PACE team dives into Zero Waste to help businesses in 2026 |
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The PACE team recently spent the day at the county's Recycling Center, learning the ins and outs of recycling and composting. Now we’re ready to share what we learned to help your business properly recycle and compost, find alternatives to sending items to the landfill, comply with local ordinances (when applicable), and make more sustainable choices when purchasing.
Some key takeaways:
Start small. Small changes add up and can feel more manageable. Pick one waste-reduction goal to focus on so it’s easier to adopt. Once it sticks, move on to something new. Here are a few ideas to try: - Recycle your cardboard – Cardboard is one of the most common recyclable items that businesses send to the landfill. Break down boxes and toss them in recycling. Easy peasy!
- Get started with composting – The guidelines are simple: the only accepted items are food waste and yard trimmings.
Use CHaRM. Eco-Cycle’s Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM) accepts many unexpected items for recycling, from plastic lawn chairs to pint glasses, bike parts, and much more. Many items can be recycled for a small $3 facility fee. Visit the CHaRM website for the full list and any additional item fees.
Ready to learn more? Check out some of our Zero Waste grants below, and then connect with a PACE advisor by emailing info@pacepartners.com. |
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2026 PACE Zero Waste Grants |
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Reusable solutions: - Boulder: 70% of cost up to $2,000
- Lafayette: 50% of cost up to $1,000
- Longmont: 70% of cost up to $1,500
Bins: Lafayette and Longmont: Up to $330 worth to comply with Universal Recycling Ordinances
New recycling or compost service: - Boulder: $150 for starting hard-to-recycle service
- Lafayette and Louisville: $1,150 for starting new recycling and/or compost service
- Longmont and Superior: $650 for starting new recycling and/or compost service
- All other Boulder County locations: $150 for starting new recycling and/or compost service
Visit the PACE website to learn more and get started. Incentives must be pre-approved by PACE and are first come, first served while funding is available. Funds made available by municipalities mentioned and the Boulder County Resource Conservation Division. |
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Did you miss our rebate announcement in December? |
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PACE shared a preview of our 2026 rebates in the December newsletter. Our advisors are ready to connect with businesses in the new year to plan and carry out sustainable upgrades.
2026 rebate highlights include:
What to do now:
- Work with your PACE advisor to start identifying upgrades for 2026.
- Check out our website to review incentive details and eligibility.
PACE is here to support you in 2026. Let’s make it a smarter, cleaner year together! |
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Boulder County’s Grey to Green Fund now accepting applications |
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Boulder County’s new Grey to Green Fund opened for applications last month. This new grant program offers $20,000 to $50,000 per project to help transform impervious “grey” surfaces—such as rooftops, parking lots, and nonfunctional turf—into thriving “green” spaces that strengthen climate resilience and improve urban landscapes.
Eligible Project Categories include:
- Green Roofs: Transforming traditional roofs into vegetated spaces.
- Raingardens and Bioswales: Installing natural features that capture and filter stormwater.
- Converting Non-Functional Turf to Native Landscapes: Replacing non-functional or artificial turfgrass with native grasses or plants.
- Miyawaki or Micro-forests: Establishing dense, native plantings in urban areas.
- Urban Agriculture: Creating community gardens, urban farms or orchards.
- Impervious to Pervious Surface: Transforming concrete-dominated surfaces into permeable, vegetated areas.
Funding is available to municipalities, nonprofits, educational institutions, homeowner's associations, and businesses within Boulder County. Partnerships are encouraged.
Applications are due by Feb. 3, 2026, with award notifications in April.  Visit Boulder County’s Grey to Green Fund website to learn more about this opportunity. |
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