What is Zero Waste?
The Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) broadly defines Zero Waste as: A philosophy and visionary goal that emulates natural cycles, where all outputs are simply an input for another process. It means designing and managing materials and products to conserve and recover all resources and not destroy or bury them, and eliminate discharges to land, water or air that do not contribute productively to natural systems or the economy.
Zero Waste means setting the goal of diverting from landfill at least 90 percent of the waste generated by all sources, both business and residential. Zero Waste is meant to:
- Reduce excess consumption
- Minimize unnecessary waste
- Encourage recycling to the maximum extent possible
- Ensure that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled back into nature or the marketplace
Unlike our current system of managing waste, Zero Waste seeks to eliminate waste wherever possible.
A Zero Waste Task Force, a committee of residents, businesses and City staff has been formed to assist in the creation of a Zero Waste Plan for Palo Alto. Approximately 75% of all Palo Alto waste that is currently landfilled is created by the commercial sector, the remaining 25% by residents.
Zero Waste- It Takes More Than A Village
Who is involved in making Zero Waste a reality for the Palo Alto Community?
Zero Waste Task Force Co-Chairs
Walt Hays, Palo Alto resident, and Bud Mission, Roche Palo Alto, have accepted an invitation, from the City Manager's office, to serve as Co-Chairs of the Zero Waste Task Force.
Zero Waste Task Force
A committee of residents, businesses and City staff was selected to assist in the creation of a Zero Waste Policy and Plan for Palo Alto. Membership is determined by the Task Force Co-chairs. Click here for list of Task Force Members.
City Staff
Zero Waste is not solely a Public Works project. Various departments throughout the city are working together to address an array of issues, ranging from policies, contracts, and ordinances, to programs, services and more.
Zero Waste Consultant
Gary Liss, Gary Liss Associates, has worked with other communities developing and implementing Zero Waste plans.
Zero Waste Task Force Steering Committee
The Steering Committee consists of key City staff, the Task Force Co-Chairs, and our Zero Waste Consultant. The Steering Committee works to bring Zero Waste Policy and Plan issues before the Task Force for consensus prior to taking the issues to the community for feedback.
Community Participation
Participation from a diverse group is critical to the success of achieving Zero Waste in Palo Alto. Community stakeholders are encouraged to participate in meetings, surveys, and the process. Stakeholders include, but are not limited to:
- Palo Alto residents
- Business representatives within and outside the community representing all business sectors
- Environmental groups
- Other Sustainability organizations/efforts
- Other Zero Waste communties and efforts
- Academia
- Recycling and waste service providers
- Surrounding communities (Regional participation)
- Economic and community development groups and agencies
- Public and private purchasing departments
- Local media
Get Involved- Make Zero Waste Happen!
Getting to Zero Waste is a process. The Task Force is counting on community participation with surveys, meetings and discussions in order to prepare a Zero Waste Policy and Plan that works for the Palo Alto community. Read on then take action to get involved.
Email Distribution List
Subscribe to a distribution list, managed by City of Palo Alto staff, to receive stakeholder meeting notices and announcements. Send an email to zerowaste@cityofpaloalto.org and include your name and contact information.
Please note that you may receive additional emails if someone on the distribution list uses "Reply To All" to any emails sent out to the stakeholder group. It is requested that email recipients not "Reply To All" and use other means, such as Yahoo! Groups (see below) or contacting other stakeholders directly to conduct discussions. We want to be sensitive to stakeholders receiving unwanted emails.
