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Beyond recycling – ‘zero waste’
Organic waste compost bin in Toronto, photo by NotYouHaha (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
A new environmental trend in North American establishments seeks to do away with trash all together. The concept is called ‘zero waste’ and it’s catching on in schools, restaurants, parks and businesses. Though the zero waste concept may sound like an idealistic goal, it signifies just how serious some people and organizations are starting to take environmental concerns, through increased composting, recycling and decreased usage of non recyclable or non biodegradable products. This new standard of ecological awareness and ideology is evidence that American and world habits, standards and concepts are changing in an age where the health and longevity of the environment can no longer be taken for granted. Of course what this really means is that more and more people are worried about their own futures, especially when it comes to health, lifestyle and monetary concerns and that they see a connection between their own well-being and that of the environment . After all, shipping, storing and trash disposal aren’t cheap – on the pocketbook or on Mother Nature. They take their toll in the form of taxes, climate change and the contamination of natural resources.
The resort community of Nantucket, Massachusetts is a model for the zero waste movement, with only 8% of their refuse going to landfills. Progressive West Coast cities like Seattle and San Francisco, along with the southern metropolis of Atlanta, are also heading towards the forefront of the zero waste revolution with innovative mechanisms for the collection and disposal of organic waste – mostly food refuse.
Biodegradable plastic cutlery, photo by F. Kesselring (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Other important steps toward zero waste are the use of bioplastics, products that mimic petroleum based plastic, but are made from cornstarch or other plant sources and are (sometimes) fully biodegradable. However, non-fully biodegradable bioplastics are not compostable and bioplastics can also cause problems when mistakenly thrown in with recyclables. Clearly, consumer awareness is an important component in the implementation of zero waste strategies. This, in my opinion, can also be a good thing. The more we know about what we use and the effects it has on our environment, the more ecologically responsible we will tend to be in all aspects of our lives. The times of thoughtless consumption and disposal are (hopefully) over – and not a moment to soon.
Read more about the zero waste transition in the article ‘Nudging Recycling From Less Waste to None’ from the October 19th edition of the New York Times.
By Graham Land
Additional resources:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bioplastics
Zero Waste Alliance
Tags: biodegradable, bioplastic, compost, environment, Recycling, zero waste
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