Plastics recycling company wins top prize at NextCycle Colorado Pitch Competition

NextCycle Colorado, a program from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), has awarded Golden, Colorado-based Renegade Plastics the top prize at the 2024 NextCycle Pitch Competition.

Renegade Plastics diverts construction and demolition debris by recycling it into polypropylene plastic-coated fabrics, helping to create a circular system for industrial fabrics, fibers and cloth.

Since its creation in 2018, NextCycle has helped Colorado businesses secure approximately $3 million in CDPHE-funded waste diversion grants. NextCycle Colorado aims to help participating teams develop new or improved recycling, composting and reuse end markets.

“NextCycle continues to help Colorado build a circular economy that increases recycling access, reduces waste going to local landfills and supports workforce development in our communities,” CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan says. “I’m proud to see NextCycle support these creative companies that demonstrate our shared commitment to building a more sustainable future for our state.”

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The pitch competition followed a four-month business accelerator program through NextCycle Colorado. Businesses, organizations, nonprofits, universities and entrepreneurs were tasked with pursuing innovative projects to develop and improve recycling and composting markets in the state.

“The NextCycle Colorado program was an awesome opportunity for Renegade Plastics to connect with other businesses and nonprofits working towards waste diversion in Colorado,” says Katie Kolesar, head of sustainability at Renegade Plastics. “The coaching provided in the boot camp prepared us to successfully pitch our project for a prototyping and research manufacturing facility and receive a Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Advanced Industries Early-Stage and Capital Retention grant.

“The facility is anticipated to open in 2025 and will make it possible for Renegade Plastics to incorporate recycled resin from our own products into a new generation of products.”

The competition audience selected EsterCycle, Arvada, Colorado, as the People’s Choice award winner. EsterCycle designed a circular recycling system for compostable and single-use food packaging. 

“EsterCycle will officially register as a business in the state this summer before beginning participation in a Colorado-based cleantech accelerator,” EsterCycle Founder Julia Curley says. “We are incredibly excited to continue refining our technology and raising funds to scale up compostable plastics recycling in Colorado.”

Learn more about the other teams and ideas showcased at the May 13 pitch competition.