Will Grand Junction’s New Jump Start Recycling Facility Lower Bills?
2026 will be a big year for recycling in Grand Junction and Western Colorado. For years, our community needed to either send recyclables out of state or rely on small drop-off options. No longer.
The City Council has green-lit a 58,000+ sq. ft. Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at 365 32 Road designed to modernize recycling for the entire Western Slope. Supported in part by the state’s Rural Jump-Start Program, keep scrolling to find out, “Will this actually lower my trash bill?”
What’s Being Built: The New Recycling Facility
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Grand Junction’s plans for a new recycling facility come from a partnership between the city, the Rural Jump-Start Program, and Bruin Waste Management, which will manage the site. The 10.5-acre facility is located at 365 32 Road. It's part of a $5.6 million land purchase approved by the city council.
The total investment is expected to reach about $18–$19 million. Advanced machinery at the site will provide faster processing, less contamination, and will handle materials previously shipped out of state. Plans include a community viewing room, so the public can see how modern recycling works.
Trash Bills, Recycling Costs & Your Wallet
Grand Junction finished 2025 with residents accessing recycling through city curbside programs. Outside of city limits, recycling options are limited. Trash and recycling billing have been tied to service providers or municipal charges, which do not always translate to lower costs due to how far materials are shipped.
Grand Junction’s new facility could reduce hauling costs and keep recyclables in the local supply chain. By mid-2026, Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program will require producers to fund recycling systems. The hope is that the new facility will help shift costs away from residents and expand free recycling.
What Needs to Happen Next
The work is far from finished. For the new facility to fully deliver on its promise to lower costs, several steps are essential. The installation of sorting equipment and the start-up of operations at the Materials Recovery Facility depend on the acquisition of equipment and schedules.
Locally, Grand Junction will need to coordinate service and expand access beyond 2025 drop-off sites. Local budgets will need to be adjusted to include recycling. 2026 will be an important year for residents to stay informed about recycling guidelines. As Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program rolls out, community input will shape how businesses, government, and households take on the new system.
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