Governor signs bill to boost recycling and spur economic development

As we continue to face a global pandemic, the Colorado legislature took a bold measure and passed legislation to boost recycling in the state and create local jobs. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, manufacturers have been demanding more recycled feedstock and they need more of it sourced nationally and locally. Colorado is currently a small contributor to the recycling economy--only recycling and composting 17% of its municipal solid waste (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 2018)--less than half the national average of 35%. This bill seeks to change that.

CDPHE releases 2019 Colorado Recycling Report

The report outlines recycling and composting rates, materials diverted and other highlights from 2019 recycling activity across the state. Out of nearly 14.5 million tons of waste generated from residential, commercial and industrial sources, Coloradans recycled nearly 5 million tons, a total diversion rate of 33%. The municipal solid waste (MSW) diversion rate, a subset of the total diversion rate that includes only residential and commercial sources, is down from 17.2% in 2018 to 15.9% in 2019.

More recycling data in Colorado
Information on recycling facilities, materials, and regulations

Colorado Contractor's Challenge links goals to on-site implementation

The Challenge is a voluntary program for contractors to promote sustainable business practices.

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Recycle Colorado finds success with multi-family recycling pilot

Recycle Colorado recently completed a six-month free recycling pilot for eight downtown Denver apartment buildings. The goals of the pilot were to assess how much material could be captured by adding single-stream recycling and to understand the barriers to implementing and managing recycling services for apartments. The eight apartment buildings (representing 152 rental units) collected 239 yards of recycling (the equivalent of 112 pickup truck loads). All properties will continue with their recycling collection programs.