The High Country Conservation Center is hosting a virtual community forum to help residents understand pay-as-you-throw trash removal and the changes coming to curbside waste collection in unincorporated Summit County.

The 60-minute event is scheduled Thursday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m. and will be offered in English with Spanish interpretation, according to a news release from the environmental nonprofit. During the event, speakers will provide an overview of the new recycling and trash program and answer questions from residents.

In September 2024, the Summit Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance that changes how waste haulers charge for residential curbside collection in unincorporated Summit County. 

Rather than pay for the same size trash bin regardless of the amount of waste a household produces, residents choose from a small, medium or large trash bin, with recycling included at all service levels. 

The program – known as pay-as-you-throw – is meant to encourage recycling. The smaller the trash can, the lower the bill.

Unincorporated Summit County residents with curbside waste services will have their new bins by Aug. 31, 2025. The upcoming forum will help residents understand the rollout timeline and other details.

High Country Conservation and county staff will also be able to answer questions about upcoming changes to commercial properties with trash services that will soon have to offer recycling, the release states.

Breckenridge and Frisco have already implemented the pay-as-you-throw model. The program has led to those communities recycling more waste, according to the High Country Conservation Center.

Visit HighCountryConservation.org for details on how to RSVP for the virtual forum.