After several years of global market challenges for recyclable commodities, such as China’s limits on importing recyclables, state legislators, with support from Recycle Colorado, took several tangible steps toward creating local markets to boost our local economies. The Front Range Waste Diversion program was created in 2019 and provides grants and technical assistance to Front Range communities to increase recycling, composting, and waste reduction. This year the legislature passed a bill to identify a structure and governing guidance for a Recycling End Market Development Center to support the development and expansion of end-market businesses in Colorado. Both of these programs enhance the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity program, a cornerstone grant program championed by Recycle Colorado in 2007.

Solid leadership is of the utmost importance in times of change. Recycle Colorado is proud to celebrate a diverse group of recycling stewards. Join us in acknowledging the 2020 Recycling Awards recipients. This year’s annual awards highlight the achievements of individuals, the dedication of schools and teachers to instill recycling habits, the commitment of lawmakers to increase waste diversion, and more.

Students, from all corners of Colorado, competed for just three conference scholarships awarded by Recycle Colorado this year, and the recipients were all from Colorado State University -- an impressive achievement for CSU and its academics. At the virtual Summit for Recycling conference, students will learn about career opportunities in the recycling, materials management and sustainability fields, while connecting with private businesses, local government, nonprofits, and university representatives.

We all know that recycling and composting in Colorado has been lagging behind the national average. Our state waste diversion goals are coming up quickly, with the first benchmark in 2021 of 32% for the Front Range and 28% statewide. Increasing organics recycling through composting is critical to reaching our goals.

Seven of Colorado’s 10 largest cities in the Front Range don’t provide curbside recycling to all residents. Front Range communities, which recycle and compost only 18% of their residential waste, have a long way to go to get to 32% by 2021 as outlined in Colorado’s materials management plan.

Forty percent of food produced in the United States is never eaten, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. That is enough to feed 164 million Americans their full, varied diet every day of the year. Wasted food is the single largest item going into our landfills. 

Colorado’s first recycling grant program, the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Program, has awarded almost $25 million to entities developing recycling infrastructure in the state since 2007. The potential upheaval in global markets presents an opportunity for the U.S. and Colorado recyclers to improve their materials quality and to create local markets that will boost our local economies. Colorado’s newest grant program, the Front Range Waste Diversion Program, will offer approximately $2.5 million for waste diversion projects in its first grant cycle this year.

Measure helps Colorado attract recycling businesses, investors and entrepreneurs, create local jobs

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.

Have you ever wondered what messaging best motivates people to recycle?

Circular economies are in the spotlight following the shockwaves of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the tilt in security, travel and transportation, and business operations, the focus is on how we fortify and better use our own resources. As we work to more sustainably manage finite resources and decrease pollution in our shrinking space, there is an opportunity to create economic growth through end-market development. A circular system for materials will create new jobs, enhance infrastructure and technology, as well as meet international sustainability initiatives.

Recycle Colorado completed a six-month free recycling pilot for eight downtown Denver apartment buildings in May 2020. 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. Increasing access to recycling for multi-family complexes could contribute significantly to Denver’s goal of 50 percent waste diversion by 2030. The City’s Solid Waste Management Division estimates that approximately one-third of the city’s population live in multi-family complexes that are not eligible for city recycling collection services.

Senate Bill 20-055 heads to the governor’s desk for signature

Each year Recycle Colorado seeks nominations for our annual Recycling Awards. These prestigious awards recognize governmental entities, individuals, companies, organization and media for their excellence in recycling or promotion of recycling.

Student winners of statewide poster contest announced

Art is alive and well in the hands of Colorado students. Today, Recycle Colorado’s 13th annual poster contest winners were announced. Every year, students in kindergarten through 12th grade have fun showcasing their artistic talent in the spirit of their commitment to recycling. More than 20 schools participated in the contest. The posters were grouped into five grade categories, and a first- and second-place winner were awarded in each category.

Interested in pursuing a career in sustainable materials management?

Recycle Colorado is seeking candidates for its Future Leaders Program. This scholarship provides funds for college students to attend the 2020 Summit for Recycling virtual conference.

The Colorado Composting Council is excited to announce its social media launch on Facebook! The Facebook Page launches April 20, 2020 to mark the start of Earth Week, followed by a celebration of the International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) May 3 – 9, 2020.

Recycle Colorado is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin Kim Haynes as its new executive director, effective April 13, 2020.

As we all adjust to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we recycle right during this time when recyclables are needed more than ever. The recyclable materials collected from homes and businesses go on to create new essential products like tissues and paper towels and packaging boxes for medical and grocery supplies.

Congratulations to the following candidates who were elected to the Recycle Colorado Board of Directors for a three-year term. Re-elected to the Board was Randy Moorman with Eco-Cycle. The remaining members are new to the Board.