Since 1976, Eco-Cycle has received local, state, and national recognition for our innovative efforts in resource conservation.

2021

Best of Boulder – Best Nonprofit: Eco-Cycle, Boulder Weekly

2020

Advancing Environmental Education Award: Eco-Cycle Schools Department, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education

Mereth Meade Volunteer of the Year: Tara Tull, Denver Eco-Leader, Recycle Colorado

2019

Superintendent’s Honor Role Award: Cyndra Dietz, Schools Program Director, Boulder Valley School District

2018

Outstanding Nonprofit Recycling/Diversion Program: CHaRM, Recycle Colorado

Outstanding Outreach Municipality or Nonprofit: Eco-Cycle and CoPIRG, Recycle Colorado

2016

Mereth Meade Volunteer of the Year: Shari Malloy, Longmont Eco-Leader, Colorado Association for Recycling (CAFR)

2015

Outstanding Media Coverage: Eco-Cycle Communications Director Harlin Savage, Colorado Association for Recycling (CAFR)

Outstanding Outreach Award (Municipality or Nonprofit): Eco-CycleColorado Association for Recycling (CAFR)

Lifetime Achievement Award: Eco-Cycle Executive Director Eric LombardiColorado Association for Recycling (CAFR)

Enos Mills Lifetime Achievement Award: Cyndra Dietz, Schools Program CoordinatorColorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)

2012

Education Pacesetter Award: Cyndra Dietz, Schools Program CoordinatorDaily Camera

Bronze Excellence Award in Public Education: Eco-Cycle “Stop Junk Mail for GOOD” service, Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)

2011

Red Empress Collaborative Challenge Award: Green Star Schools programRed Empress Foundation 10th Anniversary Celebration 

Boulder County Gold People’s Choice Award, Best NonProfit Organization: Eco-CycleDaily Camera

2010

Best Green Business, Best of the West Award, Yellow Scene Magazine

ONE WORLD AWARDPreserve Planet Earth Committee, Boulder Rotary Club

2009

Boulder County Gold People’s Choice Award for best nonprofit organization, runner-upDaily Camera

2008 

Boulder County Gold People’s Choice Award for best nonprofit organizationDaily Camera

IQ (Innovation Quotient) Award for Zero Waste Services program, Boulder County Business Report

Environmental Achievement Award for the Zero Waste Event Kit, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Outstanding Recycling Innovation for the Zero Waste Event Kit, National Recycling Coalition (NRC)

Gold Medal of Honor at the Colorado Sustainable Business Awards for Zero Waste Services program, Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE)

Best New Program Award for Green Star Schools program, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)

2007

NOVA Environment Award for Green Star Schools Program, The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County

EPA Region 8 Environmental Achievement Award for Green Star Schools Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Our World Award for the Boulder/Broomfield County School Recycling and Environmental Education Program, Boulder Rotary Club

2006

Outstanding Organics Program AwardColorado Association for Recycling

2005

EPA Region 8 Environmental Achievement Award for Zero Waste program at Farmers’ Market, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

NOVA Environment Award for Zero Waste program at Farmers’ Market, The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County

Wirth Chair Award to Eric Lombardi for advancing community sustainability, Wirth Chair in Environmental and Community Development Policy

Waste Reduction ReWardCenter for ReSource Conservation

2004

Colorado Recycler of the Year Award for Most Unique Program, honoring Eco-Cycle’s Zero Waste Event Program

Outstanding Colorado Recycling Program recognizing the CHaRM, Colorado Association for Recycling

2003

Don’t Let it Go to Waste Award honoring the CHaRM, Colorado Recycles

Environmental Achievement Award for the CHaRM and our Mercury Thermometer Collection Project, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

2002 

Natural Business Leadership Award for Executive Director Eric Lombardi, Natural Business

The CHaRM is a Community Foundation Nova Award finalist

Environmental Project for a Medium-Sized Community Award, American Public Works Association

2001

Best New Recycler Award, Southwestern Recycling Authority

Recycler of the Year for Broomfield Recycling Center, Colorado Recycles

Environmental Achievement Award for Creating a Recycling Facility and Community Outreach Program in Broomfield, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

1999

National Award for Community EducationThe President’s Council on Sustainable Development

1998

Best Local Environmental Education ProgramNorth American Association for Environmental Education

1997

Nonprofit Partnership Award for the Block Leader ProgramColorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)

Colorado Recycler of the YearColorado Recycles

1996

Nonprofit Partnership Award for School EducationColorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)

Innovation in Recycling AwardSouthwest Public Recycling Association

Certificate of Environmental AchievementNational Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability

Best School Recycling ProgramNational Recycling Coalition

1994

Award WinnerGovernor Romer’s “Celebrate Colorado” Environmental Awards

1993

Employer of the YearDevelopmental Disabilities Center

Small Business of the Year, NonprofitBoulder Chamber of Commerce

Employer of the YearAssociation for Community Living

Eco-Cycle Through the Decades

See below for our most notable achievements from years past.

The 1970s

The 1980s

The 1990s

The 2000s Pt. 1

The 2000s Pt. 2

2017–2022

IMPACT PROGRAMS


More than 40% of our climate impact comes from our “consumption emissions”—or how we extract, consume, and dispose of our stuff and our food. As one of the leading Zero Waste organizations in the world, Eco-Cycle is prioritizing three major solutions to reduce and even reverse these emissions.

The Urgency to Reduce Plastics

Plastic pollution is choking the planet. We must take action NOW.

Composting & Carbon Farming

Applying compost to landscapes builds healthier soils, and helps reverse climate change.

Zero Waste Colorado

Our work to implement recycling and composting infrastructure and policies throughout the state