YOU know your community (town/city/county) needs to make a Zero Waste plan.
Jan 23, 2016
YOU know your community (town/city/county) needs tomake a Zero Waste plan.
But how to rally your fellow citizens?
BUILDING SUPPORT FOR ZERO WASTE Lynne Pledger [email protected]
GRRN Zero Waste Conference, October 19, 2009
OUR TRASH:
1. organics (food, yard trimmings, soiled paper) 2. products and packaging
KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR WASTE
Which waste issues are important to YOUR community?
impacts of landfills or incinerators
jobs climate change energy crisis burden of disposal on taxpayers toxics in products loss of natural resources/natural systems
THESE ISSUES CAN BE ADDRESSED BY ZERO WASTE POLICIES AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL.
RATS! Residents for Alternative Trash Solutions, Southbridge, Massachusettsstarted, spring 2008
Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalition, Geneva, New Yorkstarted, fall 2008
Carlisle Zero Waste Coalition, Carlisle, Massachusettsstarted, winter 2009
THREE NORTHEAST ZW CITIZEN GROUPS
SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTSRATS! is threatened with a huge landfill expansion and gasification plant.
Garbage comes into the Finger Lakes landfills from all over the state and from other states.
CARLISLE, MASSACHUSETTS
Carlisle is concerned with global waste issues, including climate change and diminishing resources.
ONE person can launch a Zero Wastecommunity movement:
In the Finger Lakes, Katherine reserved a room at the library and used email lists to invite concerned citizens to a meeting.
In Carlisle, Launa worked with existing groups—recycling commission, climate action, Sierra Club, League of Women Voters-- to focus the community on Zero Waste.
GATHER THE FACTS
Question assumptions –especially yours Seek info from more than one source Network with state and national groups
Doug Knipple, PresidentFinger Lakes ZW Coalition
GET INTO THE LOCAL PAPER
Cultivate a local journalist. Give that person scoops.
USE STRONG IMAGESNASA photo: earth wreathed in Methane gas Baby bird with stomach filled
with plastic
GET HELP WITH MESSAGING
CHEJ—Center for Health, Community and Justicehttp://www.chej.org/organizing_principles.htm
TAC—Toxics Action Center (New England)www.toxicsaction.org
Don’t Think of an ElephantBy George Lakoff
NO ONE “RIGHT” WAY TO COMMUNICATE
SOUTHBRIDGE RALLY HELD OUTSIDEOF BOARD OF HEALTH
CARLISLE HOLDS PUBLIC FORUM WITH PANEL OF EXPERTS
o Expect conflicto Factions are fineo EVERYONE is a potential convert to Zero Wasteo Recognize all contributions, small successeso Accept help from any source except a pollutero Be fair to all community members
GET ALONG--AGREE TO DISAGREE
PROMOTE WHAT YOU’RE FORRATS! at a fair, teaching kids about composting
RATS! started, spring 20081300 on mailing list• Filed appeal that has delayed landfill expansion by one year• Co-founded statewide alliance, Don’t Waste Massachusetts
Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalitionstarted, fall 2008400 members• Expanded into adjacent county• Stopped leachate line into lake
Carlisle Zero Waste Coalitionstarted, winter 2009• Partnering with four community groups• Planning: school composting pilot, town EPR resolution
UPDATES:
THREE OPERATING PRINCIPLESTo broaden community support
BE RIGHT
BE INCLUSIVE
BE RELENTLESS
Lynne [email protected]