Eco-Cycle and Recycling Authority 
Sign Off On Partnership

Not only did summer see construction begin on the new Boulder County Recyclables Processing Center, a significant milestone was reached in August when Eco-Cycle and the Boulder County Recycling and Composting Authority (BCRCA) shook hands and officially authorized the agreement that will have Eco-Cycle operating the center for the next five years. The two years of negotiations were a tremendous amount of work, but in the end, there’s one clear winner: the Boulder County community. “This is the next big step forward for Boulder County recycling,” said Eric Lombardi, Eco-Cycle Executive Director. “The community is getting a partnership that is focused on recycling growth and long-term financial sustainability, which should add up to more landfill diversion programs and opportunities.” 

The performance-based contract provides Eco-Cycle with incentives to increase county waste diversion rates, market processed materials to the highest bidder, and reduce facility operating costs. At the same time, safeguards have been put in place to address the ups and downs of the maturing recycling industry – and will ensure Eco-Cycle’s ability to continue its award-winning recycling education programs. Eco-Cycle’s formal responsibilities in operating the publicly-owned processing center will include processing and marketing the recyclable materials received at the center, inspecting, maintaining and repairing the processing equipment, and managing and training the facility’s staff. 

So get ready to break out the champagne and party hats! The new Recyclables Processing Center is set to become operational in July 2001, and Eco-Cycle will finally, after 25 years, be processing your recyclables inside a building.