With a current recycling rate of about 16%, Colorado is one of the lowest states in the USA. Since the introduction of the EPR policy, which stands for Extended Producer Responsibility, Colorado has made progress in the recycling initiative. Recently, Colorado administered recycling programs, infrastructure, and recycling capacity to find solutions to improve its recycling rate. To achieve the top goal of reducing plastic packaging waste, the whole state should expand the range and pay more effort in recycling.



Plastic packaging, including food and beverage packaging, Styrofoam packaging, and other consumer goods packaging, is widely used everywhere. Styrofoam is not biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Data shows that Styrofoam waste takes up about 30% of space in landfills globally, leaving permanent damage to the environment. Styrofoam is lightweight and easily carried by the wind, causing it to scatter and litter the environment. Styrofoam debris may pile up in natural habitats, waterways, and urban areas, urging EPR.



Eco-cycle calculated that Colorado recycled a total of 530,000 tons of packaging waste in 2021, including Styrofoam waste. Styrofoam recycling now can be achieved in several ways. The most common method is mechanical recycling. Normally, recycling sites will place Styrofoam recycling machines to deal with Styrofoam waste that is diverted from landfills. A Styrofoam compactor or densifier often works by crushing and compressing Styrofoam waste into blocks. Styrofoam blocks can be turned into new products, achieving a circular economy. In Colorado, Multiple businesses from food and beverage, and consumer goods industries including Coca-Cola and L’Oréal offer data about plastic recycling.



Reducing unnecessary plastic packaging waste is the common goal of recycling jobs. By means of increasing access to recycling and spreading the value of recycling, the implementation of the EPR law can effectively divert more Styrofoam waste from landfills and further achieve the circular economy. INTCO Recycling is also striving to achieve this goal and has achieved many results in Styrofoam recycling. By sticking to the recycling cause, we believe a sustainable future is waiting for us.