Center for ReSource Conservation, Eco-Cycle, and Boulder County partner for
Earth Day water conservation & recycling event April 22-23
BOULDER COUNTY – April 19, 2016 – This Earth Day, hundreds of local families will trade in their old, water-wasting toilets for new, high-efficiency models saving millions gallons of water. It’s part of a new water conservation program of the nonprofit Center for ReSource Conservation in partnership with Boulder County.
Launched last month, nearly 600 local families are participating in this toilet upgrade program, collectively saving up to 180 million gallons of water over the 30-year expected life span of the 600 toilets. The old toilets will be collected at 6400 Arapahoe in East Boulder on Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, as part of the Earth Day events this weekend and more than 15,000 pounds of the porcelain will be recycled in coordination with local nonprofit Eco-Cycle.
Almost all of the water conserving Niagara Stealth-model toilets are now sold-out for 2016 under this program, though a small number of incentives are still available for Boulder County homeowners and landlords in Superior, Eldorado Springs, Allenspark, Jamestown, and a portion of Erie. The high-efficiency toilets are available for $50 through the Center for ReSource Conservation, which saves residents $100-$200 per toilet.
“Despite the recent snow, we still don’t have unlimited water in Boulder County,” said Morgan Shimabuku, who manages the nonprofit program. “This toilet upgrade program makes it easy to save water and money – conserving up to 300,000 gallons over the life of the toilet. It’s a no-brainer.”
This is part of a growing effort to conserve water as the statewide population soars. Colorado households use approximately 94 billion gallons of water, annually, for indoor use, according to the Colorado Water Conservation Board. An average of 25% is literally flushed down the toilet.
The toilets being distributed during the Earth Day event use up to 50-75% less water than typical models. With this year-long program nearly sold out in the first month, its popularity highlights the strength of public-private partnerships in tackling regional issues.
“Creative partnerships with innovative organizations are key to helping the community reach its sustainability goals,” said Susie Strife, Boulder County Sustainability Coordinator. “This water conservation program builds on the success of our other partnerships that are helping local residents save money on solar energy systems, electric vehicles, and electric bicycles. Together, we can cut emissions, conserve resources, and reduce waste.”
“Not only is this program conserving water, but it’s also helping the community meet our recycling goals and move towards Zero Waste,” said Eco-Cycle’s Dan Matsch who manages the CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials.) “And no better time to take action than on Earth Day.”
The exchange will include recycling of the outdated water guzzlers at the Eco-Cylce/City of Boulder CHaRM (Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials). The expected 15,000 pounds of porcelain will be crushed and turned into road base to be used here in Colorado. On average, nearly 60,000 pounds of porcelain from toilets are collected at the CHaRM annually and recycled, which helps conserve energy, water, and natural resources.
Learn more about the toilet upgrade program at: resourcecentral.org/HEtoilets. Visit www.ecocycle.org/charm/ to find out how you can recycle more than 160 hard-to-recycle materials.
Information on Boulder County electric vehicles discounts and other sustainability programs are available at: www.BoulderCountyDeals.org.
