BUILDING SUPPORT FOR ZERO WASTE Lynne Pledger GRRN Zero Waste Conference, July 30, 2011

ZW activism: state and local level Change at the state level… …needs support at grassroots

On the Local Level 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

RATS! Residents for Alternative Trash Solutions, Southbridge, Massachusetts started, spring 2008 Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalition, Geneva, New York started, fall 2008 Carlisle Zero Waste Coalition, Carlisle, Massachusetts started, winter 2009 EXAMPLES: 3 NORTHEAST ZW CITIZEN GROUPS

RATS! SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS RATS! was 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. Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalition, Geneva NY

Carlisle is concerned with global waste issues, including climate change and diminishing resources. Carlisle, Massachusetts

ONE person can launch a Zero Waste community movement:  In the Finger Lakes, Katherine reserved a room at the library and used lists to invite concerned citizens to a meeting.  In Carlisle, Launa worked with existing local 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, President Finger Lakes ZW Coalition

GET INTO THE LOCAL PAPER Cultivate a local journalist. Give that person scoops.

USE STRONG IMAGES NASA photo: earth wreathed in Methane gas Baby bird with stomach filled with plastic

NO ONE “RIGHT” WAY TO COMMUNICATE SOUTHBRIDGE RALLY HELD OUTSIDE BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING CARLISLE PUBLIC FORUM WITH PANEL OF EXPERTS

PROMOTE WHAT YOU’RE FOR RATS! at a fair, teaching kids about composting

o Expect conflict o Factions are fine o EVERYONE is a potential convert to Zero Waste o Recognize all contributions, small successes o Accept help from any source except a polluter o Be fair and respectful to all community members GET ALONG--AGREE TO DISAGREE

Activism on state level An alliance of Massachusetts organizations

SHIFTED MASSACHUSETTS POLICY: College student presents petition with 16,000 signatures to Massachusetts DEP. 1. moratorium on new incinerators 2. waste reduction over more waste disposal facilities

THREE OPERATING PRINCIPLES To gain support for Zero Waste  BE RIGHT  BE INCLUSIVE  BE RELENTLESS

For more information: Lynne Pledger