FREE RECYCLING for all Coloradans is coming soon!

In May 2022, Governor Jared Polis signed into law the Colorado Producer Responsibility for Recycling Act, HB22-1355, to provide free recycling access to all Coloradans starting in 2026. HB22-1355 requires companies that sell printed paper, cardboard, and metal, glass, and plastic packaging into the state to pay for a statewide recycling system that will make it easy for all Coloradans to recycle valuable materials back into the domestic supply chain to make new products. This new law will rapidly improve Colorado’s recycling rate and result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air and water, less waste sent to landfills, and stronger local economies.

 

How Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Benefits Local Governments

A statewide Producer Responsibility policy for containers, packaging, and paper will provide every Coloradan with convenient, easy access to recycling for common materials such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass bottles, cardboard, and printed paper. This will greatly benefit Colorado’s cities, towns, and counties by: 

  • Providing recycling to all residents at no cost to residents or local government.

  • Expanding recycling to underserved multi-family buildings and rural areas.

  • Saving local governments money by covering 100% of the cost of the recycling including collection, transportation and processing of materials.

  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution.

  • Retaining municipalities’ right to choose their level of involvement in recycling services.

  • Making recycling easier by creating a common list of materials that can be recycled throughout the state.

The Producer Responsibility program will pay for 100% of the costs for recycling containers, packaging and printed paper from households including the costs to collect, sort and transport materials to processors and markets. Local governments could save tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars on existing recycling programs and households that currently recycle will reduce their monthly bills significantly as well.  

Extended Producer Responsibility means savings for local governments

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