1. Intro to Zero Waste

2. Student Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: Identify the 3 key components of the Definition of Zero Waste Describe how businesses benefit from achieving Zero Waste Cite several examples of businesses that have already achieved Zero Waste, or darn close.

3. Reduce Reuse Recycle Zero Waste = Focus first on Reducing and Reusing, then Recycle, Compost and Redesign the rest

4. 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 others to 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, and 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. ZWIA Definition of Zero Waste Source: www.zwia.org

5. No Burn No Bury No Toxics Zero Waste =

6. 90% is Key Measure of Progress to Zero Waste Divert more than 90% from landfill, incineration and the environment Incineration = facilities that operate above ambient biological temperatures (more than 200 degrees F.)

7. Landfills are one of the largest sources of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Methane is 21-72x more potent than CO 2 Zero Waste & Global Warming 71 Tons “Upstream” For Every Ton MSW Recycling & composting all discards in CA = eliminating all auto exhaust in CA Wasteberg

8. USEPA GHG Systems-Based Pie Chart

9. 10,000 tons of discarded material = Zero Waste = Good Green Jobs Recycling Industry = Size of Auto Industry 10,000 tons of discarded material = Burn or Bury: 1 job Source: www.ilsr.orgwww.ilsr.org Composting: 4 jobs Recycling: 10 jobs Reuse: 75 –250 jobs

10. Zero Waste Benefits to Businesses Saves money Reduces liability Increases efficiency Reduces GHG emissions Marketing edge Clean energy/Saves energy “Right thing to do” Reduces Litter to Oceans & Watersheds

11. Zero Waste Cost Savings All Zero Waste Businesses have saved Money! Save most by Reducing Waste Save next most by Reuse Systems Save some $ through recycling and composting IF rates are structured right

12. Zero Waste is all about Efficiency Source: Gil Friend, Natural Logic

13. Nature Is The Model Zero Waste or Darn Close Businesses have achieved over 90% waste reduction Is Zero Waste Attainable ? Picture: Methane Earth; Credit: GISS, NASAGISSNASA

14. Businesses are Leading the Way to Zero Waste (>90% diversion) Anheuser-Busch, several Albertson’s (100 in So. CA) Del Mar Fairgrounds Earth Friendly Products* Fetzer Vineyards Frankie’s Bohemian Café, SF General Motors (110+ plants) Greens Restaurant, SF Hilton Hotel, SF Honda Mad River Brewery Miller/Coors New Belgium Brewery Piazza Produce* Pillsbury Ricoh Electronics San Diego Wild Animal Park Scoma’s Restaurant, SF Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.* Subaru Toyota Vandenberg Air Base Vons-Safeway Whole Foods Markets, SD* Xerox Corp 2800 Businesses in Japan More examples at www.uszwbc.org *Certified by USZWBC

15. Share about a business that you know has taken at least one step towards sustainability. How is it recognizable to the public and what are the benefits to the company?

16. Upstream Downstream Green Businesses & Jobs Pillars of Zero Waste

17. 71 Tons disposed “Upstream” For Every Ton of municipal solid waste disposed downstream

18. 0 50 100 150 200 250 19601970198019902000 Millions of Tons Organics US Municipal Discards 1960-2000 Products Total Weight Source: Bill Sheehan, Upstream

19. Businesses: Redesign products to be less toxic and easier to reuse and recycle Implement Clean Production Take back problem products and packaging at no cost to the public Properly reuse, recycle or compost and don ’ t export harm Support small, local businesses and nonprofits Upstream - Product Stewardship

20. Downstream Reduce - “Waste” is not inevitable Reuse products and packaging, retaining their original form and function Recycle or compost the rest

21. Green Businesses and Jobs Use recovered materials locally Support local foods and organics back to farmers and soils Expand, attract, and support green businesses and green collar jobs Buy green goods and services Follow ZWIA Zero Waste Business Principles