Zero waste is a philosophy that promotes reuse, recycling, composting and conservation programs, and emphasizes sustainability by considering the entire life-cycle of products and systems.

This comprehensive systems-approach promotes waste prevention by:

• Manufacturing products and packaging for the environment;
• Using less toxic materials in production and manufacturing;
• Providing longer product life by developing more durable goods; and
• Designing products that are repairable and easily disassembled at the end of their useful life.

Zero Waste Defined by the Zero Waste International Alliance:

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, and discarded materials are managed as a resource, as opposed to a waste management issue.

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
• Not burn or bury our recyclable, compostable, reusable materials.

Implementing zero waste will eliminate discharges to land, water, or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal, or plant health.

Learn more at Zero Waste Sonoma.

Look for the 2018 Sonoma Zero Waste Symposium on May 10, 2018 in Rohnert Park.

Resources for Zero Waste in Building and Construction