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Table of Contents
Zero Waste is a new word for an ancient concept that humans have abandoned on a large scale, but need to return to if we want to help return out planet to full health.
This page serves as a directory for small, local organizations which may or may not be members of Zero-Waste Networks. These organizations serve communities in a number of ways.
In addition to non-profits, we also offer directories for various types of organizations which might not be labeled as "zero-waste", but may never the less use zero-waste practices as a integral part of their business or organization model.
These include the following:
These organizations are smaller than the networks listed in our Zero Waste Networks directory. They focus on smaller regions, often offering education to adults and children alike. Some offer services to businesses, local data, useful tools and more.
The Bottle Bill Resource Guide "is an ongoing project of the Container Recycling Institute, dedicated to providing comprehensive information about beverage container deposit laws across the US and around the world."
Plastic Smart Cities "is a WWF initiative that supports a no plastic in nature agenda. Since 2018, the initiative has supported cities and coastal centers in taking bold action to stop plastic pollution, with a goal to reduce plastic leakage into nature by 30% in the near term, and achieving no plastics in nature by 2030."
ZeroWaste.Org exists to promote social and economic practices that move beyond extraction and exploitation by helping people understand, design, and implement zero waste and circular economy systems.
Ghana’s Waste Recovery Platform "We work with companies, governments, non-profits and other organizations to address complex challenges on a worldwide scale. Our partners contribute more than money. Their ideas, volunteer power, in-kind support and more are helping promoting waste recovery in Ghana."
Slums Going Green and Clean SGGC-KENYA "assists urban communities in adopting environmentally sustainable habits by creating awareness, inspiring involvement, and encouraging action." Kibera, Nairobi
Health Environment and Climate Action Foundation (HECAF360) "Working closely with various international development agencies as well as national and international NGOs, HECAF360 today manages an array of projects across 3 program areas: Health, Environment and Climate.
HECAF360 designs and implements innovative Zero Waste management systems in hospitals, schools, and municipalities. We encourage safe non-burn technology, support plastic waste management schemes on both institutional and community levels, and widely encourage the 3Rs of waste management: reduce—reuse—recycle."
Green Line Albania "GigaBit është dera më e re e Green Line Albania drejt botës së Shkencës, Teknologjisë & Inov" Facebook
Za Zemiata / ЗА ЗЕМЯТА (Zero Waste Bulgaria) "Сдружение ЗА ЗЕМЯТА е независима, неправителствена организация, обединяваща усилията на хора, решени да работят за създаване на природосъобразен и равнопоставен живот на нашата планета, който изключва експлоатацията на хората и природата.
ЗА ЗЕМЯТА работи в сътрудничество с екологични организации на национално и международно равнище."
Zelena Akcija (Friends of the Earth Croatia) "već više od 20 godina aktivno radi na unaprjeđenju sustava gospodarenja otpadom u Zagrebu, a zajedno s udrugom Pravo na grad 2015. je pokrenula kampanju „Zagreb – europska prijestolnica smeća“."
Friends of the Earth Cyprus / Φίλοι της Γης "Friends of the Earth works with local communities and cities in Cyprus for the adoption drastic and holistic measures for waste prevention, all while raising public awareness towards the adoption of smarter lifestyles and sustainable consumption patterns in line with “circular” resource management."
Hnutí DUHA (Friends of the Earth Czech Republic) "Odpady jsou pouze nevyužitý zdroj surovin. V přírodě žádné odpady nejsou. Vše je surovinou. Naši experti pracují na evropské, národní, regionální i místní úrovni na tom, aby tomu tak skutečně bylo."
Let’s Do It Foundation "was established in 2011 to support the growth of a civic movement of nation-wide cleanup actions. Over the years we have mobilised 36 million positive-minded, action-orientated people in 169 countries. After calling to life World Cleanup Day – the biggest civic action against waste – we are continuing our work towards a waste free world. While people can have a comparatively similar impact when cleaning, they can have a substantially greater impact as influencers in their communities.
To tackle the problem at source, we have put together a helpful guideline the Keep It Clean Plan, to help anyone get started who feels they could do more. Our programs are built around the concepts of circular economy and zero waste."
Zero Waste Italy "ZWI ha il compito primario di raccordare le iniziative Zero Waste italiane con le reti europee e mondiali."
Нуль відходів Львів / Zero Waste Lviv "Місією ГО “Нуль відходів Львів” є сприяння реалізації принципів zero waste в Україні шляхом створення зразкового муніципалітету – Львова, який стане прикладом для інших міст."
Scotland
Circular Communities Scotland "As well as supporting and representing our members, we are also involved in projects and programmes to support the third sector, in pursuit of zero waste."
Circular Communities Scotland: Map "Our members map has something for everyone – from shopping reuse, learning new sustainable skills, repairing broken items or getting involved in your local community’s climate action activities."
Zero Waste Scotland "exists to lead Scotland to use products and resources responsibly, focusing on where we can have the greatest impact on climate change."
British Colombia
Recycling Council of British Colombia "We’re BC’s trusted source of information on local curbside recycling services, province-wide Extended Producer Responsibility and stewardship programs, share, reuse and repair options, as well as best practices from around the world."
