Could Zero Waste work in New Haven?

Zero waste is such an interesting concept, and yet when you utter the words 'zero waste' folks immediately find a reason why it won't work, why it's unfair, how hard it would be and near impossible to implement.

The problem I see, is that folks don't truly understand what the movement or suggested methodology of 'zero waste' is... it's like sustainability, transition, resiliance and other efforts we're encouragin our homes, businesses and communities to examine. It's a process and its something you are constantly moving towards.

Zero waste is nothing different. It's something we move towards, seeking to achieve a system that is more efficient leading to the production of less waste.

I've seen a couple of seminars on zero waste and one image really helped me understand what zero waste is about. Imagine an iceburg. We can see this incredible mound of ice and snow above the water's edge. But what's underneath?

This is the same with zero waste. We see the waste that is generated, but we don't really see the system that has created this waste and often feel we don't have control of 'what's under the water'.

Think about New Haven. We have a LOT of trash that is generated in our community. The City is saddled with the frustration, reality and expense of having to manage this trash - the strategies developed include recycling, yard waste collection, and a curbside collection program. We also have programs to manage our household hazardous waste, our electronic waste and our bulky waste.

While we, the residents of a community have the burden of developing programs to better collect these items in an environmental manner without going bankrupt, it's the businesses and manufacturers of these prodcuts that create the waste.

The idea of 'zero waste' is to look at the whole system - including those that create the products that create the waste. We need the manufacturers to take responsibility of all the materials generated from creating products and services including those that produce toxic and hazardous materials, materials that are not recyclable, and those developed to have only a short-life-span. The producers of these products make money, while the communities (and those of that pay taxes in those communities) pay for the problems those products create.

Looking at zero waste, examines issues like these. It begins to change this frame of the world. The specific example above leads to 'producer-responsibility' or 'product stewardship' programs - projects and programs where the producer of projects need to include the costs of proper disposal into the product.

Other zero waste strategies include:

Pay-as-you-throw, SMART or unit-based pricing systems for municipal recycling programs (pay for the amount you generate)

Environmentally preferred products (products without excess packaging or come in recyclable materials, reduced or no toxics in the manufacturering or use)

Strengthening the reuse/bartering system (libraries, thrift shops, reuse centers, municipal swap shops)

So is New Haven going FAR enough with their proposed curbside program? Hopefully it's just the beginning!