Landfill & Recycling Center

Saguache County is preparing for significant improvements to recycling services as a result of HB22-1355 legislation coming to fruition. Colorado has approved its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program Plan, created by the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) and approved on December 9th by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

This plan outlines how packaging and paper product companies—rather than residents and local governments—will fund and support a modern, convenient, and statewide recycling system. The initiative stems from Colorado’s commitment to reduce waste, increase access to recycling, and transition toward a producer-funded model that has proven effective in Canada and Europe.

Under the EPR Plan, Colorado’s new recycling system will begin rolling out in 2026, with full implementation building toward 2030.

By late 2026, Saguache County expects to receive 100% reimbursement for the net cost of recycling services currently provided at the landfill through MDS Waste and Recycle. Once reimbursements begin, county residents will no longer be required to pay fees to recycle at the landfill.

Over the next several years, the program will expand recycling access across Colorado—especially in rural areas—and ultimately make recycling as convenient as curbside trash service. 

Producers of paper, cardboard, metals, glass, rigid plastics, and many flexible plastics are required to: Register with Circular Action Alliance, Report data on the materials they sell into Colorado, Pay annual dues that fully fund recycling collection, transportation, and processing and finally will support education, outreach, and development of responsible end markets to reuse the materials.

This structure allows local governments and private haulers to continue operating recycling programs while being reimbursed for eligible services through agreements with CAA.

Commissioner Liza Marron, who serves on the statewide Producer Responsibility Advisory Board, emphasized the importance of this transition, “This new system lifts the financial burden of recycling off our residents, and onto the producers of the packaging materials who do business in Colorado, Marron said. “But just as importantly, it helps us reduce packaging waste and curb the single-use materials that harm our environment. This producer-funded model is a win for rural families, a win for our Saguache County landfill operation, our county budget, and a win for the lands and waters we all depend on.”

The timeline for service expansion will begin mid-year 2026, when all residents of Colorado become eligible for no-cost recycling services, by 2028: Schools and small businesses will be added as eligible entities, and by 2030: Recycling access statewide must be as convenient as curbside trash service.
The EPR system includes infrastructure investment for underserved rural communities—an important benefit for counties like Saguache, where infrastructure, distance, and transportation costs have historically limited recycling options. 

Saguache County will continue to provide updates as the EPR Plan moves towards implementation.

For more information, contact: 

Saguache County Road & Bridge and Landfill Department:

Michelle Hashbarger 

Office Manager

719-655-2554