Zero Waste Family Day-to-Day Amanda Waddle 5 Gyres Ambassador No Waste Louisiana

What does zero waste mean to me? It is a journey (& a lifestyle choice) to reduce waste and the journey is as important as the destination Zero waste means living a simple life in line with nature Avoiding single-use plastics and disposables Placing value on waste Reduce, reuse & recycle

History of Zero Waste 1970 – 1st Earth day – Reduce, reuse, recycle 1980’s – Recycling took off 1990’s – (Australia) Canbarra’s No Waste by 2010 Italy California – state recycling goals (25% by 1995; 50% by 2000) 1999 – San Francisco – 75% diversion by 2010; zero waste by 2020 (currently divert over 80%) GrassRoots Recycling Network formed Zero Waste plans offered as alternative to landfill or incineration 2000’s - Zero Waste International Alliance

Zero Waste Zero Waste International Alliance (zwia.org) defines zero waste* as: “Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for other use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.” 90% or more diversion of material from landfill (no burn) *peer review definition 2004, revised in 2009

Zero Waste State, City, Business University Farmers Market School K-12 Home No Waste Louisiana - 2 chapters working on zero waste No Waste NOLA No Waste Lafayette

storyofstuff.org 20 minute YouTube video

Why work towards Zero Waste? Climate change – organics in landfills emit methane which contributed to climate change Alternative to landfills and incineration Think of waste as resources that can be used again Keep plastic out of our oceans Live a compatible life with nature

Why I am working towards Zero Waste

How I work towards Zero Waste Reduce Reuse Recycle Source Separation

Reduce Resource management Most effective way to reduce is to not make waste in the first place Think reusable over disposable Simplify your life by thinking critically about your purchases Do I need this? Is it repairable? Focus on quality not quantity

Reduce “no, thank you” Catalog Choice – reduce junk mail Straws, bottled water Parties and events Gifts and favors Toothbrush/floss from dentist Free magazines Catalog Choice – reduce junk mail Less you have, the less you have to take care of

Reduce Make/bake from scratch

Reuse Resource management Buy used items Return items to store/famer for reuse Honey jars, hanger, egg cartons Use old socks/clothes as cleaning clothes Glass jars

Reduce & Reuse when Shopping

Reduce & Reuse at the farmers market

Recycle Waste management Curbside Recycling Plastic #1 & #2 Paper Metal

Recycle Hard to recycle items Buy items made from recycled material Soft plastics Glass Terracycle brigade – Tom’s of Maine Preserve products Buy items made from recycled material

Recycle - Composting Waste management Composting is a great way to reduce waste

What do I throw away? Landfill Compost Recycling

Zero Waste Traveling SS spork, water bottles, pint cups/plates/napkins Picnic/camping/day trips/road trips/eating out/festivals SS spork, water bottles, pint cups/plates/napkins

Zero Waste school & work lunches No Waste Louisiana did a waste free lunch Facebook live event in April Reusable items Lunch box/bag, snack sacks, water bottles, containers for food

Zero Waste is not easy Time Planning Packaging Abundance of choices in stores Community

Zero Waste doesn’t have to be expensive

What can you do? Want to work towards zero waste? Avoid single-use plastics, disposable items and items with caps Straws, plastic bags, bottled water, polystyrene, to-go coffee cups Take reusable items wherever you go – be prepared Have your zero waste bag in your car & your zero waste items in your purse/pack ready Get involved – No Waste Louisiana and No Waste NOLA are working on zero waste plan – join these or other organizations near you! Contact your council woman/man and mayor and tell them you want your town to work towards zero waste Reuse packaging, like glass as much as possible Avoid what is NOT reusable/repairable/recyclable/compostable

arwaddle74@gmail.com No Waste Louisiana & No Waste NOLA 5 Gyres Institute Plastic Pollution Coalition Surfrider Foundation GreenYes (greenyes@googlegroups.com) NOAA Marine Debris Program USGBC Zero Waste Zero Waste International Alliance Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn) – National Zero Waste legislation