I_ZeroWaste_2019A 08/14/2019 09:09:47 AM Committee Summary

The committee came to order and an agenda was distributed (Attachment A).

Mr. Hutchings responded to questions from the committee about radioactive waste, recycling grades of plastic, and recycling asphalt shingles into road materials.  

Brian Henesey, Vice President of Rocky Mountain Recycling, Inc., presented on the work of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) and provided two handouts to the committee (Attachments C and D).  This presentation focused on the difference between the terms solid waste and recycling and how these definitions impact laws and regulations.  Mr. Henesey also presented on the contamination of recyclable materials.  

Mr. Henesey responded to questions from the committee about metal recycling materials and their origins, recycling tires, ISRI education materials, the reality of zero waste, and hedging and commodities.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Rachel Wilson-Roussel, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), introduced the panel to the committee and gave a background on the Colorado NextCycle Program.

Juri Freeman, representing Colorado NextCycle, presented on this grant program within CDPHE that focuses on developing end markets for recyclables in Colorado and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment E).  Mr. Freeman presented on how the NextCycle program grants money, collects data, and provides business expertise to selected organizations.

Mr. Freeman responded to questions from the committee about geographical locations of NextCycle grantees and the amount of money funded to the selected organizations.  

Adin Alai, representing 9Fiber, presented via phone conference about the work of his organization through the NextCycle program.  Mr. Alai stated that 9Fiber is an organization that turns hemp agricultural waste into reusable fibers to produce textiles, nanotechnology parts, and paper products.

Mr. Alai responded to questions from the committee about outdoor marijuana growing in Pueblo county, hemp and marijuana waste composting, and whether 9Fiber's process can be used in other agricultural technology sectors.

Adam Hill, representing Direct Polymers, presented on the work of his organization through the NextCycle Program.  Mr. Hill stated that Direct Polymers is a Colorado-based plastic processing company that buys and sells plastics.  Mr. Hill described the difficulties of selling post-consumer used plastics versus post-industrial plastics and how Direct Polymers is working with the state to get plastic processing capabilities into Colorado.  

Mr. Hill responded to questions from the committee about plastics blending, rural issues with recycling processes, energy usage of Direct Polymers, and how Direct Polymers is moving towards focusing on consumer plastics.

Ms. Wilson-Roussel discussed how Colorado purchases goods through the NextCycle program and how the state can encourage environmental purchasing through the procurement process.

Mr. Freeman responded to questions from the committee about single-hauler ballot initiatives and waste management monopolies.

Chantal Fryer, representing the South Carolina Department of Commerce, presented via phone conference on South Carolina's recycling program using a PowerPoint presentation (Attachment F).  This presentation focused on how South Carolina stimulates the demand for recyclable materials and recycle content products in the state.  Ms. Fryer also presented on the organizations that the state has invested in and how many jobs and how much revenue has been created to date.

Kate Bailey, representing EcoCycle, presented on recycling end-market best practices using a PowerPoint presentation and provided a handout to the committee (Attachments G and H).  Ms. Bailey gave a background on recycling development in the United States, described how states have found success promoting recycling businesses, and how recycling rates can be improved in Colorado.

John Lair, representing Momentum Recycling, presented on the work of his organization to the committee using a PowerPoint presentation (Attachment I).  Mr. Lair stated that Momentum Recycling focuses on glass recycling and described the benefits of glass recycling versus using virgin materials.  Mr. Lair also stated the difficulties his business is facing due to low recycling rates and possibilities of how to improve glass recycling rates in the state.  

Mr. Lair responded to questions about the University of Colorado Boulder Zero Waste program.