Statewide producer-responsibility program could fund free curbside recycling for Colorado Springs residents

The Circular Economy Development Center and two statewide partners told City Council members on Sept. 22 that Colorado—s Extended Producer Responsibility program — created by House Bill 22-1355 — will shift financial and operational responsibility for end-of-life paper and packaging from taxpayers to the companies that put those products into the market.

In practical terms, the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) and Colorado Circular Communities (C3) representatives said producers will pay annual dues into a producer-led organization; those funds will fully finance collection, sorting and processing of covered materials and will be distributed to participating haulers, drop-off sites, processors and education programs. City staff confirmed the state program and the city—s recent waste-characterization study create new opportunities for local action.

Why it matters: City officials and presenters said the program could remove the per-household recycling line item many residents pay now and expand access where curbside collection is provided by private haulers. For an open-market city like Colorado Springs, presenters said the main pathway…