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      • Zero Waste Is a Climate Change Solution
      • Why Zero Waste Is Often Left Out of Climate Action Plans

    • Zero Waste Benefits People
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    • Zero Waste Benefits the Planet
      • Pollution & Public Health
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  • OUR PROGRAMS

    • Reducing Plastics
      • The Global Plastics Crisis
      • Eliminating Problematic Plastics
      • Better Recycling Starts with Better Product Design
      • Producer Responsibility to Reduce Plastics
      • Campaigns & Policies to Reduce Plastics
      • The Problem with Microplastics

    • Composting and Carbon Farming
      • Building a Circular Compost System
      • What Is Carbon Farming?
      • Carbon Farming in Boulder County
      • Microbe Brew Compost Tea
      • What Is Biochar?
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      • The State of Recycling & Composting in Colorado
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  • ECO-LIVING

    • Refuse and Reduce
      • Why Reduce?
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      • How to Stop Junk Mail
      • Reduce Your Plastic Use
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      • Be Straw Free

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      • Why Recycle?
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  • GUIDES & RESOURCES

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Reuse Guide for Boulder County

Before you buy new, consider buying reused to save money and our natural resources.

Reuse Guide for Boulder County

Before you buy new, consider buying reused to save money and our natural resources.

Reuse Guide for Boulder County

Before you buy new, consider buying reused to save money and our natural resources.

Reuse Guide for Boulder County

  • Tour de Thrift Map

Reusing is even better than recycling.

As the second R in the old adage (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Reuse holds an important place in a Zero Waste economy and lifestyle. Reusing means extending the life of an item by using it more than once, a practice that saves time, money, energy, and resources when compared to buying new. Reuse also helps our local economy by creating jobs and providing quality products to people and organizations with limited means.

How do I choose reuse? 

There are countless ways you can choose to reuse in your daily life—everything from carrying your own refillable water bottle to donating your unwanted couch. Shopping at secondhand, consignment, and thrift stores or browsing online exchange sites before you head to the store to buy something new are great ways to contribute to the reuse economy and to save money too.

When you do buy something new, choose higher-quality, well-known, durable products expected to last a long time over their cheaper counterparts. It may cost more up-front, but you’ll save money in the long run by not having to replace poorly made products.

Reuse in Boulder County

Boulder County has a wealth of great secondhand stores for clothing, furniture, books, and more. Shop these outlets first, instead of buying new, to reduce your impact on our environment, promote Zero Waste, support our local economy, and save money, too!

We’ve pulled together a map of secondhand stores in the area to help you chart your course to less waste!

Tour de Thrift Map: An Interactive Reuse Guide for Secondhand Shopping in Boulder County

Reuse Guide for Boulder County

  • Tour de Thrift Map

Reuse Programs in Boulder County

These facilities offer secondhand goods and a way for you to donate your own unwanted but reusable items.

Art Parts Creative Reuse Center

3080 Valmont Rd., Boulder • 720-379-5328

Sells new and gently used craft, school, and art supplies at a discount. Accepts craft/school/art product donations. Also offers unique industry-surplus items.


Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF)

1901 63rd St., Boulder • 720-564-2251

The HMMF has a free reuse shop where you can find auto and hobby products, garden and yard products, home maintenance and cleaning products, paint, and more.


Eco-Cycle/City of Boulder Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM)

6400 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder • 303-444-6634

The CHaRM accepts books, clothing, shoes, and other materials for reuse. Learn more at What We Accept at the CHaRM.


Resource Central

6400 Arapahoe Ave. • 303-419-5418

Resource Central accepts donations of reusable building materials, tools, and other household items for resale. Peruse items that are frequently in stock on their website. Another great program facilitated by Resource Central is their Tool Library, where you can borrow a specific tool for a project. Some fees apply.


Boulder Public Library

Multiple locations • 303-441-3100

Find a location near you and borrow books, movies, music, and more.


 

Online Tools

Craigslist

Craigslist is the biggest, fastest-moving exchange site. Find anything from expensive cars to free shelves in Boulder County.


Boulder Freecycle

Freecycle is a grassroots network of local people who post and trade free unwanted items.


BCycles

Rent bikes in and around Boulder and Denver.


Colorado CarShare

For Boulder and Denver, including CU.


Nextdoor.com

Get updates from your neighbors about garage sales, giveaways, and other opportunities to reuse locally.

