Greeley is growing, and so is its waste. This new transfer station is part of the solution.
Greeley has become one of the fastest-growing counties in Colorado and the US. When Greeley households generate more than one ton of trash per year, this growth is putting unprecedented pressure on our waste management systems. Compounding this challenge is the expectation that the closest landfill in Larimer County will close in 2025.
So where is all of Greeley’s waste to go? City leaders have approved the construction of a transfer station, which is a tried and tested solution for a municipal waste challenge like Greeley’s.
Transferring Greeley’s waste
The facility, currently under construction off East 22nd Street near First Avenue, is designed to temporarily deposit and consolidate nonhazardous waste locally before being transported to landfills outside the city. The transfer station is expected to significantly improve waste management by reducing:
- Transportation time for drivers
- Transportation costs for the city and households
- Fuel consumption for operators
- Wear and tear on roads
- Noise pollution from trucks
The state-of-the-art facility, designed and under construction by local firm DCB, will be fully enclosed to prevent odors and reduce its environmental impact. No incineration will occur onsite, alleviating any air quality concerns.
The transfer station will be open to the public to receive nonhazardous waste that is then weighed on certified scales and charged a fee per pound. The majority of the 300-500 tons of waste expected each day will come from commercial haulers. 
Creating jobs and fueling business
Although the facility will create an estimated six full-time jobs onsite, it is expected to have a much more significant indirect impact on the local economy through the use of contract haulers and transport related services.
But the transfer station is just part of the economic story. Permitting is also underway next door for a 75,000-square-foot industrial park with four state-of-the-art buildings. The park will not only provide facilities for warehousing and storage but is expected to become a hub of business activity that attracts even more investment to Greeley. Leases will go online as soon as permits are approved.
“The transfer station is an essential part of Greeley’s growth plan,” says City Manager Raymond Lee. “The fact that it’s needed is a testament to Greeley’s strength and attractiveness for business and people seeking our high quality of life.”