An Insider’s Perspective on Recycling and Environmentalism: A Conversation with Finn Jackson

Finn Jackson is passionate about the environment. This passion is shown through his unrelenting dedication to environmental sustainability, stewardship, and conservation. A Cody native, Finn graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Environmental Science and minor in GIS in 2022. He has worked with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, is on the board of 350 Colorado, and works for Eco-Cycle, a recycling facility in Boulder, Colorado. Finn also was awarded the Climate Hero of the Month in December 2024 by 350 Colorado. He has dedicated a lot of time, effort, and perseverance to the fight for a sustainably focused world. 

Finn can offer plenty of wisdom to those curious about sustainability, recycling, lobbying, or general community organizing. Here are some questions he gratuitously answered to give us some insight on recycling and environmentalism.

For starters, what is your history with Park County Citizens’ for Sustainability?

I was part of the effort that got the group started. I was an active member for the group's first 4 months before I moved away.

You currently work for Eco-Cycle, specifically the Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM), what are some examples of hard to recycle materials, and what is the process of recycling these materials? 

Anything that can't be accepted at a traditional recycling facility but can be recycled is a "hard-to-recycle" material. We recycle 29 materials including styrofoam, plastic bags, scrap metal, and electronics. The process is different for each material. Styrofoam, plastic bags, and refrigerators are the only materials we process on site. Styrofoam we grind up, melt down, and compress into large logs. Plastic bags we load into balers and bale. Refrigerators we pump the refrigerant out of and then ship to a scrap metal yard.

The CHaRM department in Boulder, Co.

What are some of the most challenging materials the center processes?

Probably refrigerators. Most materials we ship to other places where the recycling actually takes place, so it's hard to tell.

How does Boulder’s recycling infrastructure compare to Cody’s recycling infrastructure?

Boulder's infrastructure is more developed. There are more facilities, more offerings, and overall recycling is more accessible. Boulder is also a larger city, though. Cody is very rural.

What are some ways you would like to see Park County and Wyoming's recycling infrastructure improve or change? 

I would like to see a materials recycling facility built in Wyoming. Shipping prices for recyclers would drop because they wouldn't have to ship out of state. I would like to see more materials recycled in the state. Almost all of our buyers are based in Denver.

How much material that you encounter actually gets recycled?

I get this question a lot. I can't tell you a specific number, but I know the markets for some materials are better and more reliable than others. For example, the plastic bags are almost 100% percent recycled and the buyer is very transparent!

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'm definitely proud of helping start PCCS! In early 2025, I volunteered with a campaign aimed at getting the Colfax Marathon in Denver to drop Chevron as their sponsor. The campaign was successful. Our next goal is to get Denver to ban fossil fuel advertising in the city!

What's the greatest challenge you face in your work?

Finding the time to do everything.

What's on your horizon that you are looking forward to the most?

Boulder County filed a lawsuit a few years ago against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil, two massive oil and gas polluters in Colorado. That lawsuit is going to be heard by the Supreme Court on October 5th. The decision in this case could determine if, going forward, people can sue corporations for polluting the environment and damaging their health. Taking polluters to court has been a winning strategy for climate activists so far. Though I'm not involved with the case directly (that'd be awesome), I will be watching it attentively. I hope you'll join me!

If you were in front of 10,000 people right now, what would you say to them?

Our planet is being destroyed, right? So don't be afraid to destroy what's destroying it. I'm (half) joking of course, but, collectively, I feel people in the United States aren't meeting the moment because we face many challenges in life, but many are also afraid. We're very comfortable, and I think that prevents us from pushing ourselves. So, if you need to make yourself uncomfortable or make another uncomfortable to get through to them, that's okay if that's what it takes. Remember how you felt in 2020 or 2008 or 1988 (old timers) ;).