Eco-Store Frequently Asked Questions

Why buy through the Eco-Cycle ecoStore?

Eco-Cycle developed the ecoStore to help our community move closer to Zero Waste by purchasing products that were designed to be recycled or composted, and made using environmentally-friendly practices that reduce energy consumption, eliminate toxins and support healthy communities. Once you recycle and compost as much as you can, the next step is to look "upstream" toward the products and packaging you purchase to find ways to reduce your waste, and your environmental impact, even further.

Your purchasing dollars are one of the most powerful ways you can "vote" for change, but navigating the complex web of available eco-friendly products to know you’re making the best choices can take a lot of time and effort. That’s why we’re here to help. When you purchase through our site, you'll know Eco-Cycle staff has chosen products that will help you and our community reduce waste, prevent pollution, conserve resources and reach our Zero Waste goals.

Do I have to live in Boulder County to purchase from the ecoStore?

Eco-Cycle developed the ecoStore to support our community's Zero Waste efforts, but we love to offer our services to help other communities reach for Zero Waste too. So please shop through our store, no matter where you live, so we can boost the demand for the green products and increase their availability and use, which all leads to a healthier planet for all of us.

How can I promote my business for using this service and purchasing for Zero Waste?

A key component of Eco-Cycle’s Zero Waste Services program is to help our partner businesses share with their customers and employees all the efforts they’re making toward Zero Waste, including purchasing for Zero Waste. We provide our partners with a window cling for their entryways that identifies them as a Zero Waste Community Partner, as well as accompanying “stripes” that identify each effort that company is making—recycling, composting, purchasing for Zero Waste. If you are using this ecoStore, please let your customers know you are making environmental purchasing decisions by proudly posting your window cling and stripe. If you need a cling or stripe, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How does Eco-Cycle select products for the ecoStore?

Eco-Cycle has worked in recycling and resource conservation for more than 35 years. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about how product design and manufacture can have an incredible impact upon the local and global environment. We’ve also been fielding calls from community members and businesses for years looking for advice about what products to buy and use, and we're happy to finally offer an easy way to purchase eco-friendly products.

Some products are designed with reuse, recycling and composting in mind and with attention to sustainable production practices. These are the products we’ve chosen for the ecoStore. By contrast, the products we’re helping you avoid are designed to be used once and then landfilled, may include toxic materials or produce toxic releases to air and water during manufacture, and depend upon cheap, destructive and perpetual natural resource extraction.

Eco-Cycle staff chooses products in the ecoStore based upon our own experience and the advice of other environmental stewardship and certification programs including the Green Purchasing Institute, Biodegradable Products Institute, Green Seal, and the Forest Stewardship Council. If you have any questions about a product we're offering, or one we're not, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Can I suggest a company or product that I would like to see in your store?

We are happy to work with vendors interested in getting their products distributed through our ecoStore. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with more information on the company or product.

What if I don't like one of the products offered in the ecoStore?

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it good and bad, on the products and companies listed on the Eco-Cycle ecoStore. Our goal is to offer the highest quality environmental products available. If you feel a product does not meet the highest environmental standards, or you've used it and it's poor quality, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . New products are continually coming on the market and we do our best to keep up with these trends, but we welcome your help in only offering quality products for our planet and its populations.

Does Eco-Cycle make any money from the sale of products on the ecoStore?

Eco-Cycle receives a small percentage of each sale and redirects these funds into our efforts to build a Zero Waste community.

What if I want to return a product, or have a problem with it?

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if there is a problem with your order or product. We will accept returns for up to 30 days after the date of sale. You must contact Eco-Cycle for an RMA before returning any merchandise.

Product returns or defects after 30 days must be addressed by the manufacturer and their return policy.

Products must be undamaged, in their original packaging and be able to be re-sold. Any products that arrive used, opened or in poor condition will not be entitled to a refund.

Eco-Cycle does not accept returns on unused quantities of compostable products sold as Zero Waste Event Kits. We do not issue refunds for these unused products. Refunds will only be processed in the event of an order cancellation.