If you’re a Colorado business, municipality, or recycling facility trying to build or expand a recycling program, you may not be aware of all the resources available to help you do it. The Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is one of the most significant — and least talked about — organizations working to strengthen recycling infrastructure across the United States, including right here in Colorado.
Altitude Recycling has been working alongside Colorado businesses on recycling equipment and infrastructure for over 15 years. Here’s what the CAA is, what it offers, and how we can help you access the resources and funding that come with it.
What Is the Circular Action Alliance?
The Circular Action Alliance is a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) established by major consumer goods companies and retailers to support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs across the United States. Its members include some of the largest producers of packaged goods in the country — companies that are required under state EPR laws to fund recycling infrastructure improvements.
The CAA’s mission is to build a stronger, more consistent recycling system nationwide — improving collection, processing, and end markets for recyclable materials. To do that, it channels producer funding into recycling infrastructure investments, grants, and technical assistance for communities and businesses working to improve their recycling programs.
In states like Colorado that have passed EPR legislation, the CAA plays a direct role in how producer funding gets deployed into local recycling infrastructure.
What the CAA Means for Colorado Recycling Operations
For Colorado businesses and recycling facilities, the CAA represents a significant source of potential support — both financially and technically.
Infrastructure grants and funding — CAA program funding flows into recycling infrastructure investments, including equipment, processing capacity, and collection improvements. Colorado operations that are investing in recycling equipment and infrastructure may be eligible for funding tied to CAA program priorities.
Technical assistance — The CAA provides technical resources to help communities and businesses improve their recycling programs — from needs assessments to best practices for processing and contamination reduction.
End market development — One of the biggest challenges in recycling is finding reliable end markets for baled materials. The CAA works to strengthen end markets for recyclables nationwide, which benefits every operation that bales and sells material.
Alignment with Colorado’s EPR program — Colorado’s EPR law (SB 22-172) and the CAA are directly connected. As Colorado’s EPR program matures, CAA resources will play an increasing role in how recycling infrastructure funding gets distributed across the state.
How Altitude Recycling Helps You Access CAA Resources
Navigating grant programs, EPR compliance, and recycling infrastructure funding is complicated — especially when you’re also trying to run a business. That’s where Altitude Recycling comes in.
Tyler has worked directly with Colorado businesses and organizations to help them identify and access recycling funding — including programs tied to CAA priorities and Colorado’s EPR framework. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Understanding what you qualify for — Between RREO grants, EPR infrastructure funding, and CAA-aligned programs, there are more resources available for Colorado recycling equipment than most businesses realize. We help you understand what’s out there and what you’re eligible for.
Identifying the right equipment — Grant and funding applications require you to specify what equipment you need and why. We help you make that case clearly — matching the right baler, compactor, shredder, or conveyor to your operation and your application.
Building the full picture — Grant funding rarely covers 100% of a project. We help you think through the complete funding picture — what programs can cover, what you’d contribute, and whether rental or lease-to-own makes sense for any gap.
Long-term support — Once your equipment is in place, we’re still here — for service, wire supply, and anything your recycling program needs as it grows.
The Bigger Picture — Colorado’s Recycling Funding Landscape
Colorado businesses and recycling operations have more funding resources available right now than at any point in the state’s history. The combination of:
- RREO grants — Direct equipment and infrastructure grants from CDPHE
- Colorado EPR program funding — Producer fees flowing into recycling infrastructure under SB 22-172
- CAA resources — National producer organization support for recycling infrastructure
…means that the financial barriers to getting the right recycling equipment in place are lower than they’ve ever been — if you know how to access the resources.
Most operations don’t. That’s the gap Altitude Recycling helps close.
Start the Conversation
Whether you’re a Colorado municipality looking to expand residential recycling, a business trying to build a stronger recycling program, or a recycling facility planning a capacity expansion — there are resources available to help you get there. And Altitude Recycling can help you navigate them.
Don’t wait for a deadline to force the conversation. The businesses that get ahead of Colorado’s recycling policy changes — with the right equipment and the right funding in place — will be in a significantly stronger position than those that don’t.
Call: 720-545-5348
Email: sales@altituderecycling.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Circular Action Alliance?
The CAA is a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization established by major consumer goods producers to support EPR programs and recycling infrastructure investment across the United States. It plays a direct role in how producer funding gets deployed into state recycling programs, including Colorado’s.
How does the CAA connect to Colorado’s EPR law?
Colorado’s EPR law (SB 22-172) requires producers to fund recycling infrastructure improvements through a PRO structure. The CAA is one of the organizations operating in this space nationally, and its resources are relevant to how Colorado’s EPR funding gets deployed.
Is CAA funding available to small businesses?
Funding availability depends on the specific program and eligibility criteria, which vary. Altitude Recycling can help you understand what programs apply to your operation and how to position your application.
How is CAA funding different from RREO grants?
RREO is a Colorado state grant program administered by CDPHE. CAA resources are tied to producer EPR funding at the national level. Both can support recycling infrastructure investment, and the two programs complement each other. We help you understand both.
Does Altitude Recycling charge for grant and funding assistance?
No. Helping you identify the right equipment and navigate funding is part of how we do business. We’re invested in your recycling program succeeding because that’s what builds a long-term relationship.
Altitude Recycling Equipment — Aurora, CO
Recycling Balers, Baling Wire, Equipment Rentals & Service Since 2010
Serving CO, WY, UT, NE, KS, AZ & NM — Equipment & Wire Available Nationwide
720-545-5348 | sales@altituderecycling.com