Become an authorized waste hauler (PDF application). To access the Authorized Waste Hauler Quarterly Reports portal, please click here.

View current list of haulers (link).

What is the purpose of this ordinance?  

Salt Lake City has a goal to achieve “Zero Waste” by 2040, which means as much waste as possible is being recycled and diverted from the landfill. Single-family residences are already required to participate in both curbside recycling and composting programs.

The City is capturing up to 38% of the waste from the residential sector. Commercial sector waste makes up 50% of the City’s total waste stream, but only 10% is being diverted because participation in recycling is voluntary. Adding business and multi-family recycling will boost the City’s overall diversion rate by as much as 20% and move us closer to achieving zero waste.

When did this ordinance take effect?

January 4, 2016.

Waste and recyclable material haulers will have six months to become an authorized hauler. Businesses and multi-family housing properties have a full two years after the effective date of the ordinance to comply. The City will provide downloadable materials and toolkits for businesses to help them comply. View current list of haulers.

Who does this ordinance affect?

The ordinance applies to waste and recyclable material haulers and any property or business that generates more than four cubic yards of waste per week. Waste haulers must be authorized to provide collection service in the City and provide quarterly reports on the waste they are diverting. If you haul waste or recycling and and operate within City limits (map), the ordinance applies to you.

What qualifies as a recyclable item?

Most businesses will opt for a single-stream recycling system. Businesses that generate glass or green waste or use a document shredding service can count those items toward their recycling requirements. You may provide only single-stream dumpsters or help customers with other recycling options, including through subcontracts with specialty haulers. When you apply to become an authorized hauler, you will list the types of material you haul and your subcontractors.

Why do I have to be certified as an authorized waste hauler in Salt Lake City?

Being an authorized hauler allows you to operate in the City and expand your business to the thousands of businesses and multi-family housing complexes that now will be recycling. Your customers will be asking for more recycling services. Becoming an authorized hauler will add value to your product making you more competitive. You will demonstrate to customers your commitment to the highest level of service by meeting their demand for a more sustainable Salt Lake City as we move towards becoming a zero waste city by 2040.

What steps do I need to take to become authorized? 

Becoming authorized is easy: fill out our online form and pay the annual fee of $315. The City will issue you a document stating that you have met the requirements and list your company on the Business Recycling webpage as an authorized hauler.

How do I comply with the ordinance? 

Once you become authorized, you will be required to submit quarterly reports on the total volume and tons of recyclable materials delivered to recycling and composting facilities, the names of facilities, and the percentage of materials diverted from the landfill. You will also report the percentage of accounts you service in the City that subscribe to an average of 4+ cubic yards per week of mixed waste and recyclables, plus information about non-compliance issues, such as contamination fees you assess to a customer, and the date and amount of material you disposed of as refuse as a direct result of the contamination.

All submitted records are kept strictly confidential & private in pursuant to Utah Code Ann. § 63G-2, Part 3. Any data that is published will be in aggregated form as to not single out any individual company. Data will be used with the strict purpose of calculating, analyzing, & tracking overall waste diversion in Salt Lake City. For more information on submitted records and applicable GRAMA laws, please contact the Salt Lake City Recorders Office at (801) 535-7671 or visit SLC.gov/recorder.

How do haulers submit reports?

To access the Authorized Waste Hauler Quarterly Reports portal, please click here.

Quarterly Reporting Requirements

1. The total volume and tons of recyclable items delivered to recycling facilities during the previous quarter, the names of the recycling facilities, and the percent of total material received by the recycling facilities reported to be diverted from a solid waste landfill or incinerator.

2. The total volume and tons of green waste material delivered to compost facilities during the previous quarter, the names of the compost facilities, and the percent of total material received by the compost facilities which was reported to be diverted from a solid waste landfill or incinerator.

3. The total volume and tons of non-recyclable items disposed of during the previous quarter and the names of facilities used.

4. Percent of accounts within Salt Lake City that subscribe to an average of four or more cubic yards of refuse, solid waste, green waste, and recyclable service per week.

5. Percent of total accounts within Salt Lake City that subscribe to green waste or recycling services.

6. Information about non-compliance by generators, including contamination fees assessed to any customer, and the date and amount of material disposed of as refuse as a result of contamination.​

*Quarterly reports are due the first full quarter after becoming an authorized hauler. As a courtesy reminder, emails will be sent to authorized waste haulers of quarterly reporting deadlines.

For reference on Salt Lake City’s boundaries, please see the zip code map of Salt Lake City’s boundaries.

How will the ordinance be enforced?

Salt Lake City’s Sanitation Education and Enforcement Team will be responsible for ensuring compliance. Enforcement will be complaint-based, and the City will use an education-first approach before issuing any penalties. During the first six months after the ordinance has passed,

City staff will work with local haulers to help them become authorized. Going forward, the City will work with you to meet reporting requirements and educate your customers so that recycling becomes an easy and normal part of their waste management system.

What happens to waste haulers who do not comply with the ordinance?

You are required to meet all the provisions of City Ordinance 9.08.200,  Solid Waste and Recyclable Items, which includes penalties for failure to comply.