USA – Initiatives are being rolled out in every corner of the world to support improved recycling models that can power a successful circular economy. We post about many of them that arrive in our inbox. Here’s one from Colorado:
COLORADO NEXTCYCLE BUSINESS INCUBATOR IS STARTING TO RECRUIT FOR 2020
Recycling is complete when a material is collected, sorted, and processed back into a usable good. Colorado has a growing population that expects access to curbside recycling, however with limited local options, truckloads of commodities must often travel thousands of miles to reach processors and end markets.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) took action in 2018 and developed a program called Colorado NextCycle – a business incubator designed to improve local end markets for recovered commodities and organic materials in Colorado.
During its inaugural run, Colorado NextCycle supported nine teams, including startups, established manufacturers, and out-of-state businesses. The teams were provided access to regional recycling industry and demographic data, expert mentorship from a technical advisory committee, in-person consulting, and interactive workshop sessions. Through the Colorado NextCycle resources, teams were able to further their business ideas into business plans and ready themselves to apply for the CDPHE end market development grant of more than $1 million. Teams in NextCycle were also provided access to private sector funders and were invited to pitch their ideas at various events.
Colorado NextCycle is starting to recruit the next class of teams for acceptance into the 2020 program. If you or someone you know is interested in expanding or starting a business in Colorado, now is the time to be talking about end market ideas, collaborating across sectors, and getting ready to apply. For teams interested in joining NextCycle, details will be added to the Colorado NextCycle webpage over the next several weeks. Look for information about the Colorado NextCycle application process in October. If you have any questions regarding Colorado NextCycle, please email nextcycle@recycle.com or call 303-953-2461.
