Zero Waste

The national recycling rate (including composting) is hovering around 30 percent. Hundreds of communities have surpassed this level and dozens report waste reduction levels above 50 percent. More can and will be done to decrease the amount of materials in our waste streams. Increasing numbers of cities, counties, states and private businesses are making commitments and goals towards "zero waste."

Ther Zero Waste International Alliance provides a definition of the term, "Zero Waste is a goal that is both pragmatic and visionary, to guide people to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that may be a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health."

More Background:

• Grassroots Recycling Network's Zero Waste Campaign web site.
• Irvine, CA - Zero Waste Initiative
• Zero Waste Alliance
• Zero Waste California
• Zero Waste International Alliance

RULES:

• Oakland, CA, Zero Waste Resolution
  Oakland, California (pop. 400,000) passed a zero waste resolution on March 7, 2006. The city directed its public works department to come up with a strategic plan to meet the zero waste goal by 2020. More...