On the Road to Zero Waste in Boulder County

Boulder County adopts Zero Waste

Boulder County Commissioners passed a Zero Waste resolution in 2005. Through the resolution, the county adopted Zero Waste as a guiding principle for all county government operations, and for outreach activities and waste reduction strategies within the community. The ultimate goal of Boulder County’s Zero Waste Plan is to design systems that eliminate the production of waste and achieve Zero Waste or “darn near” by 2025. Read the county resolution and learn more about the county's Zero Waste efforts.

Unincorporated county residents (outside mountainous areas) have curbside single-stream recycling and composting service.

City of Boulder adopts Zero Waste

In May 2006, Boulder City Council passed a Zero Waste resolution which “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.” Read the City of Boulder resolution.

City of Boulder residents have pay-as-you-throw single-stream recycling and single-family households have curbside composting services.

City of Longmont adopts Zero Waste

The City of Longmont adopted Zero Waste in October 2008 and according to the ordinance, "The City hereby declares itself a Zero Waste Community and 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." Read the City of Longmont's Zero Waste resolution and learn more about Longmont's Zero Waste efforts.

City of Longmont residents have curbside single-stream recycling.

City of Louisville

In early 2009, the City of Louisville contracted with a local hauler to provide recycling, composting and trash services to all non-HOA residents at a price comparable to what many were paying for fewer services. Read about the city's curbside programs and how they benefit residents (p.4).

City of Lafayette

The city of Lafayette was the first in the Rocky Mountain region to offer residents universal curbside recycling service through a city contract with a local hauler. Read more about the impact of the city's program (p.2).

Zero Waste Community Partners

Zero Waste is not just a principle to be adopted by governments--every sector has an important role to play. Look for these window clings in your community to identify businesses, governments, schools, and citizens on the road to Zero Waste:

Zero Waste is also an important part of our local communtiy events and festivals. Learn how to make your next event Zero Waste, be it a huge summer festival or a backyard BBQ.

The Boulder Farmer's Market has been Zero Waste since 2005, the first ongoing Zero Waste event in the country.