{"id":24812,"date":"2025-06-20T15:20:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T15:20:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/?p=24812"},"modified":"2025-06-20T15:22:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T15:22:52","slug":"june-2025-policy-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecocycle.org\/june-2025-policy-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Legislation in 2025 That Will Move the State Closer to Zero Waste"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Eco-Cycle recently wrapped up another successful legislative session, successfully advocating for bills that move Colorado toward Zero Waste. Whether supporting forward-thinking bills or opposing harmful ones, our work with state representatives helps advance policy solutions that support our vision of a world where we consume less, recycle and compost more, and keep fossil fuels and other natural resources in the ground. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eco-Cycle’s success at the Capitol depends on strong partnerships\u2014with elected leaders, community groups, and  engaged people like you, including our network of volunteer Eco-Leaders!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a look at the key Zero Waste bills Eco-Cycle took action on during the 2025 legislative session, and why they matter: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huge first step for battery recycling in Colorado!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Signed by the governor!<\/em><\/strong> Senate Bill 25-163: Battery Stewardship Programs<\/a>. Batteries contain valuable minerals that should be recovered to conserve energy, protect natural resources, and strengthen our economy. Yet, Colorado currently recycles just 5% of loose small- and medium-format batteries. Additionally, improperly disposed batteries are a leading cause of fires in waste and recycling facilities. Despite the environmental importance of recovering these materials\u2014and the serious safety risks posed by improper disposal\u2014many Coloradans still lack convenient access to safe, responsible battery recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eco-Cycle and a coalition of partners championed Senate Bill 25-163 to make battery recycling accessible to all Coloradans. By 2028<\/strong>, companies that sell small- and medium-format removable batteries in Colorado\u2014including button batteries, AAA through D cells, power tools, and e-bike batteries\u2014will be required to fund and implement a statewide collection and recycling program. The system will be managed by a producer-run Battery Stewardship Organization (BSO) and overseen by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The BSO will reimburse service providers to safely collect, transport, and recycle batteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting food donation\u2014a valuable step toward food security and diverting organics from landfills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Signed by the governor!<\/em><\/strong> House Bill 25-1166: Efforts to Reduce Food Waste<\/a> aligns Colorado\u2019s date labeling practices with California\u2019s 2024 law to encourage food donation and reduce wasted food. Eco-Cycle supported this bill in partnership with food rescue organizations. It requires prepared foods\u2014like those from deli counters\u2014to use \u201cbest if used or frozen by\u201d labels instead of \u201csell by,\u201d reducing confusion about when food should be consumed or donated. The bill also expands Good Samaritan liability protections to more organizations, encouraging safe food donation. This is a meaningful step toward addressing food insecurity and keeping edible food out of landfills, where it would otherwise generate methane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tax code update will incentivize agricultural compost usage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Signed by the governor!<\/em><\/strong> Senate Bill 25-026: Adjusting Certain Tax Expenditures<\/a>. This law extends a sales tax exemption for the purchase of wholesale \u201cagricultural compounds\u201d to include compost and mulch rather than only synthetic fertilizers. Making wholesale purchases of compost and mulch tax-exempt could save agricultural users significant money. It can also incentivize the use of compost, which helps rebuild soil health\u2014unlike synthetic fertilizers. SB25-026 was supported by the Colorado Compost Council as well as by testimony from Eco-Cycle\u2019s Director of Compost and Carbon Farming, Rutger Meyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting Progress: Defeating Bills that Threatened Previous Wins <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Successfully defeated!<\/em><\/strong> A number of bills were introduced\u2014and defeated\u2014this year that claimed to \u201csave Coloradans money\u201d by eliminating fees. Two of the fees targeted through House Bill 25-1051<\/a> and Senate Bill 25-139<\/a> were from laws Eco-Cycle and our partners championed, and which cost very little to individuals while providing millions of dollars toward recycling, composting, reuse, and other sustainability programs in our state. The fees, which we successfully defended,\u00a0include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n