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Not Just a Recycler: Reuse Makes the CHaRM Go Round
Reuse, which comes before Recycling in the EPA’s waste hierarchy, extends the life of an item and the value of the natural resources used to make it. At the Eco-Cycle/City of Boulder Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM), we go the...
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Waste Reduction in Action: Building Lifelong Habits Through Eco-Cycle’s Green Star Schools Program
By focusing on the first of the 5 Rs of waste reduction (reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, and “rot”), Eco-Cycle empowers students to make sustainable choices with lasting impact. At Eco-Cycle, we believe true sustainability begins with a mindset shift, rethinking...
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Eco-Cycle’s Local Response: The Truth About Recycling in Boulder County
Eco-Cycle has authored this local response, in addition to the response coauthored by the Alliance for Mission-Based Recycling (AMBR), to a recent NYT article that disparages the recycling industry. Eco-Cycle is a founding member of the Alliance for Mission-Based Recycling...
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AMBR’s Response: Lies About Lies About Recycling
Following the recent publication of a NYT article disparaging the recycling industry, the Alliance for Mission-Based Recycling (AMBR)—a coalition founded by four of the original pioneers of mission-driven, community-based nonprofit recycling in the US, including Eco-Cycle—has co-authored this response. This...
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Volunteer Opportunities and Events in and around Boulder, Colorado
Your home for Zero Waste volunteer opportunities and environmental events throughout Boulder County! Learn more about our volunteer program—the Eco-Leader Volunteer Network—here! Calling all Eco-Leaders! Looking for fun ways to get involved in the Zero Waste movement? Read on to...
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Bad News Bear Spray: How to Dispose of Expired Bear Spray
Old bear spray cans cannot be recycled. Spread the word to help Eco-Cycle keep bear spray OUT of single-stream recycling bins in Boulder County. This dangerous contaminant poses a safety risk to the employees sorting recyclables inside the recycling facility....
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Colorado’s Landmark Producer Responsibility Laws: What They Mean for Recycling and Zero Waste in the State
In 2022, Colorado passed landmark legislation, HB 22-1355 Producer Responsibility for Recycling Packaging and Paper, making it the third state in the country to pass this ambitious policy. Colorado's combined recycling and composting rate has remained steady at around 15%...
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From Land to Table to Landfill Part 2: The Downstream Impacts of a Plastic Fork
What does it take to make a plastic fork? More than you might think! In fact, the life cycle of a plastic fork is a reminder of the hidden health and environmental costs of convenience. As we explored in From...
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New Changes to Denver’s Waste Collection System: What You Need to Know
On January 1, 2025, Denver rolled out major updates to its waste collection system with the goal of making bigger impacts to reduce waste while optimizing the city’s resources. Here's what Denver residents need to know to keep up with...
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Fire Extinguisher Recycling & How to Recycle Smoke Detectors in Boulder County
Fire safety is top of mind for many of us right now. Make checking expiration dates on your extinguishers and smoke detectors part of your January home maintenance routine! Did you know that fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide...
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