Circular Action Alliance (CAA) announces that the鈥痯lan to implement鈥疌olorado鈥檚 House Bill 22-1355,鈥痶he Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling鈥疉ct,鈥痺as鈥痮fficially approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This approval marks a significant milestone in the state鈥檚 transition to a鈥�100%鈥痯roducer-funded, statewide system for recycling packaging and paper products. The鈥痜inal plan鈥痳eflects the leadership of CAA and the results of collaboration among producers of packaging and paper products, CDPHE, local governments, businesses, nonprofits, recyclers鈥痑nd communities across Colorado.鈥疶he program is projected to more than double the state鈥檚 recycling rate for packaging and paper by 2035.
鈥淭he approval of Colorado鈥檚 program plan marks another key milestone in the advancement of producer responsibility in the United States,鈥� said Jeff聽Fielkow, CEO of Circular Action Alliance. 鈥淟aunching two statewide programs within six months speaks to the strength of our model and the proven capability of our team and organization. We appreciate the partnership of CDPHE and the contributions from producers, local聽governments聽and community stakeholders. Together, we are building a more accountable, accessible recycling system that delivers measurable value and environmental outcomes for Colorado communities.鈥�
Following鈥痶he鈥痭eeds assessment, consultation鈥痚vents鈥痑ttended by thousands of interest-holders, more than 110 hours of public meetings with the Producer Responsibility Advisory Board, public comment and鈥痑 series of revisions, the final plan鈥痳epresents鈥疌AA鈥檚 pathway to鈥痗omplying with鈥痶he act. Through the final plan, CAA will:
- Fund 100% of the net costs of recycling services provided by聽participating聽local governments, recycling聽companies聽and non-profits
- Expand access to convenient recycling services for Colorado households, particularly those鈥痠n underserved areas
- More than double鈥疌olorado鈥檚鈥痳ecycling rate for packaging and paper by 2035
- Standardize a list of readily recyclable materials and鈥痙eliver consistent, statewide education
- Create an efficient and cost-effective recycling system鈥痶hat enhances Colorado鈥檚 circular economy
鈥淧roducers will鈥痯articipate鈥痠n鈥痑 harmonized, transparent system that streamlines compliance.鈥疌olorado鈥檚鈥痩ocal governments will see meaningful cost relief, and residents will gain more consistent, convenient recycling access,鈥� said鈥疛uri Freeman, Colorado Executive Director. 鈥淭ogether, we are advancing recycling access, strengthening Colorado鈥檚 recycling markets and building the foundation for a truly circular economy.鈥�
With the聽final聽plan approved, CAA鈥痬ust begin implementation within six months.鈥疉s part of that implementation,鈥痑ll鈥痩ocal governments鈥痠n Colorado, as well as聽material recovery facilities,聽can formally express interest in聽participating聽in the program by filling out an interest form and beginning the鈥痳equest for reimbursement, or RFR, process.鈥疘nitial forms are due Jan. 16, 2026.
Early in 2026, CAA鈥痺ill provide more information on participation and reimbursement for private鈥痑nd nonprofit鈥痓usinesses that provide subscription-based鈥痳ecycling collection services. Also in 2026, funding will become available鈥痜or鈥痗ompost facilities鈥痶o lower contamination management costs鈥痑nd improve processing and recovery of鈥痗ertified compostable packaging.