La Zero Waste Costa Rica "se dedica a impulsar el manejo adecuado de residuos orgánicos y reciclables por medio de capacitaciones y asesorías. Se involucra en educación, generación de conocimiento, capacitación, difusión de información, asesorías, certificación y en construir alianzas con diferentes sectores de la sociedad."
Fundación Héroes del Medio Ambiente "Organización socioambiental sin fines de lucro incorporada en la República Dominicana." "Explorando las posibilidades de la utilización de residuos plásticos para la construcción de viviendas económicas en la República Dominicana con Carlos Levinton del Centro Experimental de la Producción de la Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (FADU UBA) y Florencia Breyter del proyecto Fábricas Sociales de la ciudad de Buenos Aires."
Container Recycling Institute "CRI’s mission is to make North America a global model for the collection and quality recycling of packaging materials."
Eco-Cycle this organization's "mission is to innovate, implement, and advocate for local and global Zero Waste solutions to foster a more regenerative, equitable, and climate-resilient future."
Global Anti Incineration Alliance (GAIA) "Join us and hundreds of municipal officials and waste management implementers from around the world for this virtual interactive event. Together with experts and advocates, we will discuss the latest trends around zero waste — the most cost-effective way to phase out waste disposal, create better jobs, build resilient communities, facilitate just transition and take climate action." Instagram, LinkTree
Health Care Without Harm "works to transform health care worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability and a leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice."
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance "has a vision of thriving, diverse, equitable communities. To reach this vision, we build local power to fight corporate control. We are a national research and advocacy organization that partners with allies across the country to build an American economy driven by local priorities and accountable to people and the planet.
Local self-reliance means that people are able to exercise power over our lives: how we provide for our families, how resources are shared and allocated in our communities, and how decisions made by government, corporations and business affect all of us.
We recognize the biggest challenges in the U.S. today are corporate control and diminishing community power which undermines the strength of our democracy and local economies. For us, local self-reliance is the best answer to these challenges.
So whether it’s fighting back against the outsize power of monopolies like Amazon, ensuring high-quality locally-driven broadband service for all, or advocating to keep local renewable energy in the community that produced it, ILSR advocates for solutions that harness the power of citizens and communities."
Zero Waste America "This website is devoted to educating visitors on the state of waste management in the U.S. and what you can do about it. Much of the information is still current, but some is dated. So please, take the time to explore the many webpages contained within."
Zero Waste USA "is a nonprofit organization and a Zero Waste International Alliance national affiliate with the goal of inspiring communities to embrace and achieve Zero Waste."
California
CASA (Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda) is a community-wide coalition dedicated to raising awareness, mobilizing community action, and facilitating the implementation of programs to achieve the goal of Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (to reduce Alameda’s carbon emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by the year 2030) and to increase community sustainability and well-being."
Northern California Recycling Association "NCRA is an association of recycling businesses, community groups, municipalities, and individuals committed to promoting, expanding, and institutionalizing recycling. Founded in 1978, NCRA is a nonprofit trade organization for recyclers with around 200 members, the majority of whom are located in Northern California. Boat rockers, we are active locally, regionally, state-wide and nationally depending on what needs to be done.
NCRA promotes waste reduction, reuse, salvaging, recycling, and composting as vital tools for resource and energy conservation, and as cost-effective, environmentally sound methods of disposing of discarded materials."
Race to Zero Waste "is a nonprofit that brings zero waste concepts to life by taking action! Race to Zero Waste (R20W) is devoted to educating the public on zero waste principles and an equitable circular economy. We promote key zero waste principles such as reuse, source reduction, re-earth, and avoidance of single-use plastics. These efforts can have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions around the world. Given our changing climate, we recognize the urgency to learn the facts and fight to prevent irreversible trends. The time is now for all of us to Race to Zero Waste!"
Zero Waste Humboldt "Zero Waste Humboldt specializes in providing waste reduction solutions through public education, advocacy, and technical assistance and training.
ZWH provides services on traditional Wiyot territory. We are learning to participate in processes to acknowledge historical atrocities, honor the sovereignty of Native Tribes/Nations, and find ways to engage in developing deeper relationships and true partnerships with our neighbors of Wiyot and other indigenous ancestry. To support the efforts of the Wiyot Tribe and to learn more, contact: http://www.honortax.org/ and https://www.wiyot.us/."
Zero Waste San Diego "Empowering San Diego County On Sustainable Resource Management Through Education, Awareness, & Action"
Hawaii
Maui Recycling Service "protecting Maui and the planet for more than 25 years!
Our mission is to provide an easy way for Maui
to recycle and, overall, to help make
Maui environmentally sustainable!
We fuel our work trucks and personal cars with 100% recycled vegetable oil, (biodiesel)
We buy only tree-free or 100% recycled paper...
Avoid buying plastics whenever possible...
Support local businesses and charities...
We are a small, private company that lives what we believe... and are doing our best to protect this beautiful island, today and for the future...
Reduce, reuse, recycle!
Rethink!"
