Juri Freeman brings decades of recycling and composting experience in Colorado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2024

Contact: media@circularaction.org

Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is pleased to announce Juri Freeman as the organization's executive director for Colorado, effective June 18, 2024. Freeman will lead CAA’s efforts in the state as the approved Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) charged with implementing Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products.   

“We are thrilled to have Juri Freeman join the CAA team to drive results and build a circular economy in Colorado,” said CAA’s Colorado Board Chair Neil Menezes. “Juri brings with him deep knowledge of the many facets of EPR, hands-on experience in the industry, and strong relationships with key stakeholders. He is recognized as a circular economy leader in Colorado and will help build a strong program that is right for the state."

Freeman comes most recently from Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) where he served as Managing Principal. He has also held high-level positions on industry-related boards including president of the Colorado Association for Recycling (2014-2019), and chair of the National Recycling Coalition (2014-2017). In addition, he served on the board of directors for the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Rocky Mountain Chapter (2010-2014). Prior to RRS Freeman held the position of Recycling Program Manager for the City/County of Denver where he managed the residential, facility, and public school recycling and composting programs.

“Joining CAA is the culmination of nearly two decades of effort working to improve recycling systems in my home state,” said Freeman. “I eagerly accept the challenge of leading Colorado’s EPR program and look forward to collaborating with colleagues, brands, haulers, CDPHE, Colorado's recycling community, and the many other stakeholders needed to make EPR succeed.”  

As the Colorado executive director, Freeman will lead the implementation of the state-level EPR program in collaboration with the CAA Colorado Board, the CAA National Board of Directors and other leaders in the organization. Under Freeman, CAA will continue its work with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), the Advisory Board, and all recycling and composting system stakeholders to develop, and ultimately deliver a program plan that is projected to more than double the current recycling rate for materials covered under the program by 2035.   

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About Circular Action Alliance
Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) dedicated to implementing effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for paper and packaging across the United States. The organization is led by 20 companies from the food, beverage, consumer goods, and retail industries that are united in their commitment to deliver harmonized best-in-class compliance services to all producers, scale innovation, and build systems that help both companies and consumers waste less and recycle more.