ACTION ALERT
February 13, 2021
Support the Boulder County Compost Facility
Background:
Boulder County is building a new compost facility and your voice is needed. Currently, compostable material (food and yard debris, etc.) collected within the county must be taken to a processing facility that is 50 miles away from the Western Disposal transfer station--a 100-mile roundtrip for large, exhaust-pumping trucks. Locating a facility within the county significantly reduces the amount of miles traveled by haulers from Longmont, Lafayette, Boulder and all the cities in Boulder County and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. According to an analysis done as part of the county's evaluation process, the proximity of this site and the expected resulting cost savings for generators and haulers will attract an additional 18,500 tons of organic waste that is currently going to the landfill. This represents a 44% increase over the 42,000 tons collected today. More information can be found at https://www.localcompostclimateaction.org/
Call to Action:
The Boulder County Commissioners will meet next week to discuss next steps on moving the compost facility forward. Unfortunately, local opposition to the plan has resulted in a lawsuit. We need to add community voices to contact the 3 Boulder County Commissioners ASAP to tell them you support this project.
Talking Points:
Boulder County Commissioners:
Sample Email:
Subject: Support the Compost Facility in Boulder County at the Current Proposed Site
Dear Commissioner [Jones],
I'm writing in support of the proposed Boulder County Compost Facility as key infrastructure necessary for the County to move toward its stated Zero Waste goals. While communities in the county are doing a great job diverting organic waste through the collection programs and ordinances that are in place, we need a local compost facility to actually "close the loop" and make the best use of compost as a soil-building resource.
Specifically, I am writing to express my 100% support of the current proposed location. This east location is ideal for the whole county, as it is centrally located off Hwy. 287 & close to Hwy. 52. A local compost facility would also benefit Longmont, to help build capacity for residents to increase participation in the compost program.
The time is now to take local action to avert a climate crisis. The local compost facility makes sense for many reasons, including carbon sequestration, and local incentives to help our farmers and land stewards use compost to maintain healthy soils and restore degraded rangeland. Boulder County has always been an environmental leader. Please help us create a model that other communities can follow.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
February 13, 2021
Support the Boulder County Compost Facility
Background:
Boulder County is building a new compost facility and your voice is needed. Currently, compostable material (food and yard debris, etc.) collected within the county must be taken to a processing facility that is 50 miles away from the Western Disposal transfer station--a 100-mile roundtrip for large, exhaust-pumping trucks. Locating a facility within the county significantly reduces the amount of miles traveled by haulers from Longmont, Lafayette, Boulder and all the cities in Boulder County and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions. According to an analysis done as part of the county's evaluation process, the proximity of this site and the expected resulting cost savings for generators and haulers will attract an additional 18,500 tons of organic waste that is currently going to the landfill. This represents a 44% increase over the 42,000 tons collected today. More information can be found at https://www.localcompostclimateaction.org/
Call to Action:
The Boulder County Commissioners will meet next week to discuss next steps on moving the compost facility forward. Unfortunately, local opposition to the plan has resulted in a lawsuit. We need to add community voices to contact the 3 Boulder County Commissioners ASAP to tell them you support this project.
Talking Points:
- The Boulder County compost facility will increase the amount of trash we can divert from local landfills, while decreasing pollution from fossil fuels currently being used to transport local compost to a site that is 50 miles away.
- The site chosen is the old Rainbow Nursery site on Highway 287, just south of its intersection with Highway 52. The site is zoned for agricultural uses (which can include compost facilities). The site does not have a conservation easement, and was never intended for public recreation or officially designated open space.
- In the fight for a balanced climate, there are important and significant actions communities can and must take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One of the best ways to immediately reduce methane, one of the most powerful of greenhouse gases, is by creating infrastructure to keep organic discards out of the landfill and turn them into compost.
Boulder County Commissioners:
- Matt Jones: Mjones@bouldercounty.org
- Claire Levy: Clevy@bouldercounty.org
- Marta Loachamin: MLoachamin@bouldercounty.org
Sample Email:
Subject: Support the Compost Facility in Boulder County at the Current Proposed Site
Dear Commissioner [Jones],
I'm writing in support of the proposed Boulder County Compost Facility as key infrastructure necessary for the County to move toward its stated Zero Waste goals. While communities in the county are doing a great job diverting organic waste through the collection programs and ordinances that are in place, we need a local compost facility to actually "close the loop" and make the best use of compost as a soil-building resource.
Specifically, I am writing to express my 100% support of the current proposed location. This east location is ideal for the whole county, as it is centrally located off Hwy. 287 & close to Hwy. 52. A local compost facility would also benefit Longmont, to help build capacity for residents to increase participation in the compost program.
The time is now to take local action to avert a climate crisis. The local compost facility makes sense for many reasons, including carbon sequestration, and local incentives to help our farmers and land stewards use compost to maintain healthy soils and restore degraded rangeland. Boulder County has always been an environmental leader. Please help us create a model that other communities can follow.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Coalition Partners & Supporters
For more information please visit https://www.localcompostclimateaction.org/
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