Boulder staff outline push for reuse, plastics reduction as Colorado EPR approaches

At a meeting of the City of Boulder’s Environmental Advisory Board, Jamie Hargans, manager of the city’s Circular Economy team, outlined planned city work on reuse systems, plastics reduction and related incentives as Colorado’s new extended-producer-responsibility law approaches implementation.

The presentation explained why the city is prioritizing reuse alongside recycling: the state’s producer-responsibility law will place fees on product packaging and route funds through a producer responsibility organization (PRO) that begins operating in 2026, and Boulder staff want some of that money to support local reuse infrastructure and universal recycling. Hargans said the city will bring policy options to City Council later this year.

Hargans framed the city’s work inside a broader “circular economy” approach. “We have been working on 0 waste since 1994 here in Boulder,” she said, and staff have moved from diversion and recycling toward strategies that “keep products and materials in use” and treat “waste as a design flaw,” language drawn from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s principles.

City programs and incentives highlighted in the presentation include direct business incentives and event subsidies intended to accelerate reuse adoption. Hargans said the city offers a $2,000 incentive to Boulder businesses that adopt reusable takeout systems or install commercial dishwashers for durable serviceware, and it subsidizes reusable-cup systems for special events — subsidies capped at $5,000 per event. The city has funded private reuse startups, including the local service Repeater (later acquired by Deliver 0), and has partnered with companies such as Our Cup and Hiccup for events. Hargans told the board those partnerships, plus other measures, have helped the city avoid an estimated 11,000 single-use cups and containers over the last several years.

Hargans also described longer-term infrastructure and policy work. She recounted Colorado’s recent policy changes: a 2021 state law repealed earlier preemption that had prevented local plastics rules, and a newer statewide EPR packaging law will start in 2026. “This law actually kicks off next year, 2026,” Hargans said, and the fees will fund statewide universal recycling administered through the PRO. She said Boulder staff are working with other open-market cities to identify practical logistics for routing PRO funds to local haulers and to ensure the funding reduces — rather than increases — customer bills.

Staff reviewed barriers that have limited reuse systems so far: high upfront capital costs for container inventories and dishwashing infrastructure; the need for very high return rates (staff said 95%+ return is often cited as necessary for a viable reuse system); centralized wash hubs (the city’s current wash hub is in Denver); and logistical complexity for haulers and vendors. Hargans said those constraints make it difficult for private startups alone to scale reuse without public support.

The city also highlighted planned data and engagement work. Staff will run a first-ever “Boulder Plastic Count” in late June to gather household-level data on the plastics entering local homes and to use that information to guide later policy recommendations. The city is also developing business case studies with a consulting tool (Chartreuse) to model costs and returns for coffee shops and restaurants considering reusable systems.

Hargans emphasized that compostable disposables have become a weaker option: because current composting systems and regulations limit what can be accepted, staff are prioritizing reuse over compostable single-use items. On organics infrastructure and anaerobic digestion she said the technology and regulatory pathways remain under discussion; staff described digestion as “on the radar” but noted regulatory and market complexities.

The board discussion touched on special events and permitting. Staff noted the city’s universal zero-waste ordinance (adopted in 2016) already requires recycling at permitted special events, and council direction is expected this year to consider stronger reuse language and potential event and venue requirements.

Where this goes next: staff said they will collect data from the plastic count and business pilots, continue stakeholder engagement with haulers and vendors, and return to City Council later this year with options that could include incentives, permitting changes or local requirements tied to the city’s new ability to regulate plastics and packaging.