SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The legislature’s Jopint Budget Committee (JBC) approved a state health department recommendation to a program that will shift the cost of paying for Colorado’s recycling system to product manufacturers instead of taxpayers and households. The program is due to take effect in 2026.

The JBC gave approval for “midrange” price and scope for expansion after considering the proposals put forward by packaging producers.

The program will prevent large volumes of valuable materials from ending up in landfills. As a result, the recycling rate for packaging such as bottles, cans and boxes are expected to touch 60% by 2035. The producer responsibility will significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In addition, the program is expected to help millions of dollars to municipalities and residents.

Initially, the program will finalize a list of items that can or cannot be recycled. Also, it plans to introduce a detailed plan to set the fee that producers are required to pay for their packaging.

Meantime, certain trade groups as well as small businesses criticized the JBC approval, saying that concerns regarding rising costs have not been addressed. Also, they questioned the effectiveness of the program in raising waste diversion rates.