Boulder, CO Declaring a Zero Waste Community

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 5/2/06
Source File: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/files/Environmental%20Affairs/Waste%20Reduction/r-zero_waste_final_5-02-06.pdf
Text:
A RESOLUTION DECLARING BOULDER A ZERO WASTE COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS, an estimated 156,773 tons of waste is generated in the city of Boulder each
year by residents, businesses and institutions and approximately 70% of this amount is sent
for landfill disposal;
WHEREAS, though the city of Boulder has reached an overall recycling rate of more than
30% percent, more can be done, especially in “closing the loop” by purchasing products
made with recycled content;
WHEREAS, the placement of materials in waste disposal facilities, such as landfills and
incinerators wastes natural resources, transfers liabilities to future generations and has the
potential to cause damage to human health;
WHEREAS, avoiding the creation of waste or discards in the first place is the most
economically efficient and environmentally sustainable resource management strategy;
WHEREAS, a resource recovery-based economy will create and sustain more productive
and meaningful jobs than a disposal-based economy;
WHEREAS, with the appropriate economic incentives, manufacturers can and will
produce and businesses will sell products that are durable and repairable and that can be
safely recycled back into the marketplace or nature;
WHEREAS, government can be ultimately responsible for establishing criteria needed to
eliminate waste, for creating the economic and regulatory environment in which to achieve
it, and for leading by example, and
WHEREAS, the city of Boulder has positioned itself as an environmental leader among
local governments by adopting environmental initiatives, programs and policies including
the broad community vision contained in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, City
Council’s Environmental Sustainability Goal, city recycling and environmental purchasing
policies, and the city Master Plan for Waste Reduction,
WHEREAS, the guiding principles of zero waste are: managing resources instead of
waste, conserving natural resources through waste prevention and recycling, turning
discarded resources into jobs and new products instead of trash, promoting products and
materials that are durable and recyclable, and discouraging products and materials that can
only become trash after their use.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
The city of Boulder 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. This goal must be addressed through the choices Council will make in the
context of the city’s Business Plan and annual budget processes, by initiating action plans
and measures that significantly reduce waste and pollution. These measures will include
encouraging residents, businesses and agencies through incentives and legislation to
judiciously use, reuse, and recycle materials, as well as to motivate businesses to
manufacture and market less toxic and more durable, repairable, reusable, recycled, and
recyclable products. In all cases, the guiding principles of the city’s Master Plan for Waste
Reduction will be followed. Mandatory programs will be employed only if the
infrastructure exists and if convenient, voluntary programs prove not to be successful.
The city of Boulder will also review its own policies, contracts, and standard operating
procedures to incorporate zero waste provisions and actions into all aspects of its
organizational culture to encourage the use of materials and products that are durable,
repairable, and reusable, have a minimum of packaging, toxic content or chemical hazard
potential, are resource and energy efficient in their manufacture, use and disposal, and in
their use or disposal minimize or eliminate the city's potential environmental liability.
Category:City Governments
Category:Colorado
Category:Resolutions
Category:Zero Waste