Creating Systemic Change Through Statewide Policy
Colorado recycles and composts only 16% of its waste—just half the national average of 32%. To significantly increase Colorado’s waste diversion, we need to change the system. We need to make recycling, composting, and other Zero Waste solutions more accessible and convenient to everyone in the state, regardless of which town they live in. The best way to achieve this is by adopting state policies that improve Zero Waste infrastructure, services, and programs, and help develop recycling end markets.
2024 Initiatives
Colorado’s 2024 legislative session is in full swing, which means Eco-Cycle is drafting and advocating for Zero Waste bills at the state legislature to continue to move forward in making Colorado a Zero Waste leader, not a laggard. Here is the legislation we’re working on this session:
Keeping Colorado Free of Waste Incineration Facilities (SB24-150)
Eco-Cycle and partners are championing Senate Bill 24-150. When introduced in the Colorado Senate, SB24-150 aimed to ban waste incineration and plastics-to-fuel projects from coming to the state, as these controversial plastic waste processing technologies (“chemical recycling,” “advanced recycling,” and “molecular recycling”) generate toxic air pollution, and are often located near disadvantaged low-income and BIPOC neighborhoods. Colorado currently has no waste incineration facilities, and the intent of SB24-150 was to keep it that way.
APRIL 8, 2024 UPDATE: The governor and some senators opposed the bill as drafted and removed the ban on pyrolysis (a specific energy-intensive plastics-conversion process). In the name of innovation, they wanted to allow these processes to come to Colorado, even though they have a dirty and polluting track record in other states.
As the bill moves to the Colorado House, Eco-Cycle is working with House sponsor Representative Meg Froelich to amend the bill to eliminate state funding and incentives for these types of projects.
- Read the fact sheet Say No to Subsidizing and Incentivizing Polluting Plastics-to-Fuel Facilities in Colorado
- Lea la hoja informativa Diga no a las instalaciones contaminantes de incineración de residuos para producir energía y de plástico a combustible en Colorado
- Sign up for legislative updates!
- Read the February 28, 2024, press release
Advancing Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Policy
In 2022, Eco-Cycle championed a historic Producer Responsibility policy that requires producers of packaging to fund recycling programs across the state. Eco-Cycle has worked with stakeholders on a statewide needs assessment that outlines how to bring curbside recycling services to over 700,000 Colorado households that do not currently have access. Eco-Cycle is advising the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) as the agency prepares to share findings from the needs assessment with the Joint Budget Committee. A green light this legislative session means we can move forward to implement a plan that will bring free recycling to all Coloradans in 2026!
Addressing the Problematic Disposal of Vapes
Eco-Cycle is advocating for House Bill 24-1069, a bill that would direct the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to study solutions for the safe disposal of single-use vapes. With their lithium-ion batteries and liquids, vapes are currently not recyclable and also pose significant fire risks to waste haulers and recycling facilities.
Right-to-Repair Legislation for Electronics
Eco-Cycle supports our partner, Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), on House Bill 24-1121 that would make repairing household electronics more accessible. This bill is a reflection of the growing challenge to restrictions imposed by manufacturers on repairing electronic devices. By advocating for the right to repair, we hope to not only reduce costs for consumers, but also to encourage repair and reuse through extending the useful lifespan of electronics.
Ensuring Tire Recycling Keeps on Rolling
Approximately 315 million tires are used up each year, with less than half of them recycled—most end up in landfills dedicated to used tires. Colorado is home to the largest tire landfills in the nation, which can erupt with unintentional fires. Eco-Cycle is supporting a bill (SB24-123) that includes a modest fee with every new tire purchase to help fund tire recycling solutions to turn tire waste into useful products, such as road materials.
Streamlining Zero Waste Funding by the State
For nearly two decades, state grants have been issued to schools, municipalities, recyclers, composters, and other businesses to help reduce waste and expand recycling and composting in Colorado. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), which oversees these grants, is proposing a bill (HB24-1449) that will combine the Front Range Waste Diversion (FRWD) program and the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) program into one, efficient statewide program. By combining these programs, municipalities would have more access and potential for support for Zero Waste programs.