For as long as we’ve been around, we’ve heard our name used as a verb. “Can you tell me where I can Eco-Cycle my refrigerator?” It does make sense, given that it was Eco-Cycle who first offered recycling opportunities in Boulder County 26 years ago. So what does it mean to Eco-Cycle? I’ll give you a hint … it’s a lot more than just sorting your paper from your cans!

Eco-Cycle (ek’ o-si’kel) v.

1. To support mission-driven recycling. Community education is our reason for living. We’re not just about picking up materials and processing them. These bottles, cans, newspapers, electronics, etc., are natural resources and we recycle all the materials we can because it means the natural resources stay where they belong… in nature!

3. To educate and push the edge of resource conservation. Eco-Cycle is committed to developing markets for more types of materials, and exploring recycling and composting opportunities for our community—even for materials that are not profitable.

4. To live lightly upon the earth and minimize the environmental impacts of our lifestyle. There are a zillion ways to do this, but the biggie here is to make a commitment to consume less of everything, including water, energy, and products and packaging since everything we use starts out as a natural resource somewhere in the wilds.

5. To resist the throw-away products of the world. Even though it’s “cheaper” at the moment to buy the inexpensive plastic version of a product, it’s not sustainable. The goal is to acquire well-built and repairable products to get the maximum use over time of the resources used to make them. And to first seek out used products in the paper or at a garage sale.

6. To support and practice environmental advocacy. Be an environmental example to your children, peers and workmates. Discuss and educate your friends and family. Be active in local politics, write letters to the editor, make phone calls to Council members and attend crucial public meetings.

7. To support a new vision of the future. Every dollar or volunteer hour we get supports our current Strategic Plan of creating a local “Zero Waste” culture that diverts 90% of our “waste” away from landfills, and creates a local culture of green purchasing so that our stores offer more environmental choices. The opportunities to do good are endless. Thus, to “Eco-Cycle” is to dream and act for a better future.

So says Webster…or it should.