{"id":30307,"date":"2026-08-28T09:40:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T13:40:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilsr.org\/?post_type=article&p=30307"},"modified":"2026-08-28T10:13:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T14:13:00","slug":"case-study-durango-colorado-partnership","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/ilsr.org\/es\/article\/composting-for-community\/case-study-durango-colorado-partnership","title":{"rendered":"No-Cost Contract Enables Partnership"},"template":"","class_list":["post-30307","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article_type-case-study","initiatives-composting-for-community","topics-community-composting","impact_areas-climate-and-environmental-justice","impact_areas-democratic-governance","authors-nora-goldstein"],"acf":{"details":{"featured_image":30326,"background_color":"tan","article_type":[712],"initiative":15,"display_event_fields":false,"display_case_study_fields":false,"start_date":null,"end_date":null,"start_time":null,"end_time":null,"time_zone":"America\/New_York","virtual_event":false,"location":"","locality":"Durango","state":"Colo.","topics":[42],"impact_areas":[16,19],"abstract":"This case study is from the Keep Compost Local report featuring a public-private partnership between the City of Durango (Colorado) and Table to Farm Compost.","authors_tax":[701]},"sidebar":{"title":"\u00cdndice"},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"This case study was originally published in Mant\u00e9n el compost local<\/a>, a report offering survey data, case studies, and policy recommendations to equip governments to collaborate with local composters and foster community prosperity. <\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/em>","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"Municipality and Interviewee:<\/strong> City of Durango, Marty Pool, Sustainability Manager\r\n\r\nCompostador comunitario:\u00a0<\/strong>Table To Farm Compost (Monique DiGiorgio, Co-Owner, Managing Member)","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Public-Private Partnership (PPP)"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Public-Private Partnership (PPP)<\/h3>\r\nIn July 2021, Table to Farm Compost<\/a> entered into a five-year public-private partnership (PPP) with the City of Durango<\/a> to offer citywide, subscription-based curbside food scraps collection for residents and businesses. Table to Farm Compost (Table to Farm), based in Durango, responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the City and was awarded the contract for the five-year term, renewed annually. The PPP does not exclude other entities from also offering food scraps collection. Subscriptions are available to residents and businesses on an opt-in basis. There is no funding attached to the partnership, and customers pay a monthly subscription directly to Table to Farm. The City of Durango helps promote Table to Farm\u2019s collection service, e.g., with signage on its trash and recycling collection service.\r\n\r\nIn 2024, the City of Durango signed a separate, paid contract with Table to Farm to collect bagged leaves \u201con demand\u201d in the fall (September 30 through December 6 for 2025). Households purchase the kraft bags, and there is no fee to participate. In 2024, about 300 households participated, and Table to Farm collected about 2,500 bags.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Municipal Motivation"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Municipal Motivation<\/h3>\r\nThe City of Durango does not have its own composting facility, but wanted to give households access to food scraps composting, which makes up about 20% of the residential solid waste stream. \u201cMaterials management is one of the key sectors of sustainability work, and we are fortunate to be in a town that has been adopting sustainability measures for a long time,\u201d says Marty Pool. \u201cThe City knew about Table to Farm Compost and its capability to offer a food scraps collection service, but in order to be able to promote its service directly, we had to enter into a contract agreement.\u201d\r\n\r\nIn 2022, Table to Farm Compost, in partnership with the City, was awarded a Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) Recycling Recovery and Economic Opportunities (RREO) Grant to conduct a Curbside Compost Market Study that recruited households to participate in the food scraps collection service for free for three months. Households were asked to complete a survey both before and after the service to help understand the reasons for either discontinuing or continuing service for a fee after that timeframe.\r\n\r\nData was collected about perceptions and experiences in composting. \u201cIn short, price and service timeframe were two big factors in households opting to discontinue service,\u201d says Monique DiGiorgio. \u201cAs a result, Table to Farm Compost started offering every other week service for a reduced price. That was implemented in April 2024, and over 75% of new customers have been choosing this subscription type.\u201d The company used Stop Suite software to transition its collection service to the two subscription types. Customers who sign up for either service are automatically placed on the route, and then the platform sends email and text message reminders, making every other week service especially\r\nconvenient, she adds.