In May 2006, Boulder City Council voted in favor of a resolution in which the city “hereby encourages the pursuit of Zero Waste as a long-term goal in order to eliminate waste and pollution in the manufacture, use, storage and recycling of materials.” Council members also approved a waste reduction plan to set the course toward 85% recycling and composting in the City of Boulder by 2017, up from the current rate of 35% for the commercial and residential sectors combined.
The plan includes efforts such as expanded recycling programs, curbside composting service, commercial food waste collection, construction and demolition debris recycling, future landfill bans for electronic equipment, and possible ordinances such as local take-back laws where manufacturers of specific materials, such as electronics, are required to either take back their product for recycling at the end of its useful life, or to support the infrastructure that recycles the material. The purpose of the plan is to create a model of how government leadership can take future generations into consideration by creating new rules and strategies for Zero Waste and for a sustainable economy and ecosystem. Congratulations, Boulder!
Look for these window clings in your community to identify businesses, governments, schools, businesses, volunteers, and retailers on the road to Zero Waste:
Click on any of the following icons to learn more about who has partnered with Eco-Cycle to build a Zero Waste community and to find out how you can get involved. Look for these decals at participating local businesses, schools, municipalities, and in the homes of our volunteers.
Volunteer with Eco-Cycle:Deliver our newsletter in your neighborhood, help make special events around our community Zero Waste, be a recycling advocate in your workplace, assist other recyclers at the drop-off centers, and much much more...
Contact your local government
Citizen action groups
What are other communities doing to reach Zero Waste?
Click on our local community map to see how other communities are working toward Zero Waste, or click on the globe to read about Zero Waste efforts around the world.