Related Pages

Tour de Thrift Map

Repair Resources

Reuse and Share Portal

Responsive Menu
  • ABOUT US
    ▼
    • Our Mission
      ▼
      • Our Vision & Theory of Change
      • Our History
      • AMBR
    • Our Work
      ▼
      • Social Enterprise
      • Annual Reports
      • Media Center
    • Our People
      ▼
      • Board of Directors
      • Career Opportunities
      • Volunteer with Us
    • Our Policies
      ▼
      • JEDI Mandate
      • Privacy Policy
  • LEARN ABOUT ZERO WASTE
    ▼
    • Zero Waste 101
      ▼
      • What Is Zero Waste?
      • What Is Producer Responsibility?
      • Resource Library
    • Zero Waste and Climate
      ▼
      • A Climate Change Solution
      • Left Out of Climate Action Plans
    • Zero Waste Benefits People
      ▼
      • Zero Waste & Social Justice
      • Jobs & Economic Benefits
    • Zero Waste Benefits the Planet
      ▼
      • Pollution & Public Health
      • Resource Conservation
  • SERVICES AND FACILITIES
    ▼
    • Eco-Cycle CHaRM Facility
      ▼
      • CHaRM Fees
      • What We Accept
    • Boulder County Recycling Center
    • Other Zero Waste Facilities
    • Zero Waste Hauling & Consulting
  • OUR PROGRAMS
    ▼
    • Reducing Plastics
      ▼
      • The Global Plastics Crisis
      • Eliminating Problematic Plastics
      • Better Product Design
      • Plastics Producer Responsibility
      • Campaigns & Policies
      • The Problem with Microplastics
    • Composting & Carbon Farming
      ▼
      • A Circular Compost System
      • What Is Carbon Farming?
      • Carbon Farming in BoCo
      • Microbe Brew Compost Tea
      • What Is Biochar?
      • State & National Efforts
    • Zero Waste Colorado
      ▼
      • State of Recycling & Composting
      • Statewide Campaigns
      • Community Campaigns
      • Zero Waste Denver Campaign
      • Implementing the PPRA
        ▼
        • For Municipalities
        • For Businesses
        • For Communities
    • Boulder County Zero Waste Model
      ▼
      • Zero Waste Policies
      • Zero Waste Programs
        ▼
        • Schools Programs Overview
        • Eco-Leader Volunteer Network
        • Event Services
  • ECO-LIVING
    ▼
    • Refuse & Reduce
      ▼
      • Why Reduce?
      • Reducing Waste Starts at Home
      • How to Stop Junk Mail
      • Reduce Your Plastic Use
      • How to Reduce Food Waste
      • Be Straw Free
    • Reuse, Repair & Share
      ▼
      • Reusables as a Solution
      • Repair Resources
      • Reuse and Share Portal
      • Tour de Thrift
      • Zero Waste Holiday Guide
    • Recycling 101
      ▼
      • Why Recycle?
      • The Truth About Plastics Recycling
      • Recycling Myths
      • Household Hazardous Waste
    • Composting 101
      ▼
      • Why Compost?
      • Backyard Composting
      • Curbside Composting
      • Composting with Worms
      • Winter Composting
  • GUIDES & RESOURCES
    ▼
    • Guides for Boulder County
      ▼
      • Recycling Guide
      • Composting Guide
        ▼
        • Changing Compost Guidelines
        • Compost Guidelines FAQs
        • Clean Compost Toolkit
      • Reuse Guide
      • Repair Guide
      • Hazardous Waste Guide
    • Research and Reports
      ▼
      • 2022 SoRC Report
      • Composting in Denver Report
      • Chemical Recycling Report
      • Microplastics in Compost
      • More Reports
    • Resource Library
      ▼
      • Guidelines
      • Videos
      • Toolkits
      • Fact Sheets
    • Popular Tools
      ▼
      • Recycling Sorting Game
      • The Eco-Cycle Guide
      • How to Stop Junk Mail
      • ZW Schools Activity Guide
      • PPRA Toolkit
      • Clean Compost Toolkit
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A-Z RECYCLING GUIDE


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Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 19006
Boulder, CO 80308

Office & CHaRM Address:
6400 Arapahoe Rd.
Boulder, CO 80303

Recycle Hotline:
303.444.6634