Currently in the United States, twenty-five states have E-waste recycling laws (Electronics Take Back Coalition) and ten states have Bottle Bills (National Conference of State Legislatures).  Neither of these two categories include Colorado, a state famous for its beautiful parks, landscapes, and scenery.  Why Colorado, considered one of the most beautiful states in the country, is not taking statewide measures to protect its assets is unknown, but it is the current generation’s responsibility to make sure that they leave their state in good shape for their children.  The future generations can learn from today’s generation about the importance of preserving the environment through recycling and realize that recycling is not a political issue, but a moral issue.  One of the biggest problems in getting a recycling bill passed in Colorado is the state’s politics.  Critics may argue that it is too complicated to create a mandatory recycling bill for the entire state or that starting recycling businesses is too expensive, and furthermore, Americans nationwide live in a world where they want things to happen now, they don’t want to wait.  Yes it would cost money to start recycling businesses and yes it would take a while for the business to be profitable, but in the long run, it would be extremely beneficial for the state.

As previously stated, politics is the major player in preventing the passing of a recycling law in Colorado.  There is a stereotype in politics in which people believe recycling is supported by the Democrats and Liberals and is criticized or ignored by Republicans and Conservatives.  While it is a highly untrue statement, the main question to arise is why this matter is a political issue in the first place.  This is not a political issue, but a moral issue.  Colorado is a major tourist destination with the state having four national parks, forty-two state parks, fifteen national forests and grasslands, over 8000 miles of rivers with seven major rivers, 2000 lakes, and more, not to mention the 960 species of wildlife the state boasts (Colorado Travel Facts).  If the state allows for its residents to deface the natural beauty of Colorado by not having mandatory recycling and letting their garbage go into landfills, tourism will decrease and the wildlife will suffer from the pollution of the waste getting into their systems; people do not want to visit dirty states with sick wildlife.  Furthermore, according to the Environmental Center at the University of Colorado Boulder, the average person creates 4.4 pounds of waste per day.  Since Colorado has around 5.188 million people (United States Census Bureau), this means the state produces about 8,331,928,000 pounds of waste a year.  Out of the entire United States, Colorado contributes seven percent of total waste generated a year.  With these staggering numbers, it is time to make a change in Colorado.  With the state’s natural beauty at risk, it is time the residents take charge in protecting their incredible state.

With the shocking numbers of waste that Colorado produces in a year, it is apparent that some type of change needs to occur in the state to help protect its environment and to set examples for other states that it can be done and that it can succeed.  A possible solution that will be likely the most effective and easiest way to ease the public into a mandatory recycling law is to create a Bottle Bill.  A Bottle Bill means a person is to recycle any type of aluminum, glass, or plastic beverage container.  California is one such state that already possesses this bill, and its effectiveness is astounding.  According to Campaign for Recycling in its definition of a Bottle Bill, “California… will recycle a record 18 billion used beverage containers this year, or 80% of every aluminum, glass and plastic container sold.”  If California, a state that has 60,000 square miles more than Colorado and has a population of 38. 04 million people, can pass a mandatory Bottle Bill and an E-Waste Bill (electronic waste) that were established years ago and are still going strong, then Colorado certainly has the ability to pass an effective Bottle Bill.  Since a Bottle Bill only recycles glass, aluminum, and plastic beverage containers, it will be an easier transition for the residents of Colorado to do so because many places in the state already do recycle such materials.  Some schools have recycling bins that students can throw their drink bottles into rather than trash bins.  The towns of Aspen, Basalt, and Carbondale have already passed effective ordinances banning plastic bags (Campaign for Recycling).  People in the state want to recycle in order to help preserve their state, but the state must get involved if people want to see a real impact on their state’s future.  Now the critics of passing a mandatory recycling bill may argue that it is too expensive for the state to start establishing recycling businesses around the state.  While their statement is correct, they are also not thinking long term.  In the long run, setting up recycling businesses would create jobs for the residents of the state and also keep Colorado looking beautiful and healthy and benefit the future generations of Colorado residents. 

Recycling is not a political issue, it is a moral issue.  Colorado is a state with stunning scenery and an incredible diversity of wildlife.  With the current waste production, the state is on its way to destroying the beauty and nature that Colorado embodies.  Colorado residents, overall, would almost certainly be willing to work with a mandatory recycling bill if it would mean their state would remain healthy; and a healthy state means more tourism, therefore revenue, for the state.  If a bankrupt California can create mandatory Bottle Bills and E-Waste Bills that work effectively, Colorado certainly can.