Building a Culture of Reuse in Colorado
Ever toss something out and wonder if there’s a better way? Across Colorado, more people are rethinking what it means to “waste” something—and discovering that reuse is one of the most powerful acts of conservation we can make. Join Eco-Cycle’s Colorado Reuse Leaders Network and become part of the revolution!
From refillable takeout containers to reclaimed building materials, communities across the state are rethinking waste—and proving that the most sustainable product is the one that’s used again and again.
To organize and accelerate the transition away from single-use systems in Colorado, Eco-Cycle created the Colorado Reuse Leaders Network, an initiative that connects municipalities, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who are leading the charge toward a circular, waste-free future.
A Network Built for Collaboration and Action
The Colorado Reuse Leaders Network is a catalyst for systems change. The group convenes regularly online to learn from local and national experts, share challenges and best practices, and explore new policies that can advance reuse and refill as a new norm rather than an exception.
Members represent the full spectrum of Colorado’s reuse industry, from city staff implementing local ordinances to entrepreneurs and advocates pioneering reusable foodware and packaging systems. Together, we’re advancing practical solutions that reduce waste, save resources, and build resilient local economies.
Turning Collaboration into Impact
When Colorado’s new Producer Responsibility for Recycling law was being developed, Colorado Reuse Leaders made our voices heard. The coalition submitted a public comment letter urging the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Circular Action Alliance to strengthen reuse, refill, and waste-reduction systems in the program’s implementation plan.
The letter—signed by 15 municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses—had a clear impact, with many of its recommendations being incorporated into the draft plan proposal. The success underscored the power of collective advocacy and showed that waste reduction systems can be accelerated through policy.
Learning from Leaders in Reuse
Since its launch in 2024, the Colorado Reuse Leaders Network has hosted a dynamic lineup of speakers and discussions that span the local, national, and even international reuse landscape.
Highlights include:
- Rachel Setzke and Ryan Call of Eco-Cycle: Colorado Reuse Leaders Kick-off meeting and overview of waste reduction and reuse laws in Colorado.
- Natalie Lana and Becky Goyton, of City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency: Denver’s “#SkipTheStuff” ordinance, plastic bag overview, and the “Reuse Denver” pilot project.
- Julia Heath of the City of Berkeley, California, and Miriam Gordon of Story of Stuff: Lessons from our nation’s first local “Dine in with Reuse” Ordinance.
- Emily Freeman of the City of Boulder: Municipal partnerships to advance reuse systems.
- Miriam Gordon of Story of Stuff: Lessons in policy advocacy and the economic case for switching to reuse.
- Kelley Dennings of The Center for Biological Diversity: The role of state and federal food codes in reusable food service ware.
- Jodi Tomchyshyn and Rachel Zerowin of Circular Action Alliance: A conversation on advancing reuse, refill, and waste-reduction systems through Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program.
- Sydney Harris of Upstream: Recommendations to improve the reuse and refill sections of Circular Action Alliance’s Producer Responsibility Plan Proposal.
- Carla Bitz of the Town of Banff, Alberta, Canada: Lessons from Banff’s innovative municipally led reuse programs.
- Becky Goyton of the City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency and Amber Barbella of Diversion Designers: Lessons learned from Denver’s “Dine in with Reuse” pilot program
To request meeting recordings and notes, please email Ryan Call at [email protected].
Resources for Reuse
The network also shares resources to help Colorado communities take the next step:
- Circular Action Alliance’s Colorado Amended Program Plan (see Chapter 11: Reuse & Refill)
- Eco-Cycle’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Act Resource Hub
- Eco-Cycle’s Guide to Sustainable Serviceware
- Denver’s Reuse Business Directory
- Nonprofit advocates like Upstream and Story of Stuff
Join Colorado’s Reuse Revolution
Every reused item is a story of conservation—of materials kept in use and communities working together. By joining the Colorado Reuse Leaders Network, you’ll connect with others who are turning those stories into a statewide movement. Help shape Colorado’s circular future. Sign up today!
