Glass in the Single Stream, EPR Updates & What Builders Need to Know

Apr 8
3 min read

Updated: Apr 9

SCBA's Board President, Carolanne Powers (Peak Element Construction) attended the Zero Waste Task Force meeting on April 1, hosted by High Country Conservation Center (HC3) and Summit County. Here's a summary of what was covered — with a focus on what's relevant to builders, contractors, and property managers in Summit County.

Big News: Glass Is Going Back in the Single Stream

Starting May 1, 2026, glass will be accepted in single-stream recycling across Summit County. This is a meaningful change — glass was pulled from the single stream back in 2014 because it was breaking and contaminating other recyclables during the baling process.

Two things have changed since then:

A second MRF (material recovery facility) was built at SCRAP in 2024 using Strong Future funding. It uses an extruder rather than baling, so glass no longer gets compacted into paper and cardboard.
Glass to Glass Denver now accepts mixed/dirty MRF glass with improved sorting technology, so color separation at drop-off centers is no longer required.

As of March 30, 2026, glass is no longer considered a contaminant — haulers won't be penalized for loads containing it. Residents can start putting glass in their single-stream bins now. The official marketing campaign and updated bin labels launch May 1.

Drop-off centers and glass depot stations will remain in place to maximize glass capture — they're not going away.

For Builders & Property Managers: C&D Study Underway

A Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste cost analysis study is currently underway, funded by the State of Colorado in partnership with RSS. The study is in the interview and site analysis phase, with results and a presentation to the BOCC expected in late fall 2026.

The goal is to understand what a formal C&D diversion policy would actually cost contractors. No commissioner direction on implementing a policy has been given yet — but this study is the groundwork. Builders should be aware this conversation is actively developing.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) — Recycling Is Getting Cheaper

EPR legislation will eventually make recycling free for Colorado residents and businesses — funded by producers rather than ratepayers.

Here's the timeline:

Single-family and multi-family recycling: expected to become free in Q1 2027
Commercial/municipal: 2028 and beyond
CAA open market portal launched — roll-out date expected October 1, 2026

Because Summit County operates as an open market community, each hauler must work directly with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) to get reimbursed when recycling becomes free. WM (our current single-stream provider) is opening a new $120M MRF in May with upgraded sorting technology.

Strong Future Grants — Applications Open Through May 18

Strong Future grants are currently open through May 18. Three funding tiers are available:

Larger grants: $25,000–$75,000
Mid-level: $1,000–$24,999
New this cycle: URO compliance funding for HOAs, which can stack on top of town grants

Heads up: you must contact HC3 before applying to make sure your project is well-developed enough to be competitive. Don't skip that step.

Mark Your Calendar

May 1: Glass officially accepted in single stream; marketing campaign and updated signage launch
May 18: Strong Future grant deadline
May 30: Hard-to-Recycle Event and Town Clean Up Day
Late Fall 2026: C&D study results presented to BOCC

Questions about glass, recycling changes, or the C&D study? Reach out to HC3 or contact SCBA — we'll stay on top of this as it develops, especially as the C&D conversation moves toward policy.

— Valerie Connelly, Executive Officer, Summit County Builders Association