ZERO WASTE Initiative The Key to our Future

The U.S. is sinking under a tidal wave of waste. We are told that waste management in the U.S. is in a state of anarchy. There is no effective federal plan or infrastructure in place to maximize recycling and minimize waste. America's treatment of waste is the "free market" at its worst. It is up to Person County to plan its own destiny and do the “RIGHT THING”,

WHAT IS WASTE? WASTE is a RESOURCE in DISGUISE? The word 'waste' and the act of 'wasting' are human inventions. Waste doesn't exist in nature. In nature, everything has a purpose. Waste was created by humans for short-term convenience and short-term profit. Wasting results in long-term harmful consequences for both humans, nature, and the economy. Our GOAL is to eliminate the very idea of WASTE

What is Meant by ZERO WASTE? Zero Waste is a Policy, a Path, a Direction, a Target, it’s a Process, a way of thinking, a Vision. Goal is for: 100% Efficiency of all resources No Solid and Hazardous Waste No Emissions – to air, water and soil No Waste in Production and Admin. Activities No Toxins

 Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.  Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate 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 are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health. Definition of Zero Waste Source;

ZERO WASTE’S ULTIMATE GOAL Nature’s Goal ***** Society’s Goal

IT IS A BOLD VISIONARY GOAL It has a clear ENDPOINT GOAL that will help us SUSTAIN the resources for the Future generations. We set the ZERO WASTE goal and then work to get there. We don’t stop along the way even though we may never get to the mountain top.

Zero Waste Supports Sustainability Economic Sustainability Waste reduction improves efficiency and lowers costs Environmental Sustainability Reduces demand for resources and energy from nature Reduces waste to nature Social Sustainability More resources and energy become available for others Closing the loop (cradle-to-cradle) generates new jobs

ZERO WASTE is a Sound Strategy 1.Easily understood – Engages people 2.Saves Money – economically sound 3.Promotes Waste Prevention – reuse, repair, redesign 4.Promotes Waste Recovery – recycling, composting 5.Eliminates Pollution 6.Creates New Jobs – 10 to 1 over landfilling Waste Managers becomes Resource Managers New products from recovered materials

Zero WASTE is Widely Applicable Businesses Communities Governments Schools Industries Homes You name it! Everyone gets involved.

Waste Utilization

Let’s GO GREEN! ZERO WASTE Let’s GO GREEN! ZERO WASTE! Let’s GO GREEN!