ReTRAC Waste Hauler Data Collection Program

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

In 2015 Boulder County partnered with the City of Boulder to purchase and run a nationally recognized program for tracking waste hauling data for local and state government organizations – this program is called ReTRAC. The program makes tracking of waste hauler data and local diversion efforts much easier and less time intensive. Before implementing ReTRAC, Boulder County relied on an antiquated system of reporting that was difficult for waste haulers to use and difficult for county staff to manipulate. This old system created stress and dissatisfaction for haulers and for county employees. It also created large gaps in data collection making it hard to get a complete picture of what was being hauled and how much was being diverted from the landfill. Boulder County has passed two Zero Waste Resolutions, one in 2005 and one in 2010. These Zero Waste Resolutions have the goal of getting the county to “Zero Waste - or darn near” by 2025. Zero waste is defined as 85% or more of the waste created in the being diverted from the landfill and put to beneficial use. ReTRAC is a big piece of the puzzle in achieving zero waste. This system streamlines the reporting process for waste haulers and maintains all data online for easy access and analysis by county staff. ReTRAC has increased the reporting rate of haulers in the county and given the county a more robust data set to track where waste is going and how close the county is to achieving zero waste goals.