Notice of intent issued

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy published a notice of intent to issue a joint Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled “BOTTLE: Bio-Optimized Technologies to Keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment.” This FOA supports the Department’s Plastics Innovation Challenge, a comprehensive program to accelerate innovations in energy-efficient plastics recycling technologies. This FOA will support high-impact research and development for plastics by developing new bio-based plastics that are capable of efficient recyclability and developing improved recycling strategies that can break down existing plastics into chemical building blocks that can be used to make higher-value products.

Deadline: February 26, 2020

The purpose of the Request for Applications (RFA) #29717 is to fund implementation projects that lead to new opportunities to increase waste diversion as well as to create jobs. Projects may focus on recycling, composting, waste minimization, anaerobic digestion repurposing, or reuse for a wide variety of materials. A total of $2 million is available to fund multiple projects. Funding is made possible through the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) Fund (C.R.S. §25-16.5-106.5 Chapter 270 Article 19. 7).

Recycle Colorado announces the selection of Barbara Bellanova as its new executive director. Bellanova will fill the full-time position effective January 13, 2020.

Deadline: February 26, 2020

EPA anticipates awarding approximately $44 million in competitive grant funding under the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA) National Grants Program. The program is soliciting applications nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions and exposure, particularly from fleets operating in areas designated by the Administrator as poor air quality areas.

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:

First Grant Solicitation: Spring 2020

In May 2019, Governor Polis signed SB19-192 into law. The bill created the Front Range Waste Diversion Grant Program for Colorado’s Front Range communities funded by an increase in the landfill user fee. The grant program will be overseen by a 13-member board of directors as well as department administrative staff.

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

Deadline: April 2020

Accepts applications for recycling rebate monies in the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) Fund.

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.

Recycle Colorado is proud to announce the recipients of the 2019 Recycling Awards. Winners were nominated by their peers in recognition of their contributions to or promotion of recycling and waste reduction. This year’s awards highlight champions for recycling in rural Colorado, lawmakers dedicated to waste diversion, and businesses that exemplify waste reduction best practices.