Colorado is poised to have one of the nation’s best recycling programs as it implements its best-in-class Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. The newly released Circular Action Alliance (CAA) report charts a course towards raising the recycling rate to as high as 50% by 2035. This is all possible because the state passed HB24-1355, creating a producer responsibility program for recycling in Colorado.
The purpose of the upcoming RREO rebate is to assist free public recycling drop-off sites by offsetting a portion of the transportation costs incurred by shipping recyclables to market or to a processing center. The rebate period covers costs incurred by drop-off sites from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. To be eligible for the rebate, each public drop-off site must have collected a minimum of 10 tons of qualifying recyclables during the rebate period and must continue to be operational and open to the public today. Additional eligibility requirements will be provided within the application.
Based on feedback, Circular Action Alliance (CAA) revised the three proposed recycling scenarios to:
Foam polystyrene (PS) is part of our everyday lives - from egg cartons in the grocery store, to protective cushioning in shipments, to takeout containers from our local restaurants. Because PS foam is over 90% air, it can be costly to transport for recycling. However, when the foam is densified - compacted into dense blocks - is can be transported more cost-effectively. For example, a 48-foot truckload of baled PS foam weighs around 16,000 pounds, whereas a truckload of densified PS foam weighs approximately 40,000 pounds. The Foam Recycling Coalition (a part of the Foodservice Packaging Institute) is hosting a webinar that will provide more information about foam recycling and end markets for densified foam. Additionally, the webinar will provide information on the FRC grant program that provides up to $50K per grant to public, private, or non-profit entities that are engaged with drop-off centers, curbside programs, or MRFs and looking to increase foam recycling for their communities. Grant applications will be accepted between March 18 – April 22, 2024.
Consumer Expectations for Glass Recycling Remains High
The Circular Economy Development Center’s recent stakeholder meeting explored concrete examples that show how circular models are evolving in southern Colorado, highlighting several businesses that derive their success from recovered plastics. On February 7 at Microchip’s Colorado Springs facility, business owners, government representatives and elected officials heard from Front Range Transload, a Pueblo-based material-handling company that provides the opportunity to aggregate less than full loads of material until there is enough volume for a truck or rail carload to go to market. Direct Polymers, a recycling services provider, uses the space to aggregate plastics. The company is preparing to close the loop on plastics by launching a manufacturing business in Colorado. The CEDC is helping coordinate these projects as part of circular economy development and showing other recyclers how materials could be stored for combined transport by rail or truck.
"In another step toward implementation of extended producer responsibility for packaging, Colorado regulators published a report laying out which materials would be covered and exploring different options for how the program could operate.
In another step toward implementation of extended producer responsibility for packaging, Colorado regulators published a report laying out which materials would be covered and exploring different options for how the program could operate.
Preliminary numbers indicate DIA processed 12,000 tons of trash in 2023 and sent 21 percent of that waste to recycling or composting instead of the landfill.
The Circular Economy Development Center is dedicated to helping Colorado’s businesses achieve the maximum value from their products and transition toward a more sustainable future.
The final draft of Colorado’s Needs Assessment report for statewide recycling has been published, and the CDPHE is now accepting feedback on this report. Circular Action Alliance (CAA) initiated this study as part of Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program for packaging and paper products. The needs assessment is an in-depth study that assessed Colorado’s existing recycling systems and identifies opportunities for improving recycling and collection rates of covered materials.
In 2023, 1.5 to 1.8 billion fewer bags were used in Colorado. That's according to an estimate by Eco-Cycle, a nonprofit recycling center that focuses on zero waste.
Last week, the City of Boulder's Emily Freeman was awarded the 2023 Green Champion award from the Colorado Green Building Guild for her work in deconstruction and outreach. Emily oversees the success of the City of Boulder’s deconstruction ordinance to keep carbon intensive building materials available for reuse and recycling. Since ordinance implementation, Boulder has diverted 77% of building materials from the landfill. Emily is leading efforts to identify opportunities for improvement, engage with the deconstruction community, and drive progress towards the city’s goals.
"Last October, the ordinance went into effect to ensure all businesses within Aspen city limits with retail food licenses have been composting, donating, or disposing of organic waste instead of placing it within regular trash cans as had previously been accepted. And according to Waste Diversion and Recycling Administrator Ainsley Brosnan-Smith, since the program’s inception, it’s been nothing short of a complete success."
The Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling is accepting applications for a vacancy on the Producer Responsibility Advisory Board. This individual will represent the hauler of recyclable materials seat and continue in a three-year term that ends in December of 2025. We are accepting applications until January 26 or until the seat is filled.
Denver, Colorado – 5280 Waste Solutions is pleased to announce it has formed a strategic partnership with the City and County of Denver to provide solid waste collection services at all City-owned facilities.
Americans generate 23% more waste in December than other months of the year. Want to celebrate the holidays more sustainably? Check out Eco-Cycle's Zero Waste Holiday Guide, with new tips to help you find sustainable alternatives to traditional gift wrapping paper, reduce food waste, host Zero Waste gatherings, and more!
Attention retail food establishments! Denver’s new Reuse Denver program can help your small business save money, reduce waste and create a better customer experience!
In 2020, Governor Polis declared the third week of November “Colorado Recycles Week,” and in celebration, Eco-Cycle and CoPIRG just released our 7th annual State of Recycling and Composting in Colorado Report that examines the progress made by the state and Colorado communities in recycling and composting. Despite a low recycling rate, Colorado is poised for significant breakthroughs in reducing waste!
