It’s Kuhl To Recycle: Getting Creative

Stumped On Funding Ideas? Check Out This Colorado Recycling Program

By Mark Kuhl

For the GPHN

Way back in 2007 the state legislature passed the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Act (RREO), with the goal of advancing recycling in Colorado.

With ~$4million derived annually from landfill tipping fees, this program grants funds to create or expand existing recycling programs for both public and private organizations.

Many grants support compost programs, for example at Colorado State University and in the town of Ophir. Ska Brewing in Durango secured $200,000 to increase composting of beer waste (spent grain, hops, and yeast). The waste is sent to the Table-to-Farm compost facility, which also secured a grant to offer compost pickup service to Durango subscribers.

Many recycling drop offs are funded by RREO grants, including those in Custer, Kiowa and Yuma counties. Evergreen High School students secured a grant for a plastics recycling program in which they generate 3D printer filament from recycled plastic.

Keep this program in mind when you’re stumped on how to fund a good recycling idea for your community, workplace or school.

Mark Kuhl is an environmental advocate who lives in Park Hill with his family. His handy tips and news about recycling household items appear every month in these pages. A directory of his past columns for recycling everything from paint to Styrofoam to shoes is at greaterparkhill.org/sustainability/recycling-directory/.