CEDC Welcomes New Staff
Kicking off the second year of activity of the Circular Economy Development Center, we are excited to announce the addition of two new staff members! Both roles broaden the breadth and depth of the CEDC’s skills and will contribute to continued success in designing and executing circular economies for Colorado and the region.
Clio Goldsmith, Deputy Director – Clio has been working in product development for cut-and-sew goods for 14 years focusing on new material development, supply chain logistics, prototyping, and project management. Working with industrial designers and suppliers, she has developed products ranging from technical backpacks to roof-top tents. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Fine Art.
Susan Renaud, Director of Special Projects – Susan has more than 20 years of experience in zero waste, circular economy, business sustainability, and project management. Splitting her time between the private and public sectors, she worked for the City of Denver, City of Boulder and Boulder County in resource conservation roles. Susan holds bachelor’s degrees in architecture and Spanish, a master’s in urban and regional planning, and a certificate in business.
Project Highlight
Manufacturing Products Using Recycled Plastics
Direct Polymers collects and recycles millions of pounds of plastic each year in Colorado. However, there are very few markets for this plastic in the region. As a result, Direct Polymers crafted a plan to begin manufacturing products out of the plastic that is recycled in Colorado.
The CEDC will assist Direct Polymers in working with government agencies and other collaborators, developing and executing a project plan to expand its operation to create a manufacturing business. CEDC will also integrate Direct Polymers into a larger project that involves multiple material streams.
If you have a circular project and are interested in working with the CEDC, please fill out a questionnaire.
Calling All Recycling and Circular Economy Experts
CEDC Director Laurie Johnson left the New Mexico Recycling Coalition’s annual membership meeting in June feeling inspired. The meeting of recycling professionals was focused on creating pathways toward sustainability through circularity and Johnson gave a presentation on what the CEDC was building.
One of the CEDC’s current projects is expanding a facility in Pueblo to operate as a hub for recycled material collection and transportation. This hub will provide generators the ability to efficiently ship materials on a more frequent basis, reducing their storage and cost challenges.
When representatives from New Mexico attended the CEDC stakeholder meeting in Durango June 26, Johnson knew she had to make the same sort of connections with Colorado’s other regional neighbors, such as the Utah Recycling Alliance, Wyoming Solid Waste and Recycling Association, Nebraska Recycling Council, Kansas Organization of Recyclers, and State of Texas Alliance for Recycling.
“Everyone needs to know what everyone else in the region is doing,” said Johnson. “The best way to get large volumes of materials recycled is to work together and maximize transportation options.”
If you are a recycling or circular economy expert in Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, or other nearby state interested in working on a regional hub-and-spoke model, please contact the CEDC.
