The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has approved a new Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling, which aims to provide free recycling access to all households in Colorado. The program will shift the financial responsibility for recycling from residents and local governments to companies that produce packaging materials. It will be funded and managed by industry participants, who are expected to have greater incentives to create more sustainable and reusable packaging.
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of CDPHE, stated, “This plan reflects the work of countless partners across the full recycling system – from the companies designing packaging to the facilities turning recycled materials into new products. By expanding convenient recycling access, encouraging smarter packaging, and strengthening in-state end markets, Colorado is building a system that works better for communities, businesses, and our environment.”
Tracie White, director of CDPHE’s Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division, said, “This program will provide a convenient, cost-effective, statewide recycling system – with free and equitable access for all Colorado residents.”
Currently, many people in Colorado—especially those living in multi-unit housing or rural areas—do not have easy access to recycling services. The newly approved plan is expected to extend no-cost recycling service to an estimated 700,000 additional households.
Under this initiative, Colorado’s recycling rate for paper and packaging is projected to increase significantly—from 25% today to 58% by 2035. The program also aims to standardize what can be recycled across the state and introduce educational tools designed to minimize confusion among residents.
Local governments are expected to benefit financially as they will no longer need to pay for providing recycling services; instead, Circular Action Alliance will reimburse them for all net costs associated with recycling.
Economically, the state anticipates $31 million in additional annual wages and around 7,900 new direct and indirect green jobs as a result of the expanded recycling infrastructure. These investments are intended to support a growing circular economy within Colorado.
Environmentally, projections indicate that by 2035 the program could help avoid 1.3 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year—the equivalent of removing approximately 278,000 cars from roads annually—and reduce landfill waste by about 410,000 tons per year.
The path toward this new system began after the General Assembly passed HB22-1355 in 2022. Since then CDPHE has worked alongside the Producer Responsibility Advisory Board and Circular Action Alliance on developing the program framework. A statewide assessment conducted in 2023 helped map out existing gaps in access and infrastructure. Stakeholder feedback collected throughout 2024 and 2025 informed the final version of the plan. With approval now secured, implementation efforts are set to move forward with goals of improving both recycling rates and environmental outcomes across Colorado.
