Zero Waste is a goal that is both pragmatic and visionary, to guide people to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are resources for others to use.
Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to reduce 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 may be a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.
Definition of Zero Waste*
* www.zwia.org/standards.html
A Policy, Path, Direction
A Target, Process, Way Of Thinking
From Waste Management To Resource Management
Redesigning Products and Processes for Clean Production
Community–Based Investments
Zero Waste
World Environment Day in SF 2005
100 Largest Cities Asked to Adopt
Zero Waste by 2040 is one of the Accords
City of Austin as co-signer
Contracted Gary Liss and Rick Anthony
Urban Environmental Accords
2009 adopted Zero Waste Plan
(City Council Commitment)
2010-11 develop Master Plan
(Implementation Roadmap)
Process through Community
Involvement (SWAC)
HDR: Inventory of Resources &
Options
Austin Zero Waste
Chemicals
0%
Metals
6%
Glass
3% Ceramics
2%
Paper
37%
Wood
4%
Soils
1%
Putrescibles
19%
Plant Debris
10%
Textiles
4%
Polymers
11%
Reuse
3%
Know Your Discards -Example
Market Categories
(City of Los Angeles)
% Tons/Year $/ton $
1.Reuse 2.0 72,000 550 39,600,000
2.Paper 22.0 792,000 20 15,840,000
3.Plant Debris 5.5 198,000 7 1,386,000
4.Putrescibles 17.0 612,000 7 4,284,000
5.Wood 4.0 144,000 8 1,152,000
6.Ceramics 13.0 468,000 4 1,872,000
7.Soils 10.0 360,000 7 2,520,000
8.Metals 4.0 144,000 40 5,760,000
KNOW YOUR DISCARDS VALUE
Community Driven Values
Upstream – Redesign
Midstream – Reuse
Downstream – Upcycling to Highest and Best Use
Innovation and Local Jobs
through Green Businesses
Pillars of Austin Zero Waste
EPR – Extended Producer Responsibility
Product Redesign – design the toxics out and design for reuse and recyclability
Disposal bans if necessary
Incentives – Rate Structure Adjustments, Rebates, Recognition
Upstream
Reuse products and packaging, retaining their original form and function
Ensure the highest and best use of products and packaging at the end of their useful lives
Entrepreneur Opportunities
Midstream
Recycle or compost materials that are not reduced or reused
Ensure the highest and best use of products and packaging at the end of their useful lives
Universal Recycling Ordinance
Residential, Commercial, and Industrial – regardless of hauler
Downstream
Organics - Yard trimmings, Food scraps, Multi-layer approach
C&D – Deconstruction, Reuse & Recycling
“ECO-Centers” –Neighborhood Reuse Sites
Glassphalt and Tire Shreds
Downstream Programs
Waste Stream Analysis
Resource Identification
Gap Analysis
Coalition / Cooperatives
Business / Education
Innovation / Technology
Austin Zero Waste
Residential Waste Stream35% in 201050% by 201360% by 201670% by 202080% by 202590%+ by 2030
Austin Zero Waste
Collection Services
More recycling routes
More Yard Trimmings
Reduction in trash routes
Downsizing carts
Austin Zero Waste
Operations Support
New MRF in 2012
Private/Public Partnership
Weekly/Bi-Weekly Service
Targeted Districts (Educ)
Austin Zero Waste
Disposal “Repurposing”
HH Toxic Alternatives
EPR / Retailer Take backs
FM 812 Landfill Closure
Resource Recovery Park
Tire-cycling / Glass-phalt
Austin Zero Waste
ZW Strategic InitiativesMaster Plan DevelopmentWRAP: Business / Commercial / InstitutionalGoodwill / Sierra Club / KAB /Non-Profits AlliancesMarketing / CampaignsInterlocal AgreementsPlanning / Research
Austin Zero Waste
Paradigm ShiftResource SharingGreening EquipmentGreening OperationsSustainability PracticesLiving by ExampleCommunity BuildingPartnerships
Austin Zero Waste
Future = Change
A Community Investment
Continuity gives us roots;
change gives us branches,
letting us stretch and grow
and reach new heights.
~Pauline R. Kezer
Zero Waste & YOU
New Mission- New Vision - New logo… Zero Waste
New business model… Conservation, Public Service, Economic Viability, and Mission Driven
New relationship with the community…Partnerships
New relationships within our organization… Restructuring
Austin – Zero Waste: Our Future