Colorado becomes third state to approve ‘producer responsibility’ law to reduce packaging waste

Gina Goldenberg

Former Creative Associate, Editorial & Creative Team, The Public Interest Network

Colorado residents may soon see a reduction in single-use plastic packaging and an increase in recycling.

On June 3, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a measure that will require companies to pay for their products’ packaging and use the revenue to expand curbside recycling programs across the state. Eco-Cycle and CoPIRG have found that Colorado’s recycling rate has hovered at a mere 15% for years. The new law gives companies an incentive to produce less waste and make sure more of it is recycled.

“Too often, as consumers, we’re inundated by all the packaging — much of it unnecessary — that comes with our stuff,” said Danny Katz, CoPIRG’s executive director. “Producer responsibility will help cut down on the amount of unnecessary packaging that is flooding into our lives.”

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Photo: Producer responsibility encourages companies to use fewer single-use plastic items, which will keep them from polluting our natural spaces. Credit: Daizuoxin via Shutterstock

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Gina Goldenberg

Former Creative Associate, Editorial & Creative Team, The Public Interest Network