Developing Zero Waste Community Plans

Student Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to: (Knowledge) Identify the 6 key elements of the Zero Waste community planning process (Comprehension) Describe how residents, businesses, staff, elected officials or nonprofit organizations initiate the development of a Zero Waste Plan for their community (Application) Examine what services are missing from their community that are needed to achieve Zero Waste.

Zero Waste Benefits to Communities Zero Waste Programs are one of the fastest and most cost effective ways that local governments can contribute to: – Reducing climate change – Creating green jobs – Promoting local sustainability – Assisting local businesses – Promoting local food & nutrients back to soil – Protecting health of residents

Zero Waste Communities (adopted Goal) 217 cities in Italy 66%+ of New Zealand cities Toronto, Ontario Buenos Aires, Argentina Halifax, Nova Scotia Entire Countries – New Zealand, So. Korea and Scotland 30+ cities in California Texas - Austin, Dallas, San Antonio Colorado - Telluride, Boulder City & County, Fort Collins Seattle, WA Chicago, IL Central Vermont Waste Management District Logan County, OH Sedona, AZ

CA Zero Waste Communities Del Norte County San Luis Obispo Co. Culver City El Cajon Fresno City of Los Angeles City of San Diego Burbank Santa Monica Glendale Pasadena Oceanside San Francisco Oakland San Jose Sacramento Santa Cruz County & all cities in County Berkeley Palo Alto Marin County Novato Fairfax Sunnyvale

What community are you familiar with that has adopted Zero Waste? Share something that you notice that demonstrates the Zero Waste goal.

Zero Waste Plan Scope Key Elements Review Data, Policies and Programs Participation Strategy Commodities & Service Opportunities Analysis Policies, Programs and Facilities Options Economics & Impacts (Jobs, GHG) Implementation Plan (including timeline & “low-hanging fruit” for quick success)

Public Participation Options Zero Waste Task Force Public Meetings Focus Groups House Parties Dinners Tours Interviews Surveys (Residential, Commercial, Service Providers)

Review Existing System Waste and Recycling Data Plans Contracts Ordinances Websites Promotional Materials Tour all local Service Providers Fiuts.org

Commodities Analysis Material% in WastesValue ($/ton) Reusables6%$400 Putrescibles26%$35 Paper21%$100 Ceramics (C&D)10%$15 Metals9%$80 Polymers9%$150 Soils6%$15 Glass4%$25 Textiles3%$20 Plant Debris3%$35 Wood2%$15 Chemicals1%$200 Source: Richard Anthony, Resource Management in the New Millennium, 2005

Communities can significantly change what is “economic” in the local marketplace with new policies, new rules and new incentives. Restructure contracts and policies to make the avoided costs of collection and disposal a key engine for moving towards Zero Waste. Menu of Policies & Programs

Hawai’i Policies & Programs Source Separation (of designated organics, reusables & recyclables) Compostable Organics out of Landfill Construction & Demolition (C&D) reuse and recycling plans & permits Producer and Retailer Responsibility, take-back of non-recyclable, reusable or compostable products and materials

LA Menu of Policies & Programs Upstream Policies Downstream Policies – Source Separation, Incentives And New Rules, Composting, Infrastructure Changing The Culture Green Business, Green Buildings And Jobs Management Of Residuals

Zero Waste Lifestyles 20 Years of Waste Chris Burger + Family, NY Sierra Club Last time took trash to the landfill – m m Zero Waste Culture Change

Refuse (Prevention) Do we really need it? Can we borrow it or rent it (if we only need it for a short time)? Is it energy efficient? Is it made from recycled material? Is it made from recyclable material that can be separated? Are we willing to take responsibility for it? “Engage your mind before your hand reaches out” Questions we ask before we buy a product: Source: Chris Burger, NY Sierra Club

Policies and Programs Comprehensive recycling programs – As convenient as trash – Multi-material – Available to all generators Organics diversion – Yard trimmings – Food scraps – Compostable paper C&D diversion Zero waste policies – “New rules” – Disposal bans – Separate – Products/EPR Outreach & TA Infrastructure – Reuse – Recycling – Composting

Discuss what pieces of Zero Waste are missing from your own communities.  Write down at least three things you think your community could adopt to move toward Zero Waste

Sample Zero Waste Plan Goals – Austin, TX Phase in of goals & objectives Develop detailed plans for 5 years Priorities outlined

Sample Economic Analysis – Fort Collins

Sample Implementation Timeline

Key Lessons for Pursuing ZW Someone Has to ASK to Adopt Zero Waste – Envt. Groups, Business, Staff, Elected Officials – Include ZW as goal in Climate Change Plans – Ask to Adopt Zero Waste as a goal and to return with a Plan within 6 months (See ZW Resolution) Educate and Develop Local Models (e.g., Promote Local ZW Businesses & Certify Them) Connect to Other Problems (e.g. Jobs, Budget, Economy, Facility Siting, Sustainability, Climate Change, Self-Reliance)

Global Principles For Zero Waste Communities Zero Waste Communities Recognition Program and