CAA Colorado Adds 13 Recycling Facilities as EPR Program Expands

Circular Action Alliance Colorado (CAA Colorado) announced on October 22 that 13 additional recycling processing facilities have joined the state’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper. The participating facilities have a combined annual processing capacity of more than 200,000 tons of recyclables. In contrast, more than 400,000 Colorado households now have access to no-cost recycling at home through the producer-funded program.

The latest agreements include Apex Waste Solutions, the City of Thornton, Ranch Creek Waste and WM of Colorado. CAA Colorado has also previously announced agreements involving communities such as Cortez, Dolores and Oak Creek. Together, these agreements are helping build a statewide network of recycling collectors and processing facilities as the program moves from planning toward implementation.

Under the program, producers of packaging and paper products support recycling through a producer-funded system. CAA, a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), is responsible for implementing EPR programs in Colorado and other U.S. states. In Colorado, the program is intended to expand access to recycling services and establish a more consistent system across communities.

The expansion of processing capacity and household access represents progress in developing the infrastructure required to handle recyclable materials. However, service availability will not begin at the same time in every community. CAA Colorado said the timing depends on local conditions and service providers, and residents are advised to contact their local recycling provider for details.

For the recycling sector, Colorado’s program illustrates how EPR can connect producer funding with local collection services and processing infrastructure. Adding facilities expands the network available to the program, while wider household access can help bring more packaging and paper into collection systems. The long-term results will depend on continued implementation, local service coverage, and the system’s ability to collect and process materials effectively.

Source: CAA

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Colorado’s EPR program highlights the role of producer funding in expanding recycling infrastructure. The addition of 13 processing facilities and access to no-cost recycling for more than 400,000 households mark progress in building a statewide system for packaging and paper recovery. Continued coordination among producers, local governments, and recycling operators will be important to turning this expanded network into consistent recycling services.