Local nonprofits Resource Central and Eco-Cycle break ground on facility improvements at 6400 Arapahoe
BOULDER – February 16, 2021 – Local residents helping to reduce waste will see significant improvements coming to Boulder’s recycling and reuse facilities at 6400 Arapahoe Road.
Resource Central, the conservation-focused nonprofit which operates a building material reuse program, and neighboring nonprofit Eco-Cycle, which operates the Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM), kicked off major upgrades this week to increase waste diversion.
After a frigid weekend, the timely improvements include insulating and heating their shared warehouse, and adding LED lighting, racking for materials, and public bathrooms. Future phases include covering the outdoor materials yard to reduce weather impacts and adding solar electricity generation.
“Reducing waste is one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon emissions,” said Neal Lurie, president of Resource Central. “These facility improvements will increase capacity to help the community divert twice as many building materials from landfills while preventing snow and rain from damaging materials.”
The renovations have been in the works for more than a decade, and coincide with Eco-Cycle’s 20th anniversary of CHaRM.
“In 2020, we helped a record-breaking 56,000 residents and businesses from Boulder County and beyond process their hard-to-recycle materials at the CHaRM,” said Suzanne Jones, executive director of Eco-Cycle. “As CHaRM celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, these welcomed upgrades will make it easier to meet the significant growth in customers and volumes we are experiencing.”
Both facilities will remain open during construction, which will continue through summer. The improvements are partially funded with support from the Community Culture and Safety tax which was approved by Boulder voters in 2017. The nonprofits’ programs operate in partnership with the City of Boulder. Additional funding comes from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Boulder County and the City of Boulder.
“As we move towards a circular economy, where we reuse or repurpose items before they become waste, services like those offered at Resource Central and CHaRM are critical,” said Kara Mertz, sustainability manager with the City of Boulder. “The improvements at 6400 Arapahoe are investments in our sustainable future.”
Over the past 20 years, the recycling and reuse facilities have diverted more than 100 million pounds of materials from landfills, which represents significant greenhouse gas and resource savings and reflects how much our local communities care about their environmental footprint.
About Resource Central:
Founded in 1976, Resource Central is an innovative nonprofit dedicated to putting conservation into action. Its programs have helped more than 600,000 families save water, reduce waste, and conserve energy. Learn more at ResourceCentral.org.
About Eco-Cycle:
Also founded in 1976, Eco-Cycle is a nonprofit social enterprise that innovates, implements and advocates for local and global Zero Waste solutions to foster a more sustainable, equitable and climate-resilient future. In addition to running the CHaRM, Eco-Cycle operates the Boulder County Recycling Center, teaches in the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts, and advocates for policy change at the CO state legislature and in communities in Boulder County and beyond. Go to www.ecocycle.org to join our efforts.
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