Zero Waste
Zero waste is a philosophy and a design principle for the lifecycle of products and processes. It aims to prevent waste and pollution from being created, rather than trying to manage waste after it has been created. The concept is based on principles of waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting, with the ultimate goal of not sending any waste to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean.
Rethink:
Encourages individuals and businesses to change their perspective on waste, viewing it as a resource rather than something to be discarded.
Promotes the design of products and packaging with a focus on durability, reparability, and recyclability.
Reduce:
Involves minimizing the amount of waste produced by choosing to use less or selecting products that have less packaging or a lower environmental impact.
Encourages the reduction of consumption and the selection of products that are designed to have a long life.
Reuse:
Supports the use of items multiple times before considering recycling or disposal.
Includes repairing, refurbishing, and repurposing items to extend their life.
Recycle:
Involves the processing of waste materials to create new products, which can reduce the need for virgin materials and decrease energy usage and pollution.
Encourages the use of products made from recycled materials to close the loop.
Compost:
Organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste, is composted to create nutrient-rich soil amendments, reducing methane emissions from landfills and returning nutrients to the earth.
Circular Economy:
Zero waste is closely aligned with the concept of a circular economy, which is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources through a closed-loop system.
Community Involvement:
Zero waste initiatives often involve community action, education, and participation to be successful.
Local governments may support zero waste by providing infrastructure for recycling and composting and by enacting policies that encourage waste reduction.
Corporate Responsibility:
Companies are encouraged to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products and packaging, often referred to as extended producer responsibility (EPR).
Businesses can adopt zero waste practices in their operations, reducing their environmental footprint and often saving money in the process.
Zero Waste to Landfill:
Some businesses and communities aim for "zero waste to landfill" by diverting as much waste as possible away from landfills through reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.
Name
Zero Waste
Description
Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.
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