Case Study: Getting to Zero Waste

Disposable has its impact, no matter what. When planning a project, make every effort possible to recycle materials.

Eco-Cycle is 33 years old and started at a time when recycling wasn’t the household word that it is now.  Thanks to the efforts of Eco-Cycle’s founders, Boulder became one of the first communities around the nation to have curbside recycling.  The organization is the oldest and largest nonprofit recycler in the country.

Today, the organization calls its mission Zero Waste.  “We are part of a global movement going beyond recycling to prevent the environmental destruction and pollution that happens before a consumer even sees a product,” says Marti Matsch, communications director. “For every can of garbage at the curb, there are 71 cans created in resource extraction and manufacturing.  We are working to redesign manufacturing processes to create products that use resources more efficiently, are non-toxic and that can be reused, recycled or composted at the end of their useful lives.”

To that end, Eco-Cycle offers Zero Waste consulting services for community event planners, as well as schools and businesses.  From large-scale community events to private birthday parties, Eco-Cycle helps planners to achieve their environmental goal of reducing waste.  They advise event planners to:

• First, select products that are reusable.  Eco-Cycle helps planners set guidelines, then works with event vendors to ensure that they understand and adhere to the guidelines. 
• Consider compostable/recyclable products second.  “Be careful: not all products labeled biodegradable are really compostable,” says Marti Matsch, communications director at Eco-Cycle. “There’s a lot of greenwashing and claims that something containing a blend of plant-based and petroleum-based  materials is biodegradable. You need to make sure it’s really compostable and contains no plastic.”  Matsch recommends BPI certified products.
• Buy products with recycled content, specifically “post-consumer “recycled products.  Post-consumer refers to products made from materials collected in a recycling program (as opposed to pre-consumer materials, which is simply paper trim waste from the printer’s floor.) Choosing post-consumer closes the loop and creates a demand for recycling.
• Set up a Zero Waste station with a bin for recycling, composting and reuse (when applicable), with clear signage and staffed with trained volunteers who help attendees understand what to do with materials.
• Look for reusable options.  Instead of hundreds of single-serving water bottles, get a dispenser and buy refillable five-gallon water jugs.  Provide washable cups for volunteers or ask volunteers to bring their own.  Provide tape and a marker, so volunteers can label their cups.
• Be prepared for leftovers.  Bring containers to take food home or make arrangements for it to be picked up by a local soup kitchen.  Preparing for reuse from beginning to end makes sense.

Eco-Cycle has created Zero Waste event kits to make this process as simple as possible.  They include compostable tableware made from plant starches instead of plastic, a cardboard compost collection box and compostable liner bag, table signs informing guests how to participate in the Zero Waste event, and detailed instructions. While the kit is only available locally, the organization provides tips on its website, along with recommendations for vendors.  A training for event planners to “do it yourself” – complete with videos, presentations, and quizzes - is in the works and soon to be available online.