Colorado § 25-17-101 - Legislative declaration.

§ 25-17-101. Legislative declaration.

(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the recycling of materials and products is a matter of statewide concern and that such recycling should be promoted in cooperation with units of local government in light of its economic and environmental benefits. The general assembly further finds that the recycling of materials and products will decrease the amount of materials and products which is disposed of in landfills and will also spur economic development in the recycling industry in Colorado. It is the intent of the general assembly in adopting this act to encourage the development of the recycling industry and the development of markets for recycled materials and products.

(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that:

(a) Proper management of waste in all forms is necessary to protect the public health and environment for the citizens of this state;

(b) The diversion of waste from the waste stream by encouraging available, affordable, and innovative alternatives to disposal is a key strategy in any state-local waste management policy;

(c) A comprehensive, cooperative, and integrated approach to waste management is necessary to achieve the goal of diverting waste from the municipal waste stream;

(d) Such an approach should foster public and private initiatives to reduce and divert waste through: Source reductions; recycling, including the secondary use of waste material or products in all forms; composting as a recycling option for materials such as yard debris, food scraps, and soiled or otherwise unrecyclable paper which are not recovered using traditional recycling methods; and other waste management strategies and disposal alternatives; and

(e) The state's waste management policies should include a combination of tax incentives, procurement policies, and economic development incentives: To encourage government entities and businesses and individuals to reduce sources of waste, recycle, and compost; to encourage the development of the recycling industry; and to encourage the development of markets for reusable, recycled, and composted products and materials.

Source: L. 89: Entire section added, p. 1180, § 1, effective July 1. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 2133, § 6, effective June 12.