Clean Valley Recycling has been awarded a $51,454 grant in recognition of plans to expand its recycling program. The funding is part of the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity (RREO) competitive grant program, which is administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Colorado has made strides when it comes to diverting trash from landfills by reducing, reusing and recycling waste, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.
According to CDPHE, in 2007 the state diverted only about 7 percent of the nearly 10 million tons of household and commercial trash generated that year. Eleven years later, those numbers have improved as 17 percent of roughly 7 million tons of waste was diverted from landfills in 2018. Yet Colorado still lags well behind the national average of 35 percent for waste diversion.
The RREO grant program gives for-profit, nonprofit, and local entities the infusion of funds they need to expand access to recycling and help Colorado surpass the national average. However, grantees must demonstrate more than a plan for better managing waste. Each must also show how it will help build local economies and create permanent jobs for Coloradans who are ready to get to work.
Clean Valley Recycling is building on more than $17.3 million in RREO grant funds that have gone to making a positive impact on the quality of life in towns, cities and regions across Colorado. “The funds we receive through our RREO grant will help us expand and improve our recycling programs,” says Deanna Hostetler. “As an RREO grant recipient, Clean Valley Recycling will receive help in purchasing a new truck (the old truck has frequent mechanical issues) as well as bins for cardboard recycling and bags for curbside recycling. These purchases will help CVR continue to provide convenient and comprehensive recycling services at affordable prices. Last year CVR recycled 642 tons of materials and hopes to increase this by 10% over the next year.”