Boulder Ice Cream

When companies claim they are "green", just what do they mean? Well at Boulder Ice Cream, it means we look at every ingredient and input, every process and every item that leaves our plant with a scrutinizing eye. Our philosophy is that the manufacturing of our product does not happen just inside our walls but reaches outside our plant, up the supply chain and down the waste line. We make every effort to minimize our footprint on the planet as we create our products. We strive to be a "Leave no Trace" facility.

In order to accomplish this, we look at:

• How far do items come from and can we find them closer to home?
• How much water, electricity and gas do we consume in our process?
• Where does every item that leaves our plant go (product and trash)?

In order to minimize our impact on the environment, we have implemented a number of systems meet this challenge:

• We offset 100% of our electricity usage with wind power!
• We are a participant in the Boulder-based Eco-Cycle’s Zero Waste program with a goal that 90% of all solid waste is diverted from landfills. Currently, Boulder Ice Cream diverts 70% of its solid waste from landfills through recycling, reuse and composting.
• Boulder Ice Cream works with its local distributors, delivery drivers and retailers to re-use and recycle its packaging, including the return and re-use of cardboard boxes that hold the cartons and reusable plastic tubs used for scoop shops and in food service.
• Our electrical demand is balanced by staggering high demand equipment usage, including freezer defrost cycles.
• The Boulder Ice Cream plant is heated primarily by its production equipment, recycling hot air generated by freezer compressors.
• Water cooling systems recycle water in a closed loop system, including water used for cooling the refrigeration equipment.
• Tank cleaning chemicals are re-captured for reuse instead of being released into the sewer system.
• Biodiesel is used in the company’s diesel vehicles.