Recycle Colorado
Recycle Colorado is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit membership organization, founded in 1991 and based in Longmont, that convenes 148 member organizations across Colorado's waste stream to advance circular-economy policy, host the Summit for Recycling, and operate councils covering composting, construction & demolition, plastics, and greater Colorado.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersLongmont, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Recycle Colorado does
Recycle Colorado is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit membership organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Longmont, Colorado, dedicated to advancing circular economies and improving recycling across the state. The organization's primary function is convening and representing stakeholders across Colorado's waste stream, including haulers, processors, recyclers, composters, manufacturers, municipalities, and government agencies such as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. It does this through a tiered membership program, four operational councils and committees (Colorado Composting Council, C&D Council, Greater Colorado Council, Plastics Circularity Council) plus a Policy Committee, an annual Summit for Recycling conference, year-round webinars and field trips, a Lobby Day, and a Producer Responsibility Advisory Board interface.
The organization operates a membership-as-product model with nine pricing tiers ranging from Individual ($105/year) to Capstone ($8,400/year), with intermediate Community ($370), Municipal Bronze ($1,575), Business ($2,100), Municipal Silver ($3,150), Supporting ($4,200), Municipal Gold ($5,250), and Cornerstone ($6,300) levels. Member benefits include access to the GrowthZone-powered member directory, events calendar, job board, grants listings, and policy voting rights. Recycle Colorado also monetizes through event registrations, the 5-day Compost Operations Training Course delivered with the Compost Research & Education Foundation, and Colorado Gives Day donations. Distribution is exclusively domestic within Colorado, with no international footprint.
There is no proprietary technology stack; the organization relies on third-party GrowthZone for member management, Mailchimp for email, and standard social platforms for outreach. Recycle Colorado partners with the US Composting Council (Colorado Composting Council is an affiliated chapter), the Compost Research & Education Foundation, Colorado SWANA, Circular Action Alliance, and CDPHE. The organization positions itself as the primary statewide nonprofit advancing waste-diversion policy, notably around Colorado's flat 15.7-16% statewide diversion rate and the upcoming implementation of the Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act (HB22-1355) beginning June 9, 2026.
Recycle Colorado firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Recycle Colorado
- Legal name
- Recycle Colorado
- Website
- https://recyclecolorado.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Recycle Colorado is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit membership organization, founded in 1991 and based in Longmont, that convenes 148 member organizations across Colorado's waste stream to advance circular-economy policy, host the Summit for Recycling, and operate councils covering composting, construction & demolition, plastics, and greater Colorado.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Recycle Colorado industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Recycling and Waste Diversion Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Waste Management and Remediation Services (562), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Curbside Organics Programs (Municipal/Franchise) (BPALAEAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- On-site Recycling Programs (Single-Stream, Source-Separated) (BPABALAB)
Keywords
Where Recycle Colorado is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Longmont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Recycle Colorado business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Recycle Colorado generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues paid by individuals, businesses, municipalities, and organizations in the recycling and waste diversion industry. Membership tiers range from $105/year for individuals to $8,400/year for Capstone partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Capstone Partners - $8,400 Annually - Anchors who invest in critical work and longevity of the organization |
| Subscription | Annual | Cornerstone Partners - $6,300 Annually - Go above and beyond in investing in the organization |
| Subscription | Annual | Municipal Gold - $5,250 Annually - Support on local government level |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporting - $4,200 Annually - Contribute time and energy into waste diversion space |
| Subscription | Annual | Municipal Silver - $3,150 Annually - Local government engagement and active contribution |
| Subscription | Annual | Business - $2,100 Annually - Entry level membership for committed businesses |
| Subscription | Annual | Municipal Bronze - $1,575 Annually - Entry level for municipal members |
| Subscription | Annual | Community - $370 Annually - For groups and businesses beyond individual level |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual - $105 Annually - For employees, retired, students, small businesses |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Recycle Colorado product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Recycle Colorado is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit membership organization that advances circular economies and waste diversion across Colorado. It sells tiered annual memberships to organizations, municipalities, and individuals, and delivers value through councils/committees, an annual Summit for Recycling conference, policy advocacy on state legislation, educational resources, a member directory, job board, and specialized compost operator training.
Product overview
Recycle Colorado is a 501(c)3 statewide nonprofit organization advancing circular economies and improving recycling across Colorado. The organization operates as a membership-based association offering programs and services including tiered membership tiers (Capstone, Cornerstone, Municipal, Supporting, Business, Community, Individual), councils and committees (Colorado Composting Council, C&D Council, Greater Colorado Council, Plastics Circularity Council, Policy Committee), events and conferences (Summit for Recycling, Annual Meeting, Colorado SWANA events), educational resources, job boards, member directory, policy advocacy, and specialized training programs like the Colorado Compost Operator Training Course. The organization connects stakeholders across the waste stream including haulers, producers, users, recyclers, composters, and local governments to achieve Colorado's waste diversion goals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Colorado Composting Council (COCC): A council under Recycle Colorado focused on composting initiatives in Colorado, affiliated with the US Composting Council.
Products and services
- Membership Program Tiered annual membership program providing individuals, businesses, municipalities, and partners with access to councils, committees, events, voting opportunities, and networking within Colorado's waste diversion industry.
- Councils & Committees Member-driven councils and committees — including the Colorado Composting Council (COCC), C&D Council, Greater Colorado Council, Plastics Circularity Council, and Policy Committee — that meet quarterly and monthly for regional or material-specific updates and action projects.
- Events & Conferences Annual and recurring events including the Summit for Recycling, Annual Meeting, Lobby Day, Poster Contest, Snack & Shares, Colorado Recycles Week, and co-hosted Colorado SWANA Annual Conference, bringing together stakeholders across Colorado's waste stream.
- Resources & Education Educational materials for K-12 students, businesses, and municipalities covering recycling basics, composting guidance, plastic bans, grants, and waste diversion team formation.
- Job Board Online job board listing jobs, internships, and fellowships in recycling, composting, waste management, consulting, and sustainability across Colorado.
- Member Directory Searchable directory of member organizations categorized by type — Compost/Organics processors, Consultants, Haulers, Landfills/MRFs, Manufacturers, Nonprofits, Processors & Remanufacturers.
- Policy Advocacy State-level policy advocacy advancing waste diversion through reuse, remanufacturing, and composting, including producer responsibility initiatives, local government support, and Lobby Day at the Colorado General Assembly.
- Colorado Compost Operator Training Course A 5-day professional training program delivered in partnership with the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) that provides comprehensive instruction on commercial-scale compost production, utilization, and marketing.
- Greater Colorado Council Summer Field Trip Educational field trip program of the Greater Colorado Council exploring circular economy solutions, including tours of waste management facilities, materials recovery operations, and composting sites in rural/mountain Colorado communities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 148 member organizations collaborating on waste diversion
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Recycle Colorado
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Recycle Colorado technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Recycle Colorado partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- US Composting CouncilcoreAffiliation with national composting standards and professional development through the Colorado Composting Council (COCC), which is a local chapter affiliated with the US Composting Council. The COCC offers membership, resources, and alignment with national composting best practices.
- Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF)corePartnership to deliver the Compost Operations Training Course (COTC) in Colorado - a 5-day professional training program with over 60 trainings historically conducted across the United States. Early bird pricing available with discounts for registration.
- Colorado SWANAmajorCo-hosting the Colorado SWANA Annual Conference & Trade Show (September 21-23, 2026) and the Colorado SWANA Golf Fun(d)raiser Tournament. SWANA is the region's leading organization for waste management professionals.
- Circular Action Alliance (CAA)coreCAA is the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) overseeing producer compliance and implementation of Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act. Recycle Colorado provides news updates and facilitates participation in CAA programs through the Producer Responsibility Advisory Board.
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)coreCDPHE is the regulatory agency overseeing materials management and waste diversion programs in Colorado. Recycle Colorado facilitates member participation in CDPHE initiatives including the Producer Responsibility Advisory Board and publishes statewide waste diversion data.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Recycle Colorado competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America): National industry association for solid waste and recycling professionals; Recycle Colorado co-hosts the Colorado SWANA Annual Conference with this peer, and both serve overlapping membership of haulers, MRFs, and municipalities.
- US Composting Council: National membership organization for the composting industry; the Colorado Composting Council is a local chapter formally affiliated with this peer, making it the closest direct peer on the organics/composting side of Recycle Colorado's work.
- Northeast Recycling Council: Regional nonprofit that convenes state recycling and composting stakeholders across the U.S. Northeast; highly comparable to Recycle Colorado's role as a multi-state convening body focused on policy, infrastructure, and member education.
Broad incumbents
- Association of Plastic Recyclers: National trade association for companies that recycle plastics; comparable to the Plastics Circularity Council within Recycle Colorado but operating at a national scale across the plastics recycling value chain.
- ReMA (Recycling Materials Association): National trade association representing the entire recycling industry supply chain; comparable to Recycle Colorado's broader recycling advocacy and policy role but operating at a national scale with a wider portfolio.
Emerging players
- Sustainable Packaging Coalition: Industry working group focused on sustainable packaging and circular economy; comparable to Recycle Colorado's Plastics Circularity Council and broader circular economy advocacy focus.
- Container Recycling Institute: Nonprofit dedicated to increasing beverage container recycling; partially comparable to Recycle Colorado's policy advocacy on producer responsibility and plastic/material recovery.
Regional players
- Texas Recyclers & Waste Reduction (Recycle Texas): Statewide Texas nonprofit promoting recycling and waste reduction; comparable in mission, structure, and stakeholder mix, but serving a different geography than Recycle Colorado.
- Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association (ORRA): Oregon-based trade association for the solid waste and recycling industry; highly comparable as a state-level association serving haulers, MRFs, and municipalities, but serving a different geography than Recycle Colorado.
Others
- CalRecycle: California's state agency for recycling and waste diversion; while a government entity rather than nonprofit, it is functionally comparable as the statewide convener and data publisher for recycling infrastructure and policy.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Recycle Colorado social profiles
Digital presenceRecycle Colorado financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Recycle Colorado leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Recycle Colorado funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Recycle Colorado M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Recycle Colorado
What does Recycle Colorado do?
Recycle Colorado is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit membership organization that advances circular economies and waste diversion across Colorado. It sells tiered annual memberships to organizations, municipalities, and individuals, and delivers value through councils/committees, an annual Summit for Recycling conference, policy advocacy on state legislation, educational resources, a member directory, job board, and specialized compost operator training.
Is Recycle Colorado a public or private company?
Recycle Colorado is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Recycle Colorado founded?
Recycle Colorado was founded in 1991. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Recycle Colorado based?
Recycle Colorado is headquartered in Longmont, United States, in the North America region.
How does Recycle Colorado make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Who are Recycle Colorado's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America), US Composting Council and Northeast Recycling Council. Broad incumbents are Association of Plastic Recyclers and ReMA (Recycling Materials Association). Emerging players are Sustainable Packaging Coalition and Container Recycling Institute. Regional players are Texas Recyclers & Waste Reduction (Recycle Texas) and Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association (ORRA). CalRecycle is listed as an others.
Does Recycle Colorado have an API?
No public API is recorded for Recycle Colorado.
What industry is Recycle Colorado in?
Recycle Colorado's product category is Recycling and Waste Diversion Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAEAF, Residential Curbside Organics Programs (Municipal/Franchise), with a secondary code of BPABALAB, On-site Recycling Programs (Single-Stream, Source-Separated). Its NAICS code is 562 and its SIC code is 4953.