In response to misuse of public dumpsters last summer, the town of Silverton announced earlier this month it would remove the bins – a move town officials now admit was poorly communicated – sparking backlash from residents.
The notice, which read, “Less trash cans = less trash,” drew 62 Facebook comments – many mocking the message’s logic.
One comment sarcastically suggested the town also reduce public restrooms so people, “urinate less and take their urine with them.”
“The initial post was poorly worded, and we'll own that,” said Town Administrator Gloria Kaasch-Buerger.
Town officials, however, maintain the decision is fiscally and logistically necessary, especially given the town’s circumstances.
Contrary to what the original post implied, Silverton is not removing all public trash cans – only two large dumpsters.
The dumpsters – a 30-yard “camper dumpster” and the “memorial dumpster” – were intended to help outdoor recreationists pack out trash after extended stays in the surrounding mountains.
Both were removed due to what the town described as “excessive misuse,” according to a lengthy news release that was issued following the original notice on social media.
Residents and businesses are supposed to take their trash to the waste collection station on designated days. Instead, many used the dumpsters meant for campers and visitors, causing overflow and attracted bears, Kaasch-Buerger said.
Additionally, she said people were dumping prohibited items like household furniture, which take up a significant amount of dumpster space.
Last summer, Silverton adopted a generous trash policy and approved nearly all requests for new dumpsters and trash cans. Still, the town struggled with litter and illegal dumping, leading to a shift in approach.
“A lot of our residents and our visitors were using that camper dumpster as kind of a free for all, for everyone to dump in,” Kaasch-Buerger said. “And it was getting to be overwhelming.”
The news release said the camper dumpster was “regularly overflowing” and the area had become a “hot spot” for litter. A recent citizen-led volunteer cleanup removed 37 bags of garbage from the site.
Silverton, located at 9,302 feet in the San Juan Mountains, has a population of 713. Waste removal in such a remote location is both challenging and expensive.
In 2020, Silverton entered a 10-year contract with Bruin Waste, the only company willing to service the area.
Since then, service costs have steadily increased. Each time trash containers are filled and emptied, the town incurs added expense. More trash means higher costs.
The camper dumpster alone cost the town about $4,500 a month – about $18,000 over the peak summer season. That, along with other waste-related costs, contributed to a $96,000 shortfall in Silverton’s refuse fund in 2024, requiring a transfer from the general fund.
Removing the dumpsters was the fiscally responsible choice Kaasch-Buerger said.
Still, not all residents are convinced.
“This is upsetting, because the tourists are invited here. We live off of tourist money, and we've invited all these people here, and then we tell them that they can't leave their trash here,” said Melody Skinner, a longtime Silverton resident and former sheriff’s dispatcher. “It’s like pulling up the welcome mat.”
Kaasch-Buerger clarified that the 23 public trash cans – or “convenience bins,” as she calls them – will remain in the business district. One public dumpster will remain available at The Whistlestop gas station.
But some residents say there are fewer downtown bins this summer.
“She says they're still downtown, but a lot of them aren't. There's not as many as before,” Skinner said.
Kaasch-Buerger said the same number of bins are available as last summer, though some have been relocated and deployed gradually. The delay, she said, is due to the retrofitting cans with wildlife-resistant lids.
Last summer, a human-wildlife conflict led to the death of a mother-bear, prompting stricter waste disposal practices – another factor in the decision to remove the dumpsters.
The constant overflow of garbage caused a significant increase in bear incidences prior to the bear’s death.
Another criticism made by locals: lack of transparency around the decision.
The dumpster removal was not mentioned in board agendas or meeting minutes, and residents said they were not informed the changes were under consideration.
When asked who was responsible for the change, Kaasch-Buerger said it was “town staff,” not elected officials. Staff held several meetings over the winter to discuss trash solutions.
Because it was an operational decision and not a policy one, it did not require board approval, she said.
Each year, Silverton and the surrounding San Juan County welcome more than 4 million visitors, according to the Silverton Chamber of Commerce. Many recreate in the backcountry, where they generate waste that must be packed out.
But with the large dumpsters gone, residents are asking: Where will the trash go?
The town says it wants visitors to take it with them but is also exploring alternatives. One option under consideration is a point-of-sale system at the town transfer station, where visitors could pay to dispose of trash without passing the cost to taxpayers.
Officials say they will monitor conditions throughout the summer and adjust operations as needed.
“This isn’t set in stone,” Kaasch-Buerger said. “We’re just trying this out because what we did last year didn’t work. We gave everyone everything, and we were still overwhelmed with trash.”
jbowman@durangoherald.com