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_30328\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"415\"]\"\" Table to Farm truck. Credit: Table to Farm Compost[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAfter significant community support to expand food scraps collection as a citywide service, the Durango City Council unanimously passed Resolution 2025-004<\/a> on January 7, 2025, \u201cdirecting the City Manager to research organic waste management ordinances in other communities, conduct pilot organic waste management programs as case studies for Durango, and subsequently form an organic waste management citizen focus group.\u201d Actions being considered in response to the resolution by the sustainability staff at the City include food scraps drop-off locations; service rebates for low-income households; support for commercial composting through the Visit Durango sustainable tourism funding; and a pilot \u201cpay-as-you-throw\u201d program.\r\n\r\n\u201cOur contract with Table To Farm Compost, as it stands right now, is an opt-in model,\u201d explains Pool. \u201cMany of our environmentally-focused community members want to see expanded composting services. We are in the phase where about 15% to 20% of households are opting in and anticipate that over the next couple of years, the amount of people opting in voluntarily will probably plateau. In order to grow participation further, we\u2019ll need to explore a different approach. This could be requiring mandatory service for some customer types, an organic waste ban, incentive or subsidy models \u2014 there are really a wide range of options. The directive from City Council is to research what ordinance options are out there in other municipalities, and this will help us determine the best fit for Durango if we make the shift. We\u2019ve applied for and are receiving technical assistance for the focus group through the State of Colorado [Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector] STEPS program<\/a>. Our research will focus on strong community engagement and feedback.\u201d","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_pullquote_feature","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_pullquote_feature":{"quote":"The directive from City Council is to research what ordinance options are out there in other municipalities, and this will help us determine the best fit for Durango \u2026 Either way, our research will focus on strong community engagement and feedback.","image":"","attribution":"Marty Pool, Sustainability Manager, City of Durango"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"One of the actions \u2014 creating a compost service discount for income-qualified residents \u2014 was implemented in June 2025. Residents who complete an application and are approved for either the Food Tax Rebate or Utility Refund (or both) will be automatically approved for discounted curbside compost collection<\/a> from Table to Farm Compost. These programs were already in existence, and tying in discounted compost service was a straightforward process. Once approved, interested residents can sign up for service directly with Table to Farm and enter a special discount code. The program covers 90% of the cost of curbside compost collection service for qualifying residents, applied directly to the monthly Table to Farm subscription.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image":{"image":30329,"caption":"","helper_width":"narrow"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Composting Activity"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Composting Activity<\/h3>\r\nTable To Farm\u2019s windrow composting site is on four acres at a farm outside of Durango in La Plata County. The company has secured several significant grants, including two additional grants from the CDPHE RREO program (about $290,000 in total) and one from the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (about $2.2 million with about $1.5 million in matching funds). Much of the grant funds have been used to scale the operation, including applying for and obtaining a Class III CDPHE permit, running electric power to the site for remote temperature monitoring (and to provide back-up power required for our solar panel array), and purchasing a rear-loading collection vehicle and a bagger. The Class III permit allows 18,000 cubic yards of in-process composting material at one time and covers the range of feedstocks accepted, including food scraps, yard trimmings, and woody debris.\r\n\r\nTable to Farm has approximately 800 residential customers; subscriptions are $28 per month for weekly collection and $18 per month for every other week collection. Fruits, vegetables, wood chips, sawdust, eggshells, nuts, coffee grounds, teabags, unbleached coffee filters, and compostable paper-based dishware are accepted, along with a limited quantity of meat and dairy products. Residential subscribers receive two 7.5-gallon bags of compost a year. The USDA fertilizer grant is enabling Table to Farm to increase sales of compost to farms in the region (it had expanded from 10 to 20 farms by the end of 2024). It also sells finished products at Durango Nursery and supplies other nurseries around the region with bulk and bagged compost. Other buyers include the Colorado Department of Transportation and landscaping companies.