Background
The Boulder County Resource Conservation Division (RCD) distributes $100,000* as part of its Zero Waste Funding Program. Please submit any questions via email to obtain clarification of requirements concerning this funding opportunity by Friday, September 23, 2022. No inquiries will be accepted after this date. Inquiries should be directed to Cody Lillstrom at jlillstrom@bouldercounty.org. Responses to inquiries will be published on this webpage by Wednesday, September 28, 2022. Applicants are not to rely on any other statements that alter any specification or other term or condition of this funding opportunity.
The minimum funding amount available for a project is $1,000 with a maximum of $15,000. The use of matching funds is not required. Local governments, non-profit organizations, school districts, schools, and private companies may apply as long as the scope of work is in Boulder County and insurance requirements are met.
Application & Forms
Applications for the 2022 funding year are now being accepted. Proposals must be received at the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division office by 2 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022 to be considered. Send completed applications to jlillstrom@bouldercounty.org or mail them to Resource Conservation, C/O Cody Lillstrom, 1901 63rd St., Boulder, 80301.
- 2022 Zero Waste Funding Application
- 2022 Zero Waste funding Application (Word)
- Community Outreach Program Questions and Answers (coming soon)
Successful Applications from a Prior Year (for example)
- City of Lafayette/Boulder County Public Health Business Zero Waste Program
- Keep Magnolia Clean – Learning About Zero Waste Monthly Article Series
Eligibility Requirements and Project Criteria
Zero Waste Funding projects provide an opportunity for, organizations and businesses to participate in Boulder county’s vision of becoming a zero waste community and closing the waste loop through circular economy practices. The details of this vision are outlined in the Boulder County Zero Waste Action Plan. In addition to programs supported in prior years, the 2023 focus will be on circular economy progress and supporting the newly passed legislation in Colorado including; focus on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), plastic pollution reduction, and contamination in organic waste diversion. The county will also accept and consider applications for programs that fall outside of this limited focus. Established in 1997, this funding has awarded more than one million dollars for education and infrastructure initiatives that promote waste reduction and diversion.
For More Information
For inquiries or clarification of this program, contact Cody Lillstrom, Zero Waste Program Manager, jlillstrom@bouldercounty.org
2021 Award Recipients
The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners awarded $100,000 to 11 waste reduction programs in November 2021 as part of the Resource Conservation Division’s Zero Waste Funding Program. Established in 1997, the Boulder County Zero Waste Funding program has awarded more than $1.1 million for education and infrastructure initiatives which promote waste reduction and diversion.
- BVSD Food Services to enhance and expand their food waste prevention program through education support and an incentive program.
- Eco-Cycle to employ photographic sensors which utilizes remote monitoring systems on dumpsters to develop new service approaches and ultimately reduce the emissions and costs associated with collections.
- The Town of Erie to provide Zero Waste kits that include compostable/recyclable-ware to vendors who apply for special events now required to be held as Zero Waste events.
- The Jamestown Area Community Foundation for the construction of a vermiculture facility and the purchase of worm composting bins and bearproofing.
- KGNU Community Radio to support their “Follow the Waste Stream Zero Waste Radio Series and Public Education Media Campaign”.
- The City of Lafayette to develop a comprehensive, centralized, localized, and interactive platform for residents to learn how to properly divert waste. The City of Longmont to increase bilingual Zero Waste education at targeted Longmont festivals in 2022.
- The City of Louisville to support a commercial waste diversion study and corresponding outreach in partnership with Eco-Cycle.
- The Town of Lyons to provide a drop off and pick up of yard/limb waste for residents who don’t have the resources (whether vehicle or mobility or other) to drop off on the spring diversion day.
- Resource Central to provide educational displays and bilingual signage, for the purposes of safety, inclusion, and community awareness to increase participation in Reuse.
- The Town of Superior to pilot the concept of co-operative “Co-op” composting where businesses share in the use of one large compost dumpster and the associated hauling costs. A chart with a detailed proposal analysis and scoring is attached to this document.