CITY RECYCLING CENTER INCLUDES CENTER FOR HARD TO RECYCLE MATERIALS

As described in a feature article in Public Works (January, 2004), the Boulder Recycling Center, completed in 2001, is owned by the City and operated by Eco-Cycle, a nonprofit launched in 1976, now with a staff of 55. Recently, Eco-Cycle added the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (ChaRM) which handles computers, TVs, cell phones, old running shoes and much more. Eco-Cycle has contracts with both the country and city, as well as neighboring cities of Longmont, Louisville and Broomfield to process recyclables. Trash collection is done by private haulers who charge a set fee for a 32 gallon trash container, but must take recyclables free. Working toward zero waste is a constant goal of Eco-Cycle – through its ChaRM program as well as its working with manufacturers and packages to design products with 100 percent recycling in mind. “To move manufacturers in this direction,” points out the Public Works article, “Eco-Cycle provides a consulting service – Eco-Cycle Institute – to show them what can be recycled and how to make products more recycle-friendly.”