By Michael Booth

Cities and counties across Colorado are experimenting with new ways to minimize trash and maximize recycling, spurred on by higher landfill fees and global-warming worries.

Some are offering an "organics" bin next to the now-familiar paper, glass and metals bin — snatching those table scraps and leaf piles from the waste stream can cut landfill dumping by 50 percent to 70 percent. Some are joining the pay-as-you- throw movement adopted years ago by Fort Collins, Boulder and others, where dumping more than one can a week costs extra.

Denver also will test recycling commercial organic waste with a parallel pilot program for airport vendors. The tests will last through June, when recycling staff will evaluate spreading the organics program through the whole city.

Organics recycling can even clean up a city's sewage. Saving old pasta or castoff lettuce in a bin means less material stuffed down the garbage disposal and into public drains, said Jeff Callahan, manager of Boulder County's Resource Conservation Division.

Photo credit: Suvi Korhonen