Keeping Cottonwood Heights Affordable and Clean: Updates on Our Waste Management

The statements in this article are the author's views and not necessarily of the entire city council.

As your District 1 Councilman, my daily focus is doing everything I can to keep life affordable and enjoyable for all families here in Cottonwood Heights.

The Value of Our Waste and Recycling Services
In this update, I want to focus on my work as a board member for the Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District (WFWRD). As residents, we tend not to think about our trash and recycling collection unless there’s a disruption in service or a rate increase. Because of this, providing regular, reliable, and efficient collection—including traditional recycling, green waste, and glass—remains one of my top priorities.

Recent Legislative Changes
Action taken during the 2026 state legislative session has put additional pressure on WFWRD to evaluate every aspect of our services. Historically, special districts like WFWRD are governed by representatives from each member city, and for a member city to leave, the governing board had to vote to allow the exit.

However, the passage of HB 429 (Special District Amendments) changed this dynamic. Now, a city council can vote to leave a district and establish its own individual collection without needing the district's approval. This legislative shift was spurred by Herriman City’s desire to manage its own collection—a transition expected this year. As a result, WFWRD must ensure it offers an appropriate level of service and stays competitive with the various private-sector options deployed across the Salt Lake Valley. Otherwise, we may see more member cities leave the district, making it increasingly unaffordable for those that remain.

Upcoming Planning & Cost-Cutting Initiatives
In the coming months, the WFWRD Board of Trustees will hold an in-depth planning session to face these new pressures head-on. Our goal is to evaluate all options to stay competitive, keep fees low for residents, and give the district the best chance for success before additional member cities consider leaving.

Here are several cost-cutting and efficiency strategies we will be exploring:

• Reducing Administrative Costs: Transitioning to postcard mailers and incentivizing customers to sign up for paperless billing to reduce mailing expenses.
• Payment Processing: Identifying a vendor that streamlines payments and reduces processing fees. For 2027, we are considering passing on credit card processing fees, while ensuring completely free payment alternatives remain available to residents.
• Service Adjustments: Exploring more efficient alternatives to the Seasonal Container Reservation Program (SCRAP), such as offering a curbside pickup option during the spring or fall for seasonal cleaning.
• Resident Preferences: Surveying residents to determine whether weekly or bi-weekly recycling pickup is preferred, and reviewing various service offerings to see if certain programs are no longer necessary.
• Revenue Growth: Adding commercial customers to help supplement the overall budget and increase collection efficiencies.
• Distance-Based Zoning: Evaluating zoning options so communities located further away (like those up our canyons) pay a rate reflective of their distance. Cottonwood Heights is much closer to the district’s garage and landfill, meaning it costs the district comparatively less to service our city than various other communities.

My Commitment to You
These are just a few ideas on the table, and I would appreciate any and all feedback that you, as members of our community, would like to share.

Over the next year, if the district cannot meet the needs of our residents at a level of service and cost comparable to what communities outside the district receive, Cottonwood Heights will have an obligation to look at alternative options. I am committed to making sure you are getting the best available services for your hard-earned dollars.