We hear a lot about residential trash collection in Lakewood. Now we want to know what you think! We have launched a community discussion called the Lakewood Round Table and invite you to join the conversation about residential trash collection for single-family homes and town homes. Keep reading to learn more and then visit LakewoodTogether.org to share your opinion.

What are the goals of this project?

How is trash and recycling collected in Lakewood?
Lakewood currently has an “open subscription” residential trash collection system, which means single-family homeowners, town home residents and homeowner associations in Lakewood sign up for trash collection services through any of the private companies that are licensed to collect trash in Lakewood. The City requires haulers to license annually, but does not regulate services, scheduling or costs. 

At first glance, trash collection seems like a straightforward topic, but a closer look reveals a range of complex issues, impacts and trade-offs. For example, the current open subscription system allows multiple businesses to have the opportunity to generate revenues and provide jobs. At the same time, this results in a range of neighborhood issues like heavy truck traffic on local roads and in residential areas, increased noise, more air pollution and unnecessary wear and tear on streets. Communities wrestle with a number of other issues when assessing trash collection programs:

How can you learn more and share your opinion?
How well do you think the current system is working? Do you have ideas for how to improve the system? Your opinions and ideas will enable Lakewood to make informed policy and program decisions about a system that affects everyone living in Lakewood. Learn more, take a survey and add suggestions to the Round Table online community idea board at LakewoodTogether.org. 

While you're on the site, don't forget to contribute to the Your Ideas tab, where you can respond to your neighbors ideas and share your own!


How is Lakewood engaging the rest of the community?
Throughout the summer, Sustainability staff will be at markets, concerts, softball games, parks and more to gather information from the community. Just look for the Round Table minivan or pop-up tent and come with your questions, opinions and ideas!