Once a year, and only once, Eco-Cycle writes to you—our community—to update you on our work and ask for your annual support. If you’re like me, you want to support organizations making the biggest difference in our increasingly challenging world. I truly believe in the work we are doing. It gives me hope in a time when it’s hard to hope.

Many people think of Eco-Cycle as Boulder County’s non-profit recycling organization, and of course that’s true. We are your 35-year-old community recycler, recovering more than 50,000 tons of materials each year. But when you support our organization, you’re supporting more than just recycling, you’re supporting “Eco-Cycling.” Our Zero Waste mission goes beyond environmental protection and resource conservation to the triple bottom line—creating a sustainable society socially, economically, and environmentally.

Take, for example, the quote above from a child in our community. She was a recipient of books donated through Eco-Cycle’s Book Reuse Project and one of the thousands of children here in Boulder County who, without this program, may not have a single book in their home. Since January 2004, we’ve donated nearly 96,500 used books (collected at our Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials, or CHaRM) to more than 40 charities and schools that serve children and families. The project goes on to support a whole network of those doing good work in our community, including a work program for developmentally disabled adults and a small, local business specializing in used books. We have a goal of collecting 25,000 books this next year to serve children in need, and you can help. Learn more and donate to this program online at www.ecocycle.org.

Eco-Cycle is partnering with many other sectors of our community to protect our environment, and in the course of that work, is improving our quality of life, boosting our local economy, and creating a more compassionate community. You can partner with us, too, by making a tax-deductible contribution, so we can continue our cutting-edge Zero Waste community programs, such as:

CHaRM: Center for Hard-to-Recycle MaterialsSince the CHaRM opened 10 years ago, we have processed more than 8.4 million pounds of materials—from electronics to yoga mats—helping 185,000 local residents do the right thing with these hard-to-recycle items. Many of the materials accepted at the CHaRM have a local—and even global—community ben-efit. Old bikes and computers are refurbished by our non-profit partners and get new owners who otherwise would not be able to afford these high-dollar purchases. Clothing and shoes are donated to Africa for reuse. Bike tubes are used by an entrepreneurial Boulder business to create accessories like bags and wallets.

Community Portal to All Things Zero Waste: www.ecocycle.orgThis year, Eco-Cycle revamped our website and is on track to top one million annual site visitors. It is now a gateway to everything you need to know to live sustainably, from our A-Z Recycling Guide for products from Appliances to Zippers, to the new online Eco-Store that takes the guesswork out of shopping “green” with staff recommended products.

P.O. Box 19006, Boulder, CO 80308 • 303.444.6634 • f: 303.444.6647 • www.ecocycle.org

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Junk MailGetting rid of unwanted mail has become a daily ritual in our culture. Eco-Cycle’s newest Zero Waste service for our community is called Stop Junk Mail for GOOD. It’s good for you and the planet since it prevents the destruction of our precious natural resources before it starts. (It takes 100 million trees to make U.S. junk mail each year.) We are partnering with national leader Catalog Choice and footing the bill to make this service available to all Boulder County residents and businesses free of charge. You can help support this innovative service by donating directly to our campaign at www.ecocycle.org/junkmail.

Holiday Guide to Reducing WasteFrom Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases by more than 25%. For the past seven years, Eco-Cycle has published our annual Holiday Guide. This Zero Waste resource is distributed for free to the community—including Boulder and Broomfield County school children—and is packed with easy and fun holiday ideas that are easy on the Earth too. Go to www.ecocycle.org/holidayguide to make your holidays less wasteful and more meaningful.

Green Star Schools ProgramNow in its eighth year, Eco-Cycle’s Green Star Schools program is making Zero Waste part of the daily routine for more than 11,825 students and teachers throughout Boulder County. This first-in-the-nation, award-winning program is reducing school trash going to the landfill by 66%, and instilling life-long environmental stewardship habits. One of the innovative waste reduction programs we’ve implemented at these and other Boulder County public schools is also engaging students in the social benefits of reuse: Annual “Locker Leftovers” and classroom cleanout events help students recycle their excess school supplies and materials at the end of the year. Eco-Cycle then redistributes the materials to non-profit children’s programs in the community. You can sponsor school waste reduction projects like this by donating online at www.ecocycle.org/sponsor.

Boulder County Recycling CenterIn July 2011, the Boulder County Recycling Center marked its 10th anniversary. Since the facility opened, Eco-Cycle has processed 425,000 tons of traditional recyclable materials. We’ve created 70 local green jobs and saved the greenhouse gas equivalent of taking 319,500 cars off the road for a year. In good economic times, the facility returns surplus revenues into the County Recycling Fund, which then pays for facility equipment upgrades and community education programs (the Eco-Cycle operating fee is fixed).

Please join us in our efforts to make Boulder County a model of sustainability for Colorado and the world. You can give online at www.ecocycle.org or mail a donation in the enclosed envelope. Together we can create a Zero Waste community that not only takes care of the Earth but also takes care of each other.

Yours for the Planet,

Eric LombardiExecutive Director

P.S. Become a Zero Waste Champion by signing up for a recurring monthly donation. It’s easy, secure and helps sustain our mission all year long! Go to www.ecocycle.org to learn more and start giving today.

P.P.S. Donate by December 19, 2011 and have your $3 facility fee at the CHaRM waived! (Individual recycling fees still apply.)