Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Zero Waste

Zero Waste

Zero Waste Helps Us
Reduce Waste Generated "Up Stream"

Iceberg

The waste we currently manage through reuse and recycling, is just the tip of this iceberg. Over 71% of the waste generated happens before products and items enter our homes, offices, schools and institutions. Zero waste provides a new way to think of the challenges and opportunities.  

What is Zero Waste?

Zero Waste is a philosophy and a design principle for the 21st Century. It includes 'recycling' but goes beyond recycling by taking a 'whole system' approach to the vast flow of resources and waste through human society.

Instead of viewing used materials as garbage in need of disposal, materials are recognized as valuable resources.  A pile of ‘trash’ represents community and economic opportunity including jobs and new products from raw materials.

The zero waste approach seeks to maximize recycling, minimize waste, reduce consumption and ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled back into nature or the marketplace.

Zero Waste: 
  • Redesigns the current, one-way industrial system into a circular system modeled on Nature's successful strategies– creating products and packaging that are durable, can be reused or easily recycled
  • Provides waste-based business opportunities to create jobs from discards
  • Recognizes the importance of producer responsibility
  • Aims to eliminate rather than manage waste
  • Works to end tax payer subsidies for use of virgin materials enabling reused and recycled products to compete.

Source: Grassroots Recycling Network and Massachusetts DEP Zero Waste Toolkit

Adopting Zero Waste Strategies for your Municipality

Becoming a ‘zero waste’ community is not about never generating any waste at all, but rather a policy goal to work towards.  In Ohio, Logan County has made a promise to work towards zero waste.  They view zero waste as a “philosophical fabric into which all programmatic elements will be woven.”  Here are their goals:

To realize the promise of Zero Waste the District must: 

  • expand recycling programs
  • increase participation in those programs
  • improve regional recycling and composting opportunities
  • encourage others to develop innovative and effective methods of waste reduction
  • develop incentives to move public and private interests toward Zero Waste methodologies
  • educate to encourage attitudes and behaviors toward green purchasing, resource conservation and recycling. 

Logan County recognizes that these changes will take time but that does not deter them from setting and reaching for a goal of zero waste in their district.  What about you?  Is your community ready to implement zero waste strategies?

State & County Efforts on Zero Waste


Municipal Zero Waste Ordinances or Resolutions


Cities and Towns Who Are Adopting Zero Waste Strategies


Case Studies: On the Path to Zero Waste


Zero Waste Resources

Disclaimer: The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) maintains the content on this web site to enhance public access to information and facilitate understanding of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The DEEP is not recommending these resources over any others and recognizes these represent only a partial listing of resources on this subject.

Content Last Updated February 2020