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Compost Bill Addresses Climate Change and Building Healthy Soils

NEW BILL WILL CHART PATH TO CAPTURE FOOD SCRAPS AND YARD TRIMMINGS BEFORE THEY GO TO THE LANDFILL—A MUCH-NEEDED STEP IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE, BUILDING HEALTHY SOILS THAT CAN BETTER RETAIN WATER AND EXTENDING THE LIFE OF LANDFILLS

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EPA Environmental Justice Hiring

EPA is excited to announce the largest hiring effort to support environmental justice initiatives in Agency history! We are looking for talented staff dedicated to advancing equity and justice who want to join us from all around the country and support communities working to make change happen on the ground! Apply by March 27, 2023. 

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Apply to be the Latin Community Outreach Coordinator at HC3

The High Country Conservation Center (HC3) is hiring for a new recycling position. This role will help Summit County reach its goal of 40% waste diversion by 2035. 

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Denver Public Schools is hiring for a Sustainability Coordinator!

Come join a fun and high-performing team that is looking for administrative support. The sustainability coordinator works with the sustainability team to maintain accurate utility data, participates in process improvement opportunities and maintains customer satisfaction with utility related concerns. They are responsible for coordination of operational functions, such as financial, data, communications and sustainability program needs. 

Read the Job description and Apply

US Composting Council launches industry-focused career center

The USCC Career Center, powered by YM Careers, will help composting professionals and companies connect and facilitate industry growth.

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Now Available: RREO Program FY24 Mini-Grant Request for Applications

The purpose of this RFA is to fund projects that lead to opportunities to divert waste from landfills. The intent of this solicitation is to offer “mini-grants” through a simplified application process for small-scale projects that meet the goals of the RREO program. Grant funds are available for equipment and supplies purchases. 

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Aspen City Council approves new Organics Waste Diversion ordinance

New law will divert organics from the trash, and thus the landfill

 

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A1 ORGANICS: New Guidelines for residential and commercial compost collection

Effective April 1, 2023, accepted materials in residential and commercial compost collection will be limited to:

• ONLY food scraps

• ONLY yard / plant trimmings

• ONLY 3 gallon certified (CMA Approved) compostables bags used to collect food scraps

 

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The government will pay you $30 an hour to sort through Telluride’s trash in the name of social science

Picking through what’s left behind by high-season tourists will help towns in San Miguel County figure out how to change what people toss and why.

Read the full article on the Colorado Sun

RFP: Wasteless Colorado Springs

A request for proposals to hire a consultant for the City of Colorado Springs’ waste characterization study and action plan (project titledWastelessCOS) is now posted on BidNet. The closing date to submit proposals is 3pm MDT on March 15. The number for the posting is R23-006CA.

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RFP: Implementation of Reusable Service Ware Pilot Program

The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency is seeking a firm to assist Denver retail food establishments with transitioning to reusable food service ware for onsite dining. This consultant will provide technical assistance and resources to facilitate retail food establishments' transition from disposable non-reusable food service ware to durable reusable food service ware for onsite dining.

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Coming Soon: RREO Program FY24 Mini-grant Round 1 Request for Applications

Request for applications (RFA) #MG042823 is scheduled to be published on the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) website on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

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Lobby Day 2023

Recycle Colorado Lobby Day 2023: A Beautiful Day at the Capitol

Lobby Day 2023 was a great success. With some returning lobbyists, ready to share their knowledge, along with a few newbies, excited to learn, the first in-person Lobby Day in over 2 years, was one to remember.

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Liz Chapman Highlighted in Peak Environment Podcast

The new disposable plastic shopping bag “ban” and Colorado’s miserable recycling rate (15%) are among the topics as we hear from Liz Chapman, Executive Director of Recycle Colorado. Chapman shares information about new waste policies being implemented or voted on in 2023, plus other efforts to improve recycling and reduce waste statewide.

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Middle school STEM teams compete for top honors at the Colorado Future City Competition.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, 22 middle school teams from Colorado and Wyoming will compete in the regional competition for Future City.

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New state bag law will benefit the environment and our health

Great article written by Recycle Colorado member Ryan Call of Eco-Cycle!

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How will Colorado’s new bag fee impact your life? Just look to the cities that already have bag charges.

As the state follows many local communities with a 10-cent plastic fee on Jan. 1, and a ban in 2024, conservationists count up the benefits.

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Wasting No Resource City Hires Community Recycling Coordinator

Alicia Archibald Brings Two Decades of Environmental Management to Position

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Appointments Made for Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Advisory Board

CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan has made appointments for thirteen voting members on the Producer Responsibility Advisory Board for the new Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling. The Advisory Board appointments include the following sector representatives:
  
● Caroline Mitchell, City of Fort Collins, Municipality seat (3-year term)
● Jake Niece, Ouray County, County seat (2-year term)
● Gail Garey, City of Steamboat Springs, Non-Front Range local government seat (3-year term)
● Richard Kattar, Swordfish Consulting, Materials recovery facility seat (2-year term)
● Nicole Willett, GFL Environmental, Recyclable materials hauler seat (3-year term)
● Clinton Sander, A1 Organics, Compost facility seat (2-year term)
● Elizabeth Chapman, Recycle Colorado, Non-profit seat (3-year term)
● Scott Saunders, KW Plastics, Packaging supplier seat (3-year term)
● Steve Priddy, WestRock, Manufacturer of recycled paper products seat (2-year term)
● Scott DeFife, Glass Packaging Institute, Trade association seat (3-year term)
● Christopher Howes, Colorado Retail Council, Retailers association seat (2-year term)
● Junior Ortega, Asociación de Jóvenes Unidos en Acción, Environmental justice seat (2-year term)
● Barrett Jensen, Waste Connections, Landfill with recycling seat (2-year term)

Congratulations to Recycle Colorado's Elizabeth Chapman on the nonprofit seat appointment as well as all other Recycle Colorado members who were appointed. We are excited to see what the future of Producer Responsibility has for Colorado!

For more information about Colorado’s new extended producer responsibility (EPR) program, please visit our website. For questions, please contact Darla Arians, Producer Responsibility Lead, (720) 263-1219, [email protected]

Foam Cycle 2021 Annual Report

Disposing of foam waste doesn’t have to happen any longer!
Introducing Foam Cycles 2021 impact report. In this report, you will read about the dedicated people and the inspiring foam recycling programs from all parts of the country.
Foam Cycle locations from across the country recently took part in a Penn State University research project. The lofty goal was to quantify the impact of foam (aka Styrofoam) recycling for local communities that have Foam Cycle systems in operation. Since 2017, more than 19 Foam Cycle systems have been installed, allowing a whopping 4,042,423 people access to foam recycling where none existed before!
The Foam Cycle 2021 Annual Report provides a snapshot of the overall impact that each municipality, county, public-private partnership, and non-profit organization have on recycling efforts. These impacts include providing access, diverting landfill airspace, and reducing trucking.

Download the Foam Cycle 2021 Annual Report