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

Deadline: Spring 2021

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment requests applications from entities wishing to claim a rebate from the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) program. More information about the rebate program, as well as the application, can be found on the CDPHE website.

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.

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.

Governor Jared Polis announced March 19 that Colorado’s application for federal disaster area designation has been approved. Colorado small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can now seek individual small business loans up to $2M as part of the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Small businesses throughout all 64 counties may seek SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. To learn more or apply, please visit: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index.

Accepting applications in 2021

Public and private entities in the U.S. and/or Canada that engage in any of the following activities are eligible to apply for the FRC grant:

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:

The Colorado Contractor’s Challenge (CCC) is a free program designed by contractors, for contractors, that provides recognition and support to companies who pledge to improve their green building practices. Companies choose commitments from a list of 15 voluntary measures based on job site conditions and company goals. Recycle Colorado provides support, resources and trainings to fill gaps in implementation. Participating contractors receive individually tailored assistance such as:

• Waste management plan review
• On-site recycling training
• Recycling signage support
• Collaboration with construction and demolition recyclers

Eleven companies based in the Front Range and Summit, Eagle and Pitkin counties have taken the pledge since the program launch in April 2019.

All of Colorado’s K-12 students are invited to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to recycling by participating in Recycle Colorado’s 13th Annual Recycling Poster Contest. One grand-prize winner receives a $100 gift card. The grand-prize winner’s school receives a $200 gift card for room supplies.

Colorado has a closed-loop economy for glass bottles, yet it is estimated that less than 30 percent of the glass that enters the waste stream is actually collected for recycling. Recycle Colorado designed the Glass Recycling Pilot Project to study the barriers to recycling in the commercial sector in the City of Denver.

As announced earlier this year, Laurie Johnson is transitioning back to the private sector. Laurie accepted a position with 5280 Recycling Solutions as Chief Operating Offier for their recycling division. The Recycle Colorado Board, in partnership with Laurie and 5280, agreed to participate in a transparent and thoughtful transition process over the course of 2019. After the planning and execution of a successful Summit in Pueblo, Laurie's official last day with Recycle Colorado was June 15, 2019.

Happy Spring! Recycle Colorado is hard at work organizing an innovative and educational Summit for Recycling conference June 9-11! I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of our other updates.