circular Communities (C3), has supported Durango's efforts with no-cost consulting resources for research and public engagement, provided by RRS and EcoCycle.