Boulder helps businesses comply with zero-waste ordinance

Boulder citizens value the beautiful natural environment where we’re lucky enough to live, and our city reflects these values as a global sustainability leader. However, despite our collective focus and goals, many Boulderites might be surprised to learn we still send about two-thirds of our total waste to the landfill.

Through a myriad of programs, incentives and ordinances, the city of Boulder has attempted to stimulate recycling and composting efforts, and the reason is simple: they estimate 90 percent of what we send to the landfill could be redirected, reused, recycled or composted. While the city’s efforts have certainly helped — Boulder’s recycling and compost rate of 34 percent is more than three times the state average — we can do better. In fact, Boulder is committed to becoming a zero-waste community — by decreasing the quantity of waste we generate and then reusing, recycling and composting nearly all of what we throw away — by 2025.

Last June, the Boulder City Council officially approved the Universal Zero Waste Ordinance — which aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill in order to assist the community in reaching one of its sustainability goals. The ordinance is now being enforced, and several components impact Boulder business and property managers. I touched upon many areas in my last column, but to quickly recap:

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• All properties — residential, commercial and multi-family — must now subscribe to not only trash, but recycling and composting service for their tenants and occupants.
• All businesses must separate recyclables and compostables from the trash by providing properly labeled containers and signage inside their business.
• While this may seem like a lot to undertake, the City has a number of services and resources to assist everyone in complying with the new ordinance.

Get help from the city of Boulder

Boulder businesses have access to free compliance assistance from their “Zero Waste Advisors”. These advisers are members of Boulder County’s Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) team which receives funding from the city to provide this implementation support.  This support includes:

• Addressing barriers to adding composting and recycling service at your property.
• Determining the best location to place zero waste bins.
• Obtaining standard signage or custom signage for your property.
• Educating tenants and employees on new requirements and zero waste best practices.

With overall sustainability goals in mind, these advisors can also offer assistance with energy and water saving opportunities for your business.   To receive help from a Zero Waste Advisor, simply call 303-441-1931, or email ZeroWaste@bouldercolorado.gov.

Financial incentives*

The city of Boulder also provides financial incentives to help offset some of the costs associated with starting a new recycling or compost program for your business.

• Interior collection bins/compostable bags: The city will rebate 50 percent of costs (total rebate up to $1,000) toward the purchase of interior bins, signage and compostable bin liners. You can order through your own office supply company or contact the City for assistance.  Rebate forms are available at zerowasteboulder.com

• New Enclosure:   This program will fund up to 50 percent of the cost of outdoor enclosure expansions needed to accommodate proper containers for landfill, recycling and compost collection. Grant amounts awarded subject to staff discretion. Please contact Jamie Harkins at HarkinsJ@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-1846 to learn more.

Additionally, Boulder County provides rebates of $150 for businesses that start either new compost or recycling service.  Check Boulder County’s site for more info on this opportunity: www.bouldercounty.org/env/recycle/pages/zwforbusinesses.aspx

*All rebates subject to funding availability

Online tools and assistance

On the city’s website (www.zerowasteboulder.com), the city provides a free property owner toolkit with steps on how to comply with the ordinance as well as a training video to help you start the process of adding recycling and/or compost service.  The website also provides free recycling and composting signs, including stock signs you can download and print. Your business can also order up to three sets of laminated posters and bin labels at no charge. If you’d like custom signs, the city can help you out there as well. Just contact ZeroWaste@bouldercolorado.gov for instructions on how to submit photographs and get custom signs created — free of charge.

The city has also created a “What Goes Where?” page for a full list of Boulder’s zero-waste facilities, services and helpful tips and tricks in order to properly dispose of most general waste items, and step-by-step Zero Waste training videos available in both English and Spanish.

The city of Boulder is a leader in reducing environmental impact in many ways, and Western Disposal applauds their efforts to not only lead the way in our community’s goals of reducing, re-using and recycling, but also in providing tools and leadership to encourage everyone to take part.  At Western Disposal, we all believe that it takes everyone from consumers to businesses, local government and companies like ours — to meet Boulder’s overall sustainability goals. We take pride in being a valued community partner in these efforts and work hard to provide our customers both the services and the support to ensure these programs can succeed.

Kevin Afflerbaugh is environmental coordinator for Western Disposal Services Inc. He can be reached at 303-448-2332 or kafflerbaugh@westerndisposal.com.