What is Zero Waste?
Zero Waste is a new waste
management strategy that is gaining acceptance across the United
States and in many countries around the world. Zero Waste is a
systems approach modeled on the waste-free and self-sustaining
systems seen in nature. It advocates eliminating waste as much
as possible and viewing the remaining “discards” as important
resources to be returned to the market place through recycling,
or to nature through composting.
In November 2005, the Boulder
County Commissioners passed a
resolution setting the
county on a path to achieve a goal of "Zero Waste - or darn
near."
Safeguarding our land, air, water and resources
The
manufacturing process consumes large amounts of energy and
resources, and generates a high quantity of waste even before it
reaches the consumer. Products that aren't reused or recycled
can then contribute to toxic emissions, water contamination and,
of course, our overflowing landfills.
Reducing waste, recycling, reusing products and
composting helps stanch the tidal wave of trash filling our
landfills - but it also has many more benefits:
- Prevents pollution produced during manufacturing and
transport
- Reduces toxic chemicals produced during production
and/or released in landfills
- Conserves energy
- Conserves resources
- Saves trees and other natural resources, thus preserving
habitat
- Reduces the price of resources such as aluminum
- Protects watersheds, lakes and streams from waste and
pollution
- Provides economic opportunities in resale and reuseable
materials
Boulder County's Commitment
Boulder County's
Resource Conservation Division manages operations of the
Boulder County
Recycling Center, provides
hazardous household
waste disposal, and operates waste-transfer and drop-off
recycling sites in Boulder's mountain communities and on the
plains. The division
also provides countywide public
education and outreach and other
resource-related services.
Please visit the
Resource Conservation Division web site
for information
about recycling, composting, programs and services, tours, and
ways you can incorporate waste reduction and resource
conservation in your daily life.
Beyond Recycling
In addition to Resource Conservation, Boulder County
incorporates policies and practices that promote resource
conservation, composting and waste reduction. All of our offices
are equipped with mixed paper and commingled container (glass, plastic,
aluminum) recycling bins. Many offices also have composting bins
for food scraps and other biodegradeable materials. County
offices recycle their electronic wastes and rechargeable
batteries, and recycle or dispose of any hazardous wastes
generated.
Additionally, employees are educated about and encouraged to
purchase materials that can be replaced or removed from the
solid-waste stream - items such as compostable eating utensils,
recyclable paper and used furniture and office supplies.
County policy requires that all paper purchased be a minimum
of 50-percent post-consumer recycled content, and purchase orders that
do not meet this standard are automatically switched to do so.
Bidders and vendors are also required to meet a number of
"Zero-Waste" standards in order to qualify for County contracts
and purchases.
For more information about these and other zero waste
policies, visit the purchasing policies Web site.
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