It’s Kuhl To Recycle: Denver’s Recycling Dreams
Steps In The Right Direction, But Much Work Still Ahead
By Mark Kuhl
For the GPHN
Earlier this year Denver updated its sustainable resource management plan, which targets doubling household waste diversion to 50 percent by 2027, and bumping that up to 70 percent by 2032.
The plan is comprehensive and is worth a read as it addresses programs already underway like the “Bring Your Own Bag” program, which implemented a 10-cent fee for plastic and paper bags provided in retail establishments. In addition, last month the city council approved a “Pay As You Throw” fee which will levy a new charge for trash to cover free recycling and composting for Denver households. The plan leans heavily on education and engagement and promises to fund such efforts. One important point is that the plan now targets not just household solid waste, which amounts to only 18 percent of waste generated in our city. Construction, industrial, and commercial waste make up the rest – a whopping 82 percent of Denver’s trash!
They aim to address this with a Universal Waste Reduction ordinance which will establish diversion requirements for these waste producers. This is a huge step in the right direction but no timelines have been established — only a commitment to pass a new ordinance. Knowing now that our workplaces, factories, and job sites generate such a huge amount of waste maybe we, the employees of some of these establishments, could get creative in helping our employers reduce, reuse, rethink, and recycle.
Update: Last month we reported on places to recycle old paint. The Sherwin Williams store at 5225 Leetsdale Dr. no longer accepts old paint. Check out paintcare.org for other close-by locations to drop off your old leftover paint.
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/.