Zero Waste: An Overview

Lauren Fernandez

Zero Waste Policy Analyst

Conservation Law Foundation

How did we end up here?

The waste crisis

267.8 millions tons of trash generated in the US in 2017 alone

• Big corporations drive a single-use, convenience culture
• No such thing as “away” for our trash

Recycling alone is not enough

Only 9% of plastics have ever been recycled

Many single-use plastics are not recyclable

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• Where most of our waste ends up

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• Disproportionately impact BIPOC and/or low-income communities

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• Contributes to climate change

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Incinerators, landfills, and litter

What is zero waste?

Rethinking our waste

• Redesigning how goods are made to reduce waste

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• Rethinking and advocating for effective waste and recycling policies

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• Reducing our dependency on landfills and incinerators

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Reuse Policy

• From single-use plastics to reusable, sustainable goods
• Single-use plastics upon request or single-use bans

Producer Responsibility

• Corporations created the waste crisis, and we need to hold them accountable
• Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging
• Better Bottle Bill

Food Waste

• Food scraps and yard waste up more than 30% of our waste stream
• Large-scale composting systems
• Food waste bans- Hamilton, MA

Phasing Out Landfills & Incinerators

• Work with residents to shut down polluting high-heat facilities
• Prevent new greenwashed, facilities from being built

How can you support

zero waste?

Support zero waste legislation

• Both EPR for packaging and the Better Bottle Bill are in the MA legislation for consideration
• Contact legislators to show your support

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CLF Membership

• Explore our website at clf.org
• Consider becoming a member
• Questions? Email membership@clf.org

Thank you!

�� Questions about zero waste?

Email me!

Lfernandez@clf.org

Social media:

Follow CLF on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook!

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