Zero Waste – Circular Economy

Zeroing In On The Issue:

The concept of Zero Waste refers to the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without creating harm to the environment or human health which comes from burning, burying or dumping on land or sea.

Creating a zero waste community and a truly circular economy will have positive social, economic and health implications in Boulder and is essential for achieving sustainability.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 14.1 percent of these emissions in 2016. At the same time, methane emissions from landfills represent a lost opportunity to capture and use a significant energy resource.   – EPA

There’s a lot of info on the web about the concept if you feel like reading, you can begin on WikiPedia, or watching, this video has a great explanation of Circular Economy. Otherwise, jump right in to the amazing resources from Boulder County organizations below.

Local Organizations Addressing Zero Waste

inspiring and promoting creativity, resource conservation,
and community engagement through reuse of materials for art supplies
Sustainable, Just-In-Time Food Rescue in Boulder, Colorado!
working to transform the water laws and landscape in Colorado, creating innovative approaches to working within our local water budget
One of the largest non-profit recyclers in the USA and with an international reputation as a pioneer and innovator in resource conservation
providing and promoting alternatives to individual car ownership, thereby reducing the environmental and social impacts associated with motor vehicle use
Redirecting Perishable Food – Just in Time!
a full-service grocery store and the easiest way to shop for zero-waste, local, and organic groceries
One-stop-shop for business sustainability in Boulder County
Cultivating, educating, and inspiring student leaders to start zero waste programs on college and university campuses.
improving resilience and tackle climate change through food and healthy soil on local farms and ranches
Working to manage surplus agriculture and reduce on-farm food loss statewide through gleaning, experiential education, research and legislative advocacy
Combining a library style service with sophisticated tracking technology in order to eliminate the need for paper and plastic to-go cups
dedicated to helping people save water, reduce waste, and conserve energy
Boulder is working to become a zero waste community, reducing the waste we create and then reusing, recycling and composting most of what we throw away. Our goal is to generate new materials from 85 percent of our waste by 2025.

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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.

Learn What Goes Where

with these hugely helpful and completely understandable guides

Eco-Cycle Guide: Your Local Zero Waste Resource

Recycling Guidelines for local pick up and city bins

Recycling Bin’s Dirty Dozen list of contaminants

Curbside Composting Guidelines

Curbside Composting Tips – Is It Compostable Guide

Curbside Composting Tips – Is It Compostable Guide

Hard-to-Recycle Materials – electronics, plastic bags, foam, porcelain, metal …

Guide to hazardous products for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal

Eco-Leaders 2.0 Training- Circular Economy

In September of 2020, Eco-Cycle held a webinar entitled Going Beyond the Bin. Hundreds of you tuned in, and they went over LOTS of information together! This excellent presentation goes beyond common zero waste principals. If you missed it and want to catch up, you can watch the recording here.

Attend a Compost Workshop

Tturn your food and yard waste into valuable soil! Learn how to start and maintain a highly efficient backyard compost system including what to feed your compost pile, appropriate bins and methods for our geographic region, tips, troubleshooting, and much more. See Workshop Schedule

U-Fix It Clinic

Don’t toss those toys, tools and appliances. Learn how you can mend and repair them! Boulder U-Fix-It Clinics are coming up at the STEAM Fest in Longmont and in Boulder Public Library’s BLDG 61 makerspace. Learn More

Showcase Your Work and Win Prizes

Boulder County’s Reuse In Action Contest is looking for your unique creations using reused materials. Entries must use at least one product from the Reuse Area at the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Managment Facility (HMMF). A winner will be selected randomly on a quarterly basis and receive a gift card. Learn more!

Are you a pro? Find out with this fun Quiz!  

Compolete the City of Boulder Zero Waste Sorting Quiz to comply with the education requirement of the Universal Zero Waste Ordinance … or just to have fun making sure you know the ins-and-outs of recycling and composting.

Learn More About Circular Materials Economy

from these helpful resources, websites, and stories

90% of what goes into Boulder’s landfill is recyclable.

We can change this! Everyone can become a recycling expert. First step is to watch this video. The next step is to make sure all your friends and family watch it, too.

Boulder is working to become a zero waste community.

This means reducing the waste we create and then reusing, recycling and composting 85% of what we do use by 2025 rather than sending it to the landfill.

Creating a hub for zero waste at 6400 Arapahoe

The city is considering creating a re-use innovation center on the property next to Eco-Cycle and Resource Central. Get inspired and share your ideas.

From Our Newspaper Recycling Bin

Why zero waste is a climate solution

Eco-Cycle explains why addressing waste and consumption is a critical climate solution. Visit Site

What is the Circular Economy?

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is at the forefront of defining and driving circular economy concepts. Read and listen to learn what “circular economy” is all about.

Cities and the Circular Economy

Exploration of how important cities are to the transition to a circular economy. Visit Site

Circular Charlotte Report

Charlotte has adopted a circular economy strategy as their economic model for the city. This report by Metabolic, who are Boulder’s circular economy consultants as well, outlines how to make it happen. Download PDF

Reusable coffee mugs can be borrowed just like checking out library books

We have bike share programs, scooter share programs and now that same concept is being applied to coffee cups too. Vessel Works launched in Boulder Wednesday morning. It allows customers to order drinks in stainless steel tumblers and keep the cups for up to five days before returning it to any participating location. Read Story on KDVR

City of Boulder’s Zero Waste Strategic Plan

Waste reduction has long been a community value in the City of Boulder, and since the adoption of a Zero Waste Resolution and the Master Plan for Waste Reduction by City Council in 2006, the city has worked to create the programs, services and facilities needed to reach the plan’s goal of 85 percent waste diversion, a milestone recognized internationally to de ne a zero waste community…  Open PDF

Zero Waste at CU and Beyond

Learn more about CU’s intitiatives, diversion rates and team spotlights on their Zero Waste site.

EPA’s Zero Waste Case Study of Boulder

City of Boulder voters approved a “Trash Tax” that has supported innovative waste reduction and zero waste practices. The City and Boulder County have zero waste by 2025 goals. The city has adopted a Zero Waste Strategic Plan and a Universal Zero Waste Ordinance to expand recycling and composting to all Boulder residents, employees and visitors. Click here to read more.

Ray Anderson – Sustainability in Action | Bioneers

The late Ray Anderson has been called the nation’s most inspiring “green business” visionary leader. His $1 billion global carpet manufacturing company, Interface, Inc.,  is working to achieve a zero environmental footprint by 2020. In this talk that Anderson presented at the 2008 Bioneers National Conference, he shows how sustainability and ethics are far better paths to business performance and profit. Watch the video

Hey stranger! Do you have anything to add to this section? Is there an awesome organization that we forgot to mention? A scientific study, or a newspaper article that everybody needs to know about? Is there a better way to organize all of this information and make it more useful? Anything at all, don’t be shy, let us know!

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