Longmont’s recycling and composting program is among the best in the state, according to a report that tracks recycling efforts in Colorado. The report also chastises many municipalities for not providing universal curbside recycling to all residents which leads to an overall “disappointing” record in statewide efforts.
Colorado Communities for Climate Action this week released its “State of Recycling and Composting in Colorado” report. The report details the “disappointing state of recycling in the state and outlines a new approach to reducing landfill waste and pollution,” according to the nonprofit group’s news release.
Colorado Communities for Climate Action calls for more cities and counties to adopt a Producer Responsibility policy for recycling. The group is a coalition for 40 counties, cities and towns across Colorado.
The move toward Producer Responsibility would ensure that “packaging materials will be safer, cleaner, and more recyclable and give every manufacturer a level playing field,” the news release states. A Producer Responsibility approach would also give many more people in Colorado easy access to recycling services, according to the news release.
Extended producer responsibility largely makes the manufacturer of the product responsible for its entire life cycle including the take back, recycling and final disposal of the product, according to ScienceDirect.
Clear Creek County Commissioner George Marlin, who also serves as the chair of Colorado Communities for Climate Action, said in the news releases that many manufacturers want to do the right thing by using less toxic, more recyclable materials but the current system punishes them for making the effort.
"A 'Producer Responsibility' policy would level the playing field and reward manufacturers for doing the right thing,” Marlin said. “This would mean less trash in our communities and more funding for local recycling programs.”
Longmont’s recycling and composting rate is 41% and behind only Loveland and Boulder respectively, according to the climate action report. The report states that municipalities with the best performing recycling programs guarantee that recycling is as convenient as trash services for all residents.
But in much of Colorado, there is not guaranteed access to recycling for residents, the report states. Most households have to opt-in and subscribe to curbside recycling services and often pay more for this additional service, the report states. “On average, only an estimated 30% of residents subscribe to curbside recycling under this type of program,” the report said.
Longmont increased its year-over-year recycling and composting rate by 6% due to growth in is curbside composting program, and to more recyclables being collected through both its curbside recycling program and the city’s drop-off center, Charles Kamenides, the city’s waste services manager, said in an email.
Recycling materials increased from 8,236 tons in 2019 to 8.976 tons last year, Kamenides said. Compost moved from 1,968 tons in 2019 to 2,460 tons in 2020, he added.
