The Circular Economy Development Center, in partnership with the Business Incubator Center, Enstrom Candies, Front Range Transload and B. Kirkland Trucking, launched the first-ever Western Slope pickup for the Circular Transportation Network at Enstrom Candies, 701 Colorado Ave. in Grand Junction.

The Business Incubator Center said in a news release it marks a major step in building a circular economy in Western Colorado, connecting rural businesses to statewide sustainability infrastructure. Using an innovative backhaul transportation model, the CTN collects hard-to-recycle materials, such as plastic film, that would otherwise end up in landfills.

The collected materials will be delivered to a transload facility for aggregation and baling, then transported to regional processors and manufacturers. For example, this shipment will be delivered to a Front Range transload station in Pueblo, where it will be bailed and shipped to Driven Plastics, another Colorado company, for processing. This process creates a new circular economy to recycle and use materials not readily accepted in more common recycling streams.

“The Circular Transportation Network opens the door for businesses in our region to save money, streamline operations and participate in a growing statewide supply chain,” said Dalida Sassoon Bollig, chief executive officer at the Business Incubator Center. “Aside from waste diversion, it’s a smart economic development strategy that creates jobs, drives innovation and strengthens Colorado’s position as a leader in sustainable industry.”

The Circular Transportation Network is a project of Colorado’s Circular Economy Development Center, a statewide initiative funded by the Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise. 

The CEDC provides technical assistance to businesses, connects manufacturers and recyclers, and works to build durable circular supply chains across the state.

“At Enstrom’s, we care deeply about our community and future generations. We’re proud to be a part of this effort to reduce waste and make our community a better place to live and do business,” said Doug Simons Jr., co-owner of Enstrom Candies.

Mike Ritter, economic development director for the Business Incubator Center and CEDC satellite coordinator based in Grand Junction, said the Western Slope launch is only the beginning.

“As additional businesses and partners join the network, the CEDC expects to significantly reduce landfill waste, reduce hauling costs and unlock new revenue streams and economic opportunities through smart, circular logistics,” Ritter said.

Businesses interested in upcoming routes or in learning how circular systems can boost their bottom line should contact Ritter at mritter@gjincubator.org.

Acceptable materials with the CTN are aluminum cans, cardboard (OCC); down-filled products (i.e., jackets, sleeping bags, comforters with no synthetic fill); office paper (white paper, not shredded); paper (mixed, not shredded); plastic film (HDPE and LDPE); plastics No. 1 (PET); plastics No. 2 (HDPE); and tin.

For more information about the CTN visit coloradocedc.org.