Curbside convenience: Tips for advancing your community recycling initiatives

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.

What can communities do? Join other city and town representatives and hear about success stories at the “Policy Solutions to Address Urban Challenges” session Tuesday, August 25, during the virtual 2020 Summit for Recycling conference. It is a great opportunity to learn about the specifics of passing waste policies at the local level. Examples include the passage of a single-hauler ordinance and contract in the City of Arvada, passage and implementation of Boulder’s Zero Waste Ordinance and the collaborative work of the North Front Range Regional Wasteshed Coalition and intergovernmental agreement.

“Creating policy is truly a multi-step process. Even at the local level, there are a lot of behind-the-scenes efforts that play a crucial part in getting a policy across the finish line,” said Randy Moorman, director of community campaigns at Eco-Cycle and board member at Recycle Colorado. “You won’t want to miss this session, where we will get the scoop on how three communities were successful in getting major waste policy accomplished at the local level.”

Recycle Colorado’s annual Summit for Recycling, online this year, brings together waste processors, manufacturers, government agencies, businesses and individuals from Colorado and surrounding states. The agenda includes educational sessions, virtual exhibit hall, and networking events. The 2020 Summit for Recycling is sponsored by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, MolsonCoors, Swire Coca-Cola, Ball Corporation, Momentum Recycling, Waste-Not Recycling and additional partners. Register for the conference at recyclecolorado.org.