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Zero Waste

We believe the Zero Waste movement has many laudable goals, including promoting green jobs and educating society about the benefits of moving away from living in a throw away culture. We are glad to assist the Zero Waste movement and have created this page on our website to promote its goals.

What is Zero Waste?

According to the Californians Against Waste website, Zero Waste is "a concept aimed at eliminating waste and redefining the way in which we manage and use our resources. Zero waste looks at developing and creating products that would use fewer materials and could be easily reused and recycled back into nature or the market place."
Taken to the extreme, Zero Waste means exactly what it says: making no waste at all...
Read the full article

Marin's Zero Waste Feasibility Study

The Marin Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Joint Powers Authority (JPA) has established a Zero Waste Goal of achieving 80 percent waste reduction in the next five years and zero disposal by 2025. To address how best to meet this Zero Waste Goal, the JPA initiated a “Zero Waste Feasibility Study.”

Read the report (pdf)

What You Can Do

For decades environmental advocates and climate-change experts have encouraged the public to adopt better recycling habits. Now we're being encouraged to re-think throwing anything in a bin, and instead we're turning to new and improved ways to smartly reuse everyday items. Here are a few things you can do right now to start on the path toward zero waste in your household.

Shop Wisely

Be conscientious about the items you buy. Think about the packaging waste before you purchase and support those companies who are doing their part to reduce wasted packaging. Highly processed foods take more energy to produce. Organic foods have a lesser environmental impact in their production. Lucky for us, Marin has some wonderful, local, organic providers.

The Marin Farmer's Market

Use Your Own Bags

Paper or plastic? Neither! Durable, reusable bags are not only handy, they go a long waytoward reducing waste. It's a sobering thought, but less than 5% of plastic bags are ever recycled. And paper? Paper bags are made of mostly virgin pulp from trees.
Just say no to one-use bags. Opt instead for reusable bags. Keep some handy in your trunk and use them every time you go shopping (and not just for food!).

Put a Stop to Junk Mail

The Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition (BayROC), has some advice about what you can do to stop junk mail.

Visit StopJunkMail.org to learn more

Travel with Your Own Cups

If you're used to a double soy latte every morning from your favorite local coffee shop, do the earth a favor and bring your own cup. Not only will you save waste, you may even save a few pennies—some places will give you a discount for bringing your own mug. Wonder how much waste you've contributed with your coffee cups?

Use the coffee waste calculator

A Zero Waste Family in Marin

Interested in how to live a Zero Waste lifestyle here in Marin? Follow the trials and triumphs of living Zero Waste with a family of four in this blog by our friend and Mill Valley resident.

www.zerowastehome.blogspot.com

Useful Links

Marin Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority (JPA)

Here you can read the "Zero Waste Feasibility Study" and find an expanded (but possibly not current) list of local recycling resources and hazardous waste drop off sites.

Zero Waste California

The official site of California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRycycle) that includes information on programs that are important to the long-term vitality of California’s environment and economy.

California Integrated Waste Management Board YouTube Channel

Video's from CalRecycle promoting various ways Californian's can "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" toward a Zero Waste society.

Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition

The BayROC Coalition serves San Francisco Bay Area jurisdictions and residents by providing information and promoting personal action to reduce waste.

Californians Against Waste

A non-profit environmental research and advocacy organization that is dedicated to conserving resources, preventing pollution and protecting California's environment through the development, promotion and implementation of waste reduction and recycling policies and programs.

green.tv features films and videos with viewpoints from the world's leading environmental organizations, including UNEP, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Water Aid, IUCN, Stop Climate Chaos and many many more.

*These sites are not necessarily endorsed by Mill Valley Refuse.