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Annual circular economy funding application period now open

Local businesses and organizations can apply for a share of the $100K grant funding until Sept. 6
Community Submission
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Boulder County Logo Source: Boulder County website

NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY
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It’s that time of year again when local businesses and organizations can apply for county Zero Waste funds to help launch or grow their circular economy-related projects or programs.

The application period is now open and closes on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Applications are currently available on the program webpage.

The Circular Economy Funding Program, formerly known as 'Zero Waste Funding', has been in place for the past 26 years and has provided over $1.5 million to local groups seeking to advance the circular economy and make a real impact on climate change through innovative and progressive projects that enhance resource conservation and foster circularity in Boulder County.  

Funding breakdown

The $100K total funding is divided into two funding categories for applicants: 

  • $25K dedicated to smaller projects with a minimum request of $1,000 and a maximum of $15,000 
  • $75K dedicated to larger projects with a minimum request of $30,000 and a maximum of $75,000 

The use of matching funds is not required. Local governments, non-profits, school districts, individual schools and private companies may apply as long as the scope of work is within Boulder County and county-related insurance requirements are met.  

“I really want to encourage any person, group, or business with an idea for preventing or even reducing non-recyclable, non-reusable, or non-compostable materials from being sent to a landfill,” said Public Works Resource Conservation Division Zero Waste program manager, Cody Lillstrom. “We have some incredibly smart and talented individuals in this area who I know can help further the county’s goal of eliminating waste and building the county and region’s circular economy.”  

The funds for this program come from the county’s sustainability tax. Examples of previous funding awards go Boulder Valley School District’s (BVSD) Food Services purchase and implementation of a system, LeanPath, to reduce food waste in their commercial kitchen that supplies food to all BVSD schools. 

For more information, visit the circular economy funding webpage, or contact Cody Lillstrom at [email protected] or call 720-564-2220.  

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