In 2006, Boulder County Commissioners took an unusual step and adopted a resolution encouraging its government and residents to work toward creating ‘‘zero waste.”
The resolution by the three-member board meant that the county would devise a plan to reduce trash by 50 percent or better by 2010. The ultimate goal is the elimination of all waste by 2025.
The county has already upped its 50 percent goal by 2010 to 75 percent or higher.
Commissioner Will Toor (D), elected to the board in 2004, was instrumental in developing the resolution along with programs and policies designed to reduce trash.
From 1981-1984 and again from 1986-1987, Toor, 47, worked as a truck driver, mechanic and yard foreman for Boulder’s Eco-Cycle, which provides recycling to about 800 businesses and operates a community recycling center for items that are typically difficult to recycle.
Toor also served as the director of Colorado University’s Environmental Center from 1992-2005. He is an avid gardener, climber and bicycle commuter. ‘‘Boulder is defined by large community support for environmental initiatives,” he said.
The Gazette recently spoke with Toor by phone about Boulder’s zero-waste initiative and its recycling plans. The following is that exchange.
Is it possible to reacha goal of zero waste?
‘‘We’ll never get to zero waste, but we’re certainly headed in the right direction. We think we’re moving in the right direction with a combination of policies and different models. On the residential side, we’ve made it mandatory that all haulers collect recyclables. Waste haulers have to provide recycling, and in the near future, composting.”
Was it difficult to persuade residents to buy into the concept of zero waste?
‘‘As a whole, residents were very receptive, but we needed to have the right physical setup to make it easy for them. Residents now have a bin for regular trash and a bin for recycling. Soon, they’ll have a bin for composting. Any resident who has their garbage collected will be provided three bins.”
Did you have to educate people about zero waste?
‘‘Various municipalities have taken similar policy steps at various times. The City of Boulder adopted a zero-waste resolution with a 75 percent diversion rate. Many of the educational institutions in Boulder were already engaged in the concept, including the Boulder school district. Certainly, many residents were already interested in the idea and many government programs are pushed by the resident population.”
Has Boulder everconsidered an incinerator?
‘‘Certainly, at various times in the past, talk has been about a waste-to-energy [incinerator], but the direction instead has been the notion of a higher level of diversion [recycling].”
What is next?
‘‘I think we have to move more in the direction of mandatory recycling on the commercial side. On the residential side, it’s regulating the haulers. But the county only has jurisdiction in the unincorporated areas, and much of that is open space and rural, and not much business. The biggest challenge will be [trash] from construction and demolition and creating a market for that. That is our largest challenge.”
