CIRCULAR MATERIALS ECONOMY

BOULDER’S LEADERSHIP

We’ve been working for decades to become a zero waste community. We’re making great progress, but need to move beyond recycling and composting to limit the creation of waste materials to begin with.

The City of Boulder and most other U.S. communities who measure emissions from waste historically only include emissions from materials that are already wasted.

If emissions associated with our consumption were figured in, then emissions associated with our “stuff” would be 60% higher.

CREATING CIRCULARITY

A circular model builds economic, natural and social capital based on three principles:

• Design out waste and pollution
• Keep products and materials in use
• Regenerate natural systems

IN PLACE NOW

Universal Zero Waste Ordinance requiring all properties in the city to have recycling and compost collection service; all businesses to provide 3-sort-system bins, signs and education to their employees, and bins and signs to their customers.

• Pay-as-you-throw waste pricing 
• Disposable bag fee on paper/plastic bags at food stores
• Partners for A Clean Environment (PACE)
• Zero waste business advising
• Green Bag Giveaway
• University of Colorado Green Teams
• Eco-Cycle Eco-Leaders
• Food Waste Awareness Week events 

Boulder County Recycling Center
Eco-Cycle Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM)
Hazardous Materials Management Facility 
Yard and wood waste drop-off center 
ArtParts, creative reuse center
Resource, Used Buildings Material yard
Tool lending library 
A1 Organics compost facility

WHERE WE ARE

2018 COMMUNITY WIDE DIVERSION RATE – 57%

Efforts to date have been focused on achieving our zero waste goal of 85% waste diversion by 2025. For decades we have focused on ensuring access to – and participation in – recycling and composting programs.

• Urban Metabolism Study - evaluating materials flows into and out of Boulder to identify high-leverage “hot spots” to create a more circular economy.
• Food systems focus - Reducing food waste and addressing food choice are among the top climate solutions globally.
• Procurement - Driving change by leveraging our large purchasers of goods.
• Reuse-focused Innovation Hub - A vision to create a circular economy innovation center to support new business ideas.
• Legislative work- Driving state and federal policy initiatives to address problem materials.

PLANNED ACTIONS

GAME CHANGERS

CIRCULAR CHARLOTTE

The city of Charlotte, NC developed a circular economy plan in order to reduce waste and boost economic development. Their “Circular Charlotte” report estimates that the program could capture up to $111 million in value. This strategy aims to help address city-wide issues such as economic and social mobility.

AMSTERDAM SHARING ECONOMY

Amsterdam has developed a proactive approach to the sharing economy to enable the city, businesses and residents to reap the benefits from sharing platforms. The plan sits alongside the city’s circular economy activities, and innovations have sprung from it that increase access to and use of public and private assets, including the sharing of household items, space, modes of transport and even food.

MAKING GREEN COMMERCE MAINSTREAM

The Jeans Redesign Guidelines set out minimum requirements on garment durability, material health, recyclability and traceability. Based on the principles of the circular economy, the guidelines will work to ensure jeans last longer, can easily be recycled, and are made in a way that is better for the environment and the health of garment workers.

Loop is a reusable ecommerce shopping platform that sells name brand products in long-lasting packaging that is designed for multiple reuse before ultimately being recycled.