Rachel's Precaution Reporter #16
December 14, 2005

HOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ZERO WASTE

By Peter Montague

Zero waste is an idea developed during the past decade by grass-roots
activists working with local government officials.  The slogan is,
"Zero waste or darn near."  The basic idea is to stop seeing municipal
trash as a "waste" and start seeing it as a resource that can provide
materials for the manufacturing sector, and can create jobs in the
bargain.  Because "zero waste" aims to prevent many of the problems
created by "waste management" approaches such as landfills and
incinerators, we view "zero waste" as an important example of a
precautionary approach to municipal governance.

Here is a selected list of resources on Zero Waste:

1. The California Integrated Waste Management Board

2. Eco-Cycle, Boulder, Col.

3. Gary Liss & Associates

4. The Grass Roots Recycling Network

5. How to Compost Your Waste

6. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance

7. Paul Palmer's book, Getting to Zero Waste (2005)

8. The Product Policy Institute, Athens, Georgia

9. Urban Ore, Berkeley, Calif.

10. The Zero Waste Alliance in Portland, Oregon

11. The Zero Waste International Alliance