6400 Arapahoe: City of Boulder Hub for Reuse, Recycling & Innovation

In Boulder, curbside collection of trash, recyclables and compostables is required for every home and business. While this provides a more convenient way to recycle than is available in most other parts of the country, there are many materials that are not able to be collected mixed together with our cans, bottles and paper. This project is part of the city’s broader circular economy vision.

These “harder to recycle” materials include everything from scrap metal, building materials, bicycle tires and old books to outdated or broken electronics. For these types of products, we have a special recycling drop-off and reuse center located at 6400 Arapahoe Avenue.

Currently operated by two long-standing, community-based nonprofits, Eco-Cycle and Resource Central, the city’s property is undergoing changes to expand capacity to repurpose used materials. We will be asking the Boulder community to provide their input on how they would most like to see the space used.

The expansion has two distinct phases, with the first completed in 2022.

Phase I included a variety of upgrades to Resource Central’s facility, including a covered retail area and donation lane for reusable building materials, on-site solar to offset energy usage, efficiency upgrades, and other improvements to make the facility more comfortable and easier-to-use.

Phase II of this expansion, currently in its community engagement and planning stage, will continue to grow our capacity to reuse and resell materials, thereby making Boulder’s economy more circular. Ideas include providing a community venue, creating a space for entrepreneurship and adding a makerspace.

Phase II of this expansion, currently in its stakeholder engagement and planning stage, will continue to grow our capacity to reuse and resell materials, thereby making Boulder’s economy more circular. Ideas include providing a community venue, creating a space for entrepreneurship and adding a makerspace. There will be community engagement opportunities on this phase in 2024.

For information from past City Council Sessions and Environmental Advisory Board meetings, please visit our record archive.

In 2024, the city will initiate an engagement process to design Phase II site improvements and operations for buildout.

6400 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303

• Resource Central
• Eco-Cycle