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.

Recycle Colorado is seeking a passionate and mission-driven leader who possesses emotional intelligence and the ability to cultivate meaningful relationships with members and key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have:

Recycle Colorado launched a six-month free recycling pilot for eight apartment buildings in downtown Denver this week. The goal is to increase tenants’ access to recycling, which could contribute significantly to Denver’s waste diversion goal of 50 percent by 2030. The city’s Solid Waste Management Division estimates that approximately one-third of the city’s population lives in multifamily complexes that are not eligible for city recycling collection services. This pilot assists and incentivizes multifamily properties to start their own recycling programs.

Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Bills will incentivize development of new end-market users of recycled materials, create a public awareness campaign to increase recycling and establish a statewide organics management plan

Election November 2019

In November, eligible Recycle Colorado members will elect five (5) candidates to serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term (2020-2022, ending December 2022). Recycle Colorado members will receive an email in October with more information about the election. The Nominating Committee is confident that the presented candidates have the time, ability and inclination to serve on the Board of Directors. Each candidate has signed the Recycle Colorado Board Letter of Commitment, acknowledging their desire and ability to serve. Questions about the slate of candidates or the selection process can be directed to Tim Dailey, Nominating Committee member.

The Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Study Committee announced four bills they will consider on October 22 at their final meeting. At that final meeting, the committee will vote on which two bills to approve as the bills that will be expedited through the legislative process when the session begins January 8, 2020. The two bills that do not come from the committee can be introduced during the regular session by individual legislators (they would not have the backing of the committee and would not be expedited).

On September 10, the Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Committee (ZWRISC) identified five bill concepts that will be expanded into draft bills. The drafts will be completed by October 2 so that a fiscal analysis can be completed prior to the next ZWRISC meeting. The Committee will meet October 22 to vote on which two bills will pass out of the committee as official ZWRISC bills. Draft bills that are not selected by the committee on October 22 can still be introduced in January by individual legislators.

The five bill concepts are: