$110 million trash facility opens in Aurora ahead of Colorado’s statewide recycling expansion

WM has officially opened a $110 million recycling facility in Aurora, Colorado, capable of processing 175,000 tons of material annually to support the state's upcoming recycling expansion. The launch aligns with the implementation of the Producer Responsibility Program, which mandates that packaging producers fund recycling services to improve Colorado's historically low recycling rates. This strategic infrastructure investment is essential for the state's goal to provide free curbside recycling to more than 700,000 residential and commercial locations by 2035.

The newly inaugurated Denver East Recycling Facility & Hauling Site represents a significant technological upgrade for WM, featuring two miles of conveyor belts and advanced sorting machines that use light sensors, magnets, and air to process plastic, aluminum, and cardboard. Mark Snedecor, WM’s director of business development, explained that the facility was engineered to handle the modern waste stream, which has seen a decrease in newsprint and a surge in heavy cardboard from e-commerce providers like Amazon. Beyond sorting, the site supports a fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, and WM Chief Operating Officer Tara Hemmer announced plans for an on-site plant to convert landfill methane into enough natural gas to power 15,000 homes.

The facility serves as a cornerstone for Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program, a statewide initiative funded by fees on companies that produce packaging waste. Managed by the Circular Action Alliance in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, these fees are designed to encourage manufacturers to utilize more sustainable packaging materials. Governor Jared Polis, who attended the grand opening, highlighted the facility as a prime example of how environmental sustainability can drive economic opportunity within the state.

Implementation of the expanded recycling program will begin with single-family homes before moving to multi-family housing and commercial sectors, with the ultimate goal of achieving statewide curbside access by 2035. Brandy Moe of Recycle Colorado noted that the rollout involves a significant learning curve and a public education campaign to help residents understand new recycling protocols. While the Aurora facility includes specialized equipment to strip and bundle shrink-wrapped labels from containers, WM continues to research viable end-uses for these specific materials as part of its broader effort to enhance the regional circular economy.