Rachel's Precaution Reporter #16, December 14, 2005

WHERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ZERO WASTE

[Rachel's introduction: Here is a short list of resources you and your local officials can tap to learn more about the "zero waste" approach to municipal discards.]

By Peter Montague

Zero waste is an idea developed during the past decade by local government officials working with recycling activists. 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. Richard Anthony Associates

10. Urban Ore, Berkeley, Calif.

11. The Zero Waste Alliance in Portland, Oregon

12. The Zero Waste International Alliance