How to Prepare for the New Recycling System
By taking steps now, Colorado communities can ensure their residents benefit most quickly from producer responsibility funding rather than leaving residents to wait for full implementation, and they can help ensure the program is most successful at diverting material away from landfills and back into the supply chain. Communities that already have recycling programs and data will be reimbursed more quickly than those that rely on the PRO to implement recycling programs.
Here are several ways your community can prepare for the new Extended Producer Responsibility programs:
Keep community members informed
Educating residents and elected officials about producer responsibility is a great way to ensure long-term support and understanding for upcoming community programs, and there are plenty of tools available to help you develop effective outreach.
Thank legislators
Send a thank you to your legislator for investing in better recycling in Colorado.
Gather data
Gather data about local recycling and identify local needs/goals to share with the PRO as they develop their plan. Provide input to the rollout of the policy by signing up for updates from the state, and/or scroll down and fill out the form at the bottom of this page to be notified of opportunities to participate in stakeholder meetings.
Implement policies and programs to improve recycling
Examples:
Implement a universal hauling contract with bundled trash and recycling
Require volume-based pricing (Pay as You Throw – PAYT) to incentivize recycling by charging residents based on the size of their trash bin
Identify a site for multi-stream drop-off center (for populations without curbside trash/recycling or for municipal hubs in rural areas)
Require hauler licensing and reporting in order to understand the material flows in your area and plan for the best ways to serve your community
Update ordinances and building codes to require storage space for recycling containers at new and remodeled multifamily and commercial buildings.
Resources
There are several resources at the state and local levels to help implement these supporting policies:
To get involved in Colorado Municipal League (CML), click here or contact Meghan MacKillop, legislative and policy advocate, at mmackillop@cml.org
Participate in Stakeholder Meetings
Fill out the form below to let Recycle Colorado know you’d like to participate in upcoming stakeholder meetings. A member of Recycle Colorado will contact you with information on how and when to participate.
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