Explore Zero Waste Toolkits

Turning Zero Waste goals into measurable results requires more than good intentions—it takes an alignment of policy, infrastructure, and public participation that actually works on the ground. Eco-Cycle’s consulting services help municipalities move from planning to implementation with practical, scalable strategies built for real-world success.

For five decades, Eco-Cycle has partnered with municipalities, businesses, and residents to turn circular economy principles into functional systems. We can work with your community to design effective ordinances, build community buy-in through expert education and outreach strategies, and optimize operations. Our approach bridges strategy and execution so your community can achieve lasting impacts. 

Learn more about our consulting services, or start a conversation with our team here.

Tools for Composting and Building a Circular Organics Economy

Municipalities play a vital role in keeping organic materials (food scraps and yard trimmings) out of landfills and advancing composting to achieve Zero Waste and climate goals. Eco-Cycle has worked with businesses and municipalities to develop actionable tools and policies to advance organics diversion and the use of clean compost and mulch. Utilize these resources to build effective, sustainable composting programs that benefit your community and the environment:

• Using Local Compost and Mulch in Colorado: Guide for Municipalities: This guide highlights how circular systems for organic materials can be uniquely hyperlocal—processing food scraps and yard trimmings through community programs or local businesses to create compost and mulch that restore local soils. Showcasing examples from Colorado communities building successful local organics systems, this toolkit was created to accompany an ordinance or procurement policy for the use of locally-created compost and mulch on municipal infrastructure projects. Please email [email protected] for sample policy language.
  
• Municipal Blueprint for Composting Report: Together with the Closed Loop Partners, Eco-Cycle created this actionable framework for counties, cities, and towns to develop and scale food scraps collection and organics management programs. The blueprint guides municipal leaders through policy and infrastructure development, and through strategies to engage residents and businesses and partner with composters. Use the ready-to-print communication toolkit to engage participants, support proper sorting, and maximize program success.
• Colorado’s Clean Compost Campaign Toolkit: Keeping Colorado’s compost clean starts with all of us—businesses, residents, haulers, and municipalities—working together. By ensuring that food scraps and yard trimmings are free from contamination, we can create high-quality compost that enriches soils, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports healthy, carbon-absorbing landscapes. Eco-Cycle’s provides ready-to-use resources to engage your community effectively. From bilingual guidelines for residents and businesses to customizable signage, graphics, and social media materials, these tools make it simple to show what belongs in the compost stream—and what doesn’t. 

Tools for Implementing Colorado’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Act

The following resources help businesses and communities successfully implement Colorado’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (HB21-1162) and reduce single-use plastics statewide. Created by Eco-Cycle, these tools support education, outreach, and ongoing community engagement to help build long-term behavior change and lasting impact. 

• The Plastic Pollution Reduction Act toolkit offers ready-to-use resources for municipalities, retailers, and food establishments to raise awareness about plastic pollution, highlight Colorado’s leadership, and support compliance. From employee training tools to customer-facing materials, you’ll find everything you need to make the changes from plastic bags and polystyrene food containers to more sustainable options. 
• The Guide to Sustainable Serviceware helps restaurants, food prep businesses, and municipalities transition to more sustainable alternatives—reducing waste, lowering costs, and supporting healthier communities. The guide, available in English and Spanish, offers practical recommendations for serviceware choices, disposal considerations, and tips for changing behaviors to reduce waste. By adopting these practices, businesses not only comply with Colorado’s polystyrene ban but also showcase their environmental leadership, attract eco-conscious customers, and boost employee pride. 

Zero Waste Schools Activity Guide

Eco-Cycle’s Zero Waste Schools Activity Guide helps educators, camps, and youth programs engage children and families in practical, creative ways to reduce waste, recycle properly, and compost effectively. Offering low-cost, hands-on activities divided into sections such as Waste Reduction, Recycling, Composting, and Motivators & Rewards, it’s easy to integrate lessons at any age or setting. By using these activities, students not only learn sustainable habits, but they also bring positive change home, reducing the community’s impact on natural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and ecosystems. Download the full guide or individual sections to start inspiring Zero Waste action!

Reuse

Eco-Cycle partnered with the City of Boulder to launch the Reuse Hub for Boulder and Beyond, a new online resource designed to accelerate the circular economy across communities from Fort Collins to Boulder County, and down to Denver and Colorado Springs. 

The Reuse Hub is built as a two-sided platform: one side helps residents and shoppers easily find reuse, refill, and repair options in their daily lives, while the other provides businesses with the tools, visibility, and incentives they need to expand and promote their reuse offerings. The hub is designed to make participation in reuse systems accessible, straightforward, and more of a societal norm.