A Turning Point for Colorado’s Recycling System
55% of Colorado households lack access to recycling.
Building a Better System
From rugged mountains to bustling cities, Colorado is known for its natural beauty. But protecting it requires a massive, collective effort. While Colorado has historically had one of the lowest recycling rates in the US1, the state is now leading a transformation. Through groundbreaking new legislation, Colorado is expanding recycling access, keeping plastic out of landfills, and proving that better systems are possible.
"Everybody pictures Colorado as this beautiful, mountainous forest. But ... there's the rest of us over here on the western slope, where we're very scattered and spread out. So transportation becomes a huge hurdle."Jennifer RichardsonDirector, solid waste and sustainability
A Cross-Sector Effort
Plastics are incredibly durable and useful, but without a proper plan to manage them, plastic waste can be a big problem. To fix this, Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law launched in 2026. It incentivizes businesses to use recycled content, shifting the financial burden away from local communities and making it easier for more families to help reduce plastic waste.
"If you don't protect the headwaters, you don't have a future. It's this business that we have, the lifeblood of it is water. It's really important that our laws match what the public sentiment is and the public sentiment is decidedly in favor of recycling."James EklundFifth generation rancher, norse sky ranch
Securing our Natural Resources
Solving the plastic paradox requires governments, businesses, and individuals working together. Colorado's new policy means it’s easier and less expensive for families across the state to recycle and build a lifetime of healthy habits. This is great news for Colorado—but the U.S. needs a more comprehensive solution to protect our land and water.
"One of the most alarming things I've seen, as far as plastic goes, is that it is everywhere. It's impossible to escape. The choice that we have to make is how do we change our laws so that we can reuse plastic, recycle it, or create alternatives?"Rush SturgesFilmmaker, Whitewater kayaker