What is the role of local government under producer responsibility?
Currently cities, towns and counties across Colorado have very different levels of involvement with recycling programs. This policy provides flexibility for local governments to decide if and how to engage in recycling programs, and does not impose ANY recycling requirements on local governments. This program is a funding source for recycling collection; it will not fund, manage or otherwise interact with trash collection or recycling of other materials such as hazardous waste, electronics, or any non-packaging materials.
Here are several examples of how cities, town, and counties can choose to be involved in Producer Responsibility:
Municipally provided recycling collection
Cities and towns that run their own trucks can choose to continue to run their own recycling trucks and be reimbursed for 100% of the eligible net service costs of provided recycling services as required by the legislation. Government jurisdictions that elect to participate in the program will no longer charge consumers for recycling services that are being provided on behalf of the PRO.
Municipal recycling contract with private hauler
Municipalities can continue to contract directly with haulers for trash, recycling or composting collection for residents. The Producer Responsibility Organization will reimburse 100% of the eligible net service costs of provided recycling services, as required by the legislation. Government jurisdictions that elect to participate in the program will no longer charge consumers for recycling services that are being provided on behalf of the PRO.
Open market recycling
The PRO cannot require households to sign up for service with a preferred collector, nor can it require any collector to provide recycling services to their customers. However, collectors that choose to participate in the program will be reimbursed for 100% of the eligible net service costs of provided recycling services as required by the legislation. Colorado’s waste service providers that elect to participate in the program will no longer charge consumers for recycling services that are being provided on behalf of the PRO.
Communities lacking recycling infrastructure
During the first year of Program implementation, the PRO will seek to identify potential service gaps in collection, post-collection, and end market development. The organization will collect data and then establish a detailed policy and evaluation process for grants. Based on the resulting gaps, the PRO may begin addressing these gaps through the System Development Fund on an annual basis after the program’s first year. See the ways to get involved to prepare your community for this new program.
Provide recycling education
The Producer Responsibility program will develop a statewide education program to improve recycling and is required to work with existing recycling education programs in the state. Cities, towns, and counties can choose whether or not to continue to provide education services.