Councils

Recycle Colorado councils develop projects and action groups that advance infrastructure, end markets and state and local policies in waste reduction, recovery and diversion. Regional councils focus on a specific region in Colorado while subject matter councils bring together people interested in specific focus areas of waste reduction, diversion and recovery across the state or in certain industries or sectors.

Regional Councils

Regional councils serve a specific geographic region in the state and exist to provide access to Recycle Colorado programs and support to areas outside of the greater Denver area. Regional councils represent a variety of stakeholders and work locally to advance infrastructure, end markets and policies in their region that promote waste recovery, reduction and diversion.

Regional councils host quarterly meetings that focus on bringing information and education to members and/or updating council members on the current council action project if there is one. Participation on regional councils is for current Recycle Colorado members. Each member is allowed to bring a guest one time for the purpose of exploring the work of the council.

Colorado Springs

The Colorado Springs Council serves El Paso County and surrounding areas. This council is working to educate local businesses on the importance of recycling and the financial benefits associated with separating materials such as cardboard from their waste stream. The council is currently planning four educational and action-oriented round tables for 2019. Please check the Recycle Colorado calendar of events for more information. More information (PDF)

Northern Colorado

The Northern Colorado Council serves Fort Collins, Larimer County and surrounding areas. The cCouncil spent the last year providing recycling education to residents of northern Colorado through social media. In August the council agreed to a new 12-month project that will encourage businesses to recycle. The action group will develop a business outreach campaign including “opportunity cards,” presentations/trainings, guidelines and recognition opportunities to support business recycling endeavors. More information (PDF)

Western Slope

The Western Slope Council serves multiple counties including Mesa, Delta, Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Pitkin and Gunnison (at this time). This council is working on a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the importance of recycling and composting to preserve a clean, green Western Slope. A component of this project is the creation of a centralized database (app and website) for the Western Slope that provides information on which materials can be recycled or composted and where to take them.

If you are interested in participating in one of these councils, please contact Programs Director Laura Levesque.

Subject-Matter Councils

Subject-matter councils are formed specifically to focus on advancing infrastructure, end markets and policy for a specific material, industry or subject matter. The council brings together stakeholders that have a vested interest in this specific issue. Councils meet at least quarterly for information updates and/or to work on a current action project.

Composting Council

The Composting Council is Recycle Colorado’s most tenured council. This council works to grow market-driven compost infrastructure and or capacity, create and drive end markets requiring standards for use and drive local and state policies requiring the use of organic recovery and compost. The compost council has developed a strategic plan and is working diligently on multiple projects. This council is also associated with the U.S. Composting Council.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) Council

The C&D Council promotes the increase of end markets for C&D material in Colorado. In 2019, the council prioritized C&D materials by economic value and researched end markets for the five most valuable materials with no end markets in Colorado. Read the final report (PDF)

In partnership with GE Johnson, the council also supports the Colorado Contractor’s Challenge to increase voluntary recycling by licensed general contractors. More information (PDF)

In 2020, the council will explore C&D material tracking/diversion resources for construction. The action team will identify specific recycling platforms that exist to help builders and deconstruction companies divert recyclable materials, track waste diversion and equate the efforts in waste diversion to reduction in GHG emissions, or similar metrics. The group is also interested in learning whether or not digitizing C&D material management increases transparency and promotes incentives for better waste diversion.

If you would like to be involved or have information to share, contact Laura Levesque.