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Outreach & Education"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Outreach & Education<\/h3>\r\nIn addition to putting signage on its trash and recycling vehicles, the City sends out about 5,000 mailers per year and includes information in its utility bills and on a dedicated webpage about the program. Promotion is also done at the Durango Farmers Market.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Costs & Benefits: City of Durango"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Costs & Benefits: City of Durango<\/h3>\r\nOther than paying Table to Farm Compost for bagged leaf collection and outreach and education materials, the City does not incur any costs to provide households and businesses access to food scraps collection. A primary benefit is creating a behavior of source separation of food scraps, and notes Pool, \u201cthe community and environmental benefits are pretty clear, for example, greenhouse gas emissions avoidance. If a community cares about recycling and investing in recycling, it should be caring about and investing in organic waste management at least on par, if not more.\u201d The outcome of the ordinance research and focus group engagement will help to outline the City of Durango\u2019s investment in organics diversion in future years.\r\n\r\nA potential incentive for the City to invest in food scraps collection is that the Bondad Landfill it uses for disposal (11 miles outside of Durango) may be nearing the end of its life. Bondad is privately operated, and so remaining lifespan information is not readily available, but Pool says he\u2019s heard figures in the 7 to 25 year range, depending on permitting for expansion and the rate of waste disposal in the region. In Table to Farm\u2019s talking points<\/a> presented to the City Council before its January 2025 vote on the resolution, DiGiorgio suggested how the City could recoup costs for offering citywide organics recycling services: \u201cWith the Bondad Landfill nearing its capacity, the financial case to increase composting is compelling. Landfills cost about $1.5 million per cell to expand, while doubling the number of households currently composting in the city limits using a 50\/50 cost-share, or $9 per month, would cost approximately $173,000. Achieving citywide composting would cost approximately $500,000. . . . Composting is low-hanging fruit to achieve significant climate change goals locally.\u201d","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_pullquote_feature","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_pullquote_feature":{"quote":"The community and environmental benefits are pretty clear, for example, greenhouse gas emissions avoidance. If a community cares about recycling and investing in recycling, it should be caring about and investing in organic waste management at least on par, if not more.","image":"","attribution":"Marty Pool, Sustainability Manager, City of Durango"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Costs & Benefits: Table to Farm Compost"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Costs & Benefits: Table to Farm Compost<\/h3>\r\nDiGiorgio says it has a \u201cgreat partnership\u201d that allows the City of Durango to work with Table to Farm Compost. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t commit the City to providing citywide service or any program funding, but it helps show the City\u2019s support for organics recycling,\u201d she notes. \u201cI hope that by 2026, the Resolution passed by the City Council turns into something meaningful, such as not allowing organics in the trash. It also could lead to an RFP for services that our company can bid on.\u201d DiGiorgio explains that the City will be tracking the development and rollout of Colorado\u2019s extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation, which will guide the structure and funding of statewide recycling services. \u201cCommunity-wide recycling and composting will place our local government ahead of the curve in this effort to ensure it receives as much statewide support as possible,\u201d she says.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"PPP Lessons Learned"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

PPP Lessons Learned<\/h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_30330\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"336\"]\"\" Team member dumping food scraps bucket into truck bed. Credit: Table to Farm[\/caption]\r\n\r\nCity of Durango:<\/strong> The City\u2019s experience with its PPP with Table to Farm Compost has been positive, says Pool, and illustrates how a for-profit business can provide city services \u2014 especially ones with social and environmental benefits.\r\n\r\nTable To Farm Compost:<\/strong> DiGiorgio views the PPP as an instrumental tool in enabling the company to work collaboratively with the City of Durango. The PPP \u201cis a first step towards citywide composting,\u201d she explains. \u201cIf we didn\u2019t have that step, all of the work we\u2019ve been doing in Durango would have been harder. For example, the partnership meant that City staff could work with us over the years. Staff provides research, updates, and education to City Council. The PPP has given our company more standing.\u201d She adds that the resolution that passed in January is a great step in demonstrating that the City Council is prioritizing organics recycling.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"M\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

M\u00e1s informaci\u00f3n<\/h3>\r\n