November 2023

Welcome to Partners for a Clean Environment's (PACE) newsletter. PACE is your one-stop shop for business sustainability in Boulder County. This newsletter is emailed once a month and shares ways your business can save money and energy through sustainability and climate action initiatives.

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Zeal, a locally-owned restaurant in Boulder, is leading the charge for a sustainable takeout future. Wayde Jester, Zeal's manger and owner, has been using DeliverZero and other reusable serviceware for years, and is excited to build a movement across Boulder. “The more restaurants that use DeliverZero, the better and more adopted it will become." He adds, "Eventually, when enough businesses are doing this, people will start expecting reusables" and embrace them as a part of their lifestyle.

Another bonus? Financial savings. Over time, "you start saving money using sustainable and reusable products like DeliverZero, because you don’t have to keep buying single-use bags, or plastic straws, and instead you put that money towards quality materials."

Ready to give a reusable solution like DeliverZero a try? PACE has some great incentives to help you get started:

1. The City of Boulder offers a one-time incentive for 70% of project costs (up to $2,000) to help businesses switch to reusables, or try a third-party reusables service like r.Cup or DeliverZero. Eligible items include durable dishware, reusable takeout containers, and dishwashers.
2. New Pilot Announced! Upstream, a national nonprofit focused on helping people shift from disposable serviceware to reusable alternatives is offering a free, limited-time service to Boulder food service businesses on their new platform Chart-Reuse. Participation is easy and free. If you’d like to learn more, fill out this form and an Upstream team member will reach out to schedule a call to discuss your goals.

Please reach out to your PACE advisor for assistance with any incentives or resources at info@PACEpartners.com or 303-786-7223, or visit our waste reduction page here.

The 2023 Tamale Fair, hosted by the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County, is coming up soon! Get ready to savor mouthwatering tamales, celebrate rich Latino culture, take a ride-and-drive in an electric vehicle, and watch a wrestling show!.

Where: Longmont Museum (400 Quail Road in Longmont)

When: Saturday, November 18 from 2-7 PM

Want two free VIP passes? Sign up to volunteer! Shifts are 1.5-2.5 hours long, and you can enjoy the rest of the fest as a VIP. Sign up here.

Not interested in volunteering? No problem -- you can get your tickets here!

Boulder County composting guidelines no longer allow bags of any kind in compost. This means that paper bags, large bin liners, and other bags labeled "compostable" cannot be composted. The ONLY exception are small bin liners sized 3 gallons or smaller.

If your business uses large bin liners, check out this trick (starts at 0:45) that can be used to keep your bin or cart clean.

The Boulder County Resource Conservation Division is celebrating America Recycles Day on Wednesday, Nov. 15 with a Reduce and Reuse Showcase and after business hours self-guided tours of the Boulder County Recycling Center.

Enjoy a fun night of mingling, touring the facility, and learning from local businesses about reducing waste, reusing, and recycling. Food and drinks will be provided.

Where: Boulder County Recycling Center (1901 63rd Street in Boulder)

When: Wednesday November 15 at 5PM

Registration is required - sign up here!

Winter weather season has begun! Protect waterways this winter by shoveling snow onto vegetated areas and limiting the amount of deicer you use.

Melting snow will carry deicers and other pollutants into storm drains that drain directly to nearby streams. Deicers of any kind will negatively affect the environment in large quantities, so read the instructions and use them carefully. If using a deicer, apply it as soon as snowy or icy conditions appear.

Deicers help break the bond between ice and pavement to make shoveling easier. They do not evaporate the snow and ice, so adding more does not eliminate the need to shovel.

Properly maintaining grease bins is one of the most important things a restaurant can do to protect our local waterways. Email Cristina at cramirezbentley@bouldercounty.gov if you would like free laminated paper or outdoor metal signs to help remind staff about this important information.

1. Always close the lid: When the lid is left open, rain can cause the cooking oil to spill over and flow into the storm drain which empties into Boulder Creek. Fines start at $100 per day.
2. Clean up spills: Never wash or hose down spills! Spread absorbent powder over the spill and sweep it into the trash.
3. Empty bins often to prevent overflows: Know who your grease hauler is and the person who is responsible for communicating with them. Tell your manager if the bin is full or requires maintenance.