How to make a dent in Colorado’s trashy recycling rates

A lot of Coloradans love the idea of recycling. But our recycling habits are in the dumps. In 2020, the rate of recycling statewide was just 15 percent — less than half the rate nationwide. That’s according to a report from the Colorado Public Interest Research Group and Eco-Cycle. Perhaps that's because the actual practice of it can be confusing. It seems like the rules are often changing – and let’s not forget that recycling is expensive, both for residents and municipalities. Ahead of America Recycles Day on Wednesday, we're doing a little recycling of our own, revisiting our conversation with Mark Snedecor, director of recycling services for Waste Management (WM) of Colorado. He shares some of the big recycling blunders we're making, and why you don't have to worry too much about those little numbers within the “chasing arrows” recycling symbol. The Boulder County Recycling Center is marking America Recycles Day this Wednesday evening with a "Reduce & Reuse" showcase, self-guided tours, and more. NOTE: This is an encore of our podcast from Oct. 3, 2023. We'll be back in your feed with a brand-new episode on Wednesday!