Colorado Sets Ambitious Targets to Boost Low Recycling Rates

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has announced ambitious goals as part of its efforts to boost recycling rate across the state. Currently the state lags behind other US states in terms of recycling with significantly low recycling and composting rate.

According to a recent report published by Eco-Cycle in collaboration with the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), the state recycles only 12% of its waste, much lower than the national average of 34%. The report identified shortage of convenient recycling services and lack of financial incentives by government authorities as the two principal reasons for the state’s low recycling rate.

The state has recently adopted its first statewide recycling goals. It aims to surpass the current national recycling rate of 34% by 2026. Also, Colorado targets to achieve 45% recycling rate by 2035. The new goals are likely to create hundreds of recycling jobs, provide big boost to local economies and reduce climate pollution in a big way.

One of the key recommendations is to ensure better data collection strategies. Currently, many of the Colorado cities and counties do not measure their recycling rates. As per reports, only Aspen, Boulder, Fort Collins and Lyons are found to track their full recycling and trash data. Better data collection is the key to take recycling forward in the state.

The expansion of curbside residential recycling services to more number of rural communities may lead to increased recycling rates. Currently, only 15 Colorado cities provide households with recycling carts. Surprisingly, residents in 25 Colorado counties don’t even have access to curbside recycling. The state must ensure that curbside recycling collection services are offered to every resident on the Front Range and residents of the larger mountain and rural towns.

Residents of Colorado apartments and condos currently lack access to recycling services. Estimates indicate that businesses account for nearly 40-60% of the average municipal waste stream. Hence, recycling must be expanded to apartments and businesses.

The state needs to expand volume-based pricing in place of fixed charges, by creating the right financial incentives to recycle and compost more. In addition, Colorado needs to commit more investment in composting infrastructure and opening more number of convenient drop-off locations across the state.