Annual Meeting

October 13, 2021 - Sign Up

The strength of the recycling industry grows from the grassroots up, from volunteers and entrepreneurs to the communities and industries that build out our infrastructure. Recycle Colorado is proud to celebrate this year’s 2021 Recycling Award recipients, who are recognized for their ability to adapt during a challenging year and also for keeping on as they always have, with diligence, creativity and perseverance.

Do you want to take a leadership role?

Policy Committee Call for Nominations: Respond by July 2

Students, from all elevations of Colorado, competed for just three conference scholarships awarded by Recycle Colorado this year. The recipients are from the University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado Denver, and Western Colorado University. At the virtual Summit for Recycling conference, students will learn about career opportunities in the recycling, materials management and sustainability fields, while connecting with private businesses, local government, nonprofits, and university representatives.

Let's flip the script from telling the same old story about our waste woes to instead shining a brighter light on our recycling accomplishments. The history of how the recycling industry got here is always important to understand, but the solutions and immense progress often get ignored. “The scientific and engineering advancements that the recycling and composting industries have achieved are phenomenal, with more on the horizon,” said Kristin Kim, executive director of Recycle Colorado. “Our collaborative problem solving is something that we can all take pride in on a community and government level.”

Students’ commitment to recycling is alive and well, as shown by their creative and informative artwork. Today, Recycle Colorado announced the winners of its 14th annual poster contest. Every year, students in kindergarten through 12th grade take up their pencils, markers and computers to showcase their artistic talent and recycling know-how.

Each year Recycle Colorado seeks nominations for our annual Recycling Awards. These prestigious awards recognize governmental entities, individuals, companies, organization and media for their excellence in recycling or promotion of recycling.

Learn more about a career in sustainable materials management

Recycle Colorado is seeking candidates for its Conference Scholarship Program. The scholarship provides funds for college students to attend the 2021 Summit for Recycling virtual conference.

There’s no watercooler or coffee shop talk, so virtual networking (#vNetworking) is what’s on trend! Leading the way is Recycle Colorado with the launch of our inaugural membership appreciation event, which embodied the organization’s quick pivot to the virtual world and use of affordable platforms.

What happens to the things I recycle?

All of Colorado’s K-12 students are invited to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to recycling by participating in Recycle Colorado’s 14th Annual Recycling Poster Contest.

In Their Own Words

Special Guest: Sarah B. Jones, Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp.

Give your support to recycling this season

Congratulations to the following candidates who were elected to the Recycle Colorado Board of Directors for a three-year term.

Recycling is the easiest thing we can all do to improve our community, conserve natural resources, and create jobs. This month, help celebrate by taking part in one of the following activities. Together we can make recycling bigger and better 365 days a year.

In Their Own Words

Special Guest
Laura Levesque, Recycle Colorado

In November, eligible Recycle Colorado members will elect five (5) candidates to serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term (2021-2023, ending December 2023). Recycle Colorado members will receive an email in October with more information about the election. The Nominating Committee is confident that the presented candidates have the time, ability and inclination to serve on the Board of Directors. Questions about the slate of candidates or the selection process can be directed to Tim Dailey, Board President.

After several years of global market challenges for recyclable commodities, such as China’s limits on importing recyclables, state legislators, with support from Recycle Colorado, took several tangible steps toward creating local markets to boost our local economies. The Front Range Waste Diversion program was created in 2019 and provides grants and technical assistance to Front Range communities to increase recycling, composting, and waste reduction. This year the legislature passed a bill to identify a structure and governing guidance for a Recycling End Market Development Center to support the development and expansion of end-market businesses in Colorado. Both of these programs enhance the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity program, a cornerstone grant program championed by Recycle Colorado in 2007.

Solid leadership is of the utmost importance in times of change. Recycle Colorado is proud to celebrate a diverse group of recycling stewards. Join us in acknowledging the 2020 Recycling Awards recipients. This year’s annual awards highlight the achievements of individuals, the dedication of schools and teachers to instill recycling habits, the commitment of lawmakers to increase waste diversion, and more.

Students, from all corners of Colorado, competed for just three conference scholarships awarded by Recycle Colorado this year, and the recipients were all from Colorado State University -- an impressive achievement for CSU and its academics. At the virtual Summit for Recycling conference, students will learn about career opportunities in the recycling, materials management and sustainability fields, while connecting with private businesses, local government, nonprofits, and university representatives.

We all know that recycling and composting in Colorado has been lagging behind the national average. Our state waste diversion goals are coming up quickly, with the first benchmark in 2021 of 32% for the Front Range and 28% statewide. Increasing organics recycling through composting is critical to reaching our goals.