Recycling and Composting Accountability Act is good for environment, tourism economy

As the general managers of Copper Mountain Resort, and Eldora Mountain Resort, both beloved ski resorts and major employers in Summit and Boulder counties, we are urging the Colorado community and Congress to support the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act.

First and foremost, we would like to commend Congressman Joe Neguse for authoring and sponsoring this bill to advance environmental stewardship and sustainability. As mountain resorts that provide outdoor experiences for millions of guests each year, we understand the importance of preserving our natural surroundings and mitigating the negative impacts of
human activities on the environment. The proposed bill aligns perfectly with our core values of environmental stewardship and community support, and we believe it will significantly contribute to a future where a greener and more sustainable economy further propels Colorado forward.

Summit and Boulder counties, with their stunning mountains and breathtaking landscapes, have economies that are largely dependent on outdoor recreation. Like many parts of Colorado, this means that we prioritize a healthy environment, as having such spaces draws visitors and new residents from around the world.

We also understand the importance of collaborating with our community, having long sought to stimulate a circular recycling market. This bill provides a comprehensive national framework for achieving these goals and confronting the challenges to doing so through science-based research and planning. This is critical to ensuring that future generations may work and play as we do.

Together Copper and Eldora Mountains, along with our parent company POWDR, have a longstanding commitment to environmental and community initiatives through Play Forever. We have implemented various sustainable practices to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the delicate ecosystem surrounding our resorts in Colorado and across the country. We have established recycling programs, invested in energy-efficient infrastructure, and encouraged our guests and employees to adopt eco-friendly behaviors. By supporting the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, we aim to strengthen these efforts and amplify our positive impact on the environment.

Copper and Eldora Mountains are allies and willing partners in studying, planning, promoting, and implementing the practices this bill proposes. We are also committed to actively participating in any initiatives, campaigns, and educational programs aimed at raising awareness about recycling and composting.

We have been working with Summit County Resource Allocation Park (SCRAP), a non-hazardous waste facility where our waste is sent.  SCRAP is investing heavily in waste diversion because its landfill is quickly reaching capacity and any expansion would be expensive and challenging. Many smaller communities are struggling with similar composting challenges and studying practical solutions to create infrastructure is critical to small communities like ours across the
country.

In Boulder County, we work with Eco-Cycle, a non-profit that provides zero-waste solutions, The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHARM) to recycle hard-to-recycle plastics, electronics, and appliances, and the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility to properly recycle or dispose of hazardous waste like unused paint, chemicals or cleaning products.

In addition to the environmental benefits, we firmly believe that this bill will bring significant economic advantages to our region. Summit and Boulder counties attract visitors each year for skiing, snowboarding, biking, and hiking in our magnificent mountains. By promoting recycling and composting, we can enhance our reputation as eco-friendly destinations, thereby boosting tourism which will, in turn, generate local employment opportunities and foster economic growth in the region.

Thanks to Rep. Neguse for his dedication to our environment and for championing the cause of recycling and composting. His leadership and vision inspire us to work even harder toward a greener future. We are confident that, through the support of this bill, Summit and Boulder counties will set an exemplary standard for sustainable practices and serve as a model for other communities across our country.

Dustin Lyman is president and general manager of Copper Mountain Resort. Brent Tregaskis is president and general manager of Eldora Mountain Resort

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