"Over the past few years, Eco-Cycle has increasingly received more and more questions asking if the plastics collected in Boulder County are actually recycled, largely in response to national news stories on the challenges of plastics recycling. We appreciate these questions because plastics recycling is complicated and has legitimate challenges. We want to be fully transparent with you, our recyclers, and fellow community members, about what happens to your plastics, when plastics recycling can work, and why plastics recycling isn’t enough to solve our plastics problem."

From CDPHE Communications Department:

The 15th Annual Recycle Colorado Poster Contest kicked off in April this year and was a huge success! This years theme was "The Journey of Recycling" which asked students to help us "paint the picture" of how our recyclables can become new products. We received over 100 poster submissions from students all across the state. It was amazing to see such a diverse range of mediums used in each piece of artwork. Some students went above and beyond and used recyclable materials to make their artwork, which aligned perfectly with this year's theme.

Longmont, CO, May 2, 2022 - Recycle Colorado is excited to announce the selection of a new Executive Director, Dr. Elizabeth O’Connell Chapman.  

The Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, S3743, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Sen. Carper of Delaware and Sen. Boozman of Arkansas, calling for data collection, infrastructure quantification, study of compost best practices, compost use markets and compostable packaging feedstocks, passed the Senate Environment, Public Works and Transportation Committee just this morning.

Producer Responsibility policy will provide recycling to all Colorado residents, reduce unnecessary packaging, and build more resilient domestic supply chains to ease supply chain disruptions for Colorado businesses. 

Simple changes can save residents money and reduce negative environmental impacts

Ending food loss and waste requires purposeful action. With approximately 40% of all food in the U.S. wasted, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is encouraging Denver residents to #SaveTheFood during Food Waste Prevention Week (April 4-8, 2022). Simple steps can help residents save money, reduce hunger in our communities, and protect our environment.

Read the Full Story Here

Foam Cycle Granted U.S. Patent for a Method and System of Recycling Polystyrene Waste

Foam Cycle, the first foam packaging recycling system designed to be placed at outdoor municipal recycling drop-off centers, was recently issued a Utility Patent. The patent outlines a “method and system of recycling polystyrene waste”. Foam packaging, also known as Styrofoam, is one of the most plentiful, yet least recycled plastics in existence today. With Foam Cycle's system, foam packaging can now be recycled! The first Foam Cycle system in Colorado was placed at SustainAbility in Arvada CO last year. Read More!

The results from the 2021 board election are in! We are happy to welcome 6 wonderful candidates onto our board for the 2022 year. Our current board members will be joined by Alicia Archibald, Tim Broderick (who will be serving one year in place of a departing member), Melissa Kirr, Neil Noble, Jennifer Richardson, and Jonathan Wachtel.

In November, eligible Recycle Colorado members will elect five (5) candidates to serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term (2022-2024, ending December 2024). 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.

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.