The City of Loveland has once again been recognized as the top residential recycling program in Colorado, marking its ninth consecutive year at the top of the State of Recycling and Composting ranking. The honor comes in the newly released ninth annual State of Recycling & Composting in Colorado report, which is co-published by Eco-Cycle and the Colorado Public Interest Research Group.
“Maintaining this level of performance for nine straight years is a testament to the dedication of our residents,” says Tyler Bandemer, the City of Loveland’s solid waste manager. “Our community has embraced sustainability. Recycling isn’t just a service; it’s part of how we live. From our curbside program to drop-off events, we’ve built a system that is both convenient and effective. We designed our waste-management approach so that recycling is easy and affordable, and our residents have responded. This recognition reflects their strong commitment.”
Why Loveland excels
Loveland’s continued leadership rests on several key pillars:
- Universal access: Every household has access to curbside recycling services, making it simple to participate.
- Volume-based pricing: Trash costs are tied to how much residents throw away, incentivizing recycling and waste reduction.
- Convenient recycling center: The local recycling center accepts more than two dozen materials, helping residents divert a broad array of items from landfills.
- Ongoing education: The city runs educational campaigns and community events to help citizens understand what can be recycled and why it matters.
- Community support: Residents actively engage with the program, attend shred events, bring materials to drop-off and consistently recycle at high rates.
Looking ahead
As the state transitions toward more circular strategies, Loveland is well positioned to maintain its leadership. Eco-Cycle’s 2025 report highlights the growing importance of local innovation, infrastructure investment and creative community-driven solutions. The City of Loveland remains committed to expanding its sustainability footprint. With continued community partnership, the city aims not only to sustain but to elevate its zero-waste goals in the years ahead.
For more information about Loveland’s recycling programs, visit lovgov.org/solidwaste.
Program funding
The Solid Waste Division, part of the city’s Public Works Department, provides comprehensive waste management services to the Loveland community. These include curbside trash, recycling and optional yard waste collection, available from April through November. Additionally, the division operates the Loveland Recycling Center, where residents and visitors can recycle over 27 different materials through convenient drop-off services. Solid Waste services are paid through the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund. This fund is supported by the fees customers pay on their monthly utility bills. Just like a business, these fees cover the costs to run the service, maintain equipment, manage day-to-day operations and make future improvements.
