On the Road to Zero Waste: Successes and Lessons From Around the World

Authors
Neil Tangri, Cecilia Allen, Virali Gokaldas, Anne Larracas, Leslie Ann Minot, Maeva Morin, Burr Tyler, and Bill Walker

Abstract
Zero waste is both a goal and a plan of action. The goal is to ensure resource recovery and protect scarce natural resources by ending waste disposal in incinerators, dumps, and landfills. The plan encompasses waste reduction, composting, recycling and reuse, changes in consumption habits, and industrial redesign. But just as importantly, zero waste is a revolution in the relationship between waste and people. It is a new way of thinking that aims to safeguard the health and improve the lives of everyone who produces, handles, works with, or is affected by waste—in other words, all of us.

The communities discussed in these case studies, and many others around the world, are enjoying significant environmental, climatic, social, economic, and sanitation benefits from their adoption of various elements of zero waste. Every community is different, and no two zero waste programs will be identical. The variety of approaches profiled is indicative of the diverse approaches that all lead towards the same goal. Although some of these systems also currently include elements which are incompatible with zero waste, such as incineration, the positive elements offer a foundation on which to build comprehensive zero waste systems. For now, these communities offer enlightening examples of how the various elements function in the real world, in a wide variety of economic, cultural and political contexts. We can all learn from their efforts.

Published: June 2012