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Lafayette sustainability director outlines 2026 work plan and Colorado's EPR impacts
Summary
The sustainability director updated council on 2026 accomplishments (tree pilot, bike racks, outreach) and explained how Colorado's extended producer responsibility (EPR) law will affect Lafayette's recycling contracts, reimbursement opportunities, and potential for electric collection vehicles; councilors asked detailed questions about costs, materials covered and outreach.
The Lafayette sustainability director briefed the City Council on departmental progress and on implications of Colorado's extended producer responsibility (EPR) program at the June 16 meeting, highlighting both recent local projects and near-term operational choices tied to statewide EPR implementation.
The director described year-to-date achievements including distribution of 80 trees and 30 shrubs through the Growing Shade pilot, installation of bike racks at Starkey, and Earth Month events that engaged more than 3,000 people and collected more than 28,000 pounds of hard-to-recycle materials. The department also launched an urban tree canopy inventory and plans downtown bicycle infrastructure improvements including a secured bike corral.
On the extended producer responsibility law, the director said the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will provide regulatory oversight and that the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) will administer producer fees and reimbursements. EPR covers packaging and paper (including glass and metal packaging), the director said, and municipalities may be eligible for reimbursements for collection services, outreach, and education. Reimbursement opportunities for residential and multifamily sectors are anticipated in 2026, with commercial reimbursements tentatively expected in 2028.
"The goal is to improve recycling access and recycling systems, increase recycling rates, reduce contamination, and create a sustainable funding model," the director said. Staff also noted Lafayette's current contract with Republic Services runs through Dec. 31, 2029, with three optional one-year extensions; that contract will require amendments to accommodate EPR.
Councilors asked about which materials are covered, how fees are calculated, how much Lafayette might receive in reimbursements, and whether reimbursements could buy electric collection trucks. The director said details on per-household reimbursement are still being worked out with Republic Services and the CAA; staff has submitted two applications (collection services; outreach/education) and will return later this summer with reimbursement agreements for council consideration.
On outreach, staff proposed more pictorial curbside guidance, an annual postcard, and leveraging statewide education campaigns to build public trust that "recycling actually gets recycled." The director said Lafayette is coordinating with county and regional partners and evaluating grant opportunities to add electric vehicles and expand programs targeted to disproportionately impacted neighborhoods.
Next steps: staff will continue coordination with Republic Services and the Circular Action Alliance, evaluate reimbursement agreements to bring back to council, and roll out additional engagement and data-driven education based on waste characterization results.