Massachusetts
Municipal Reuse & Repair Programs "Reuse and repair extend the useful lives of many items, conserve natural resources, reduce waste disposal, and save people and communities money."
New York
Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (SWAB) "Created in 1989 under Local Law 19, the MSWAB advances ideas, insights, and initiatives to achieve NYC’s Zero Waste x 2030 goal."
Texas
Austin Yellow Bike Program (YBP) "holds free bike repair classes, hosts an open shop in which the public can get assistance in fixing up their own bikes, and sells used bikes to the public which they've refurbished. YBP also sometimes fixes up old bikes, paints them yellow, and leaves them around town where they are free to use, but not to keep."
Washington, DC
Resources for the Future "is an independent, nonprofit research institution in Washington, DC."
Tasmania
Rethink Waste Tasmania: Tip Shop Trail "Tasmania’s Tip Shops are far from trashy. In fact, they can contain a treasure trove of bargains that are definitely too good to waste. Whether you’re looking for bikes or books, kitchenware or clothing, tools, tables or even a kitchen sink, chances are your local Tip Shop has a bargain just waiting to be discovered. So, go local or use our handy Tasmanian Tip Shop Trail map to go roaming. Either way you’ll be doing your wallet, the environment and maybe even a local charity some good by choosing to rethink and re-use!"
Sustainability Trust "As a leader in sustainability in the Wellington region, it is important that we support our communities to take climate change action and nurture their relationship with Papatūānuku. To do this, we must make sure that our own whare is in order and be an exemplar as a sustainable business.
In short, sustainability is more than a part of our name, it’s our way of being."
Waiheke Recovery Shop "connected to the Waiheke Community Resource Recovery Park, is run by Island Waste Collective (IWC).
The Recovery Shop plays a useful role in diverting unwanted items away from landfill for reuse or recycling.
You can hunt for bargains, and donations of quality used goods can be taken to the Waiheke Community Resource Recovery Park at 108-110 Ostend Road, Waiheke."
Wastebusters "We reduce, reuse and recycle to champion behaviour change. Our place is a hub which connects people, things and ideas."
Xtreme Zero Waste "Community Recycling Services & Resource recovery centre founded by families in the community (2000).
We are a whanau working together with yours, towards zero waste.
Ko te mahi ngatahi kia para kore te whenua."
Fundación Ecologista Verde "Somos una organización de la sociedad civil sin fines de lucro.
Destinada a promover los principios del desarrollo sostenible, buscando incidir en las decisiones de gobiernos, empresas y organizaciones de la sociedad civil a favor de la adopción de políticas, programas, proyectos y prácticas sostenibles que promuevan la ciudadanía, el respeto de la diversidad social y natural y el uso de tecnologías apropiadas para el cuidado y la regeneración del ambiente.
Somos Organización Partner de NEPCon (Naturaleza, Economía y Personas Conectadas), entidad internacional sin fines de lucro, con presencia en más de 100 países, cuya misión es apoyar un mejor uso de los suelos y las prácticas empresariales que beneficien a las personas, la naturaleza y el clima. Su visión es un mundo donde las decisiones humanas aseguren un futuro sostenible."
Zero Waste Brazil / Instituto Lixo Zero Brasil (ILZB) "Somos um grupo de pessoas movidas pelo sonho de um mundo lixo zero!
O Instituto Lixo Zero Brasil (ILZB) é uma organização da sociedade civil autônoma, sem fins lucrativos pioneira na disseminação do conceito Lixo Zero no Brasil."
Zero Waste Youth International Meetings "Que tal desacelerar a máquina juntos? Vamos ser gratos pelo o que já temos e reinventar as coisas?
Dando continuidade ao nosso Global Action Calendar, convidamos vocês a tomar novas atitudes nesse mês de Fevereiro.
Vamos nos questionar sobre o que consumimos, dar novas utilidades a coisas que já temos e sermos criativos..."
Alianza Basura Cero Chile "Red de organizaciones y personas naturales que trabajan activamente por el manejo sustentable de los residuos sólidos urbanos, nuestros bienes comunes, la justicia ambiental y la incidencia en políticas públicas bajo el enfoque"
Basura Cero Global "Somos una Organización no Gubernamental (ONG), líder en establecer sinergias entre el sector público, privado y la ciudadanía en general para que se incorporen los conceptos de Reducir, Reutilizar y Reciclar (3R) en la Gestión Integral de Residuos con el fin de alcanzar metas Basura Cero y economía circular a nivel internacional."
Alianza Basura Cero Uruguay "Representa 🇺🇾 en la Zero Waste International Alliance Integra la Red Uruguaya de ONGs Ambientalistas"
Гроші "– цільове фінансування на розвиток: гранти, премії, стипендії, конкурси, де передбачена грошова винагорода, а також тендери від міжнародних організацій"
Scotland
Circular Textile Fund "All types of businesses can apply for the Circular Textiles Fund. Whether you make the initial fabrics, design the garments, manufacture textile products, sell them or rent them out or if you use a lot of textiles in your operations, like large volumes of bedding or uniforms.
Even if you are not a textile business at all, but can bring innovative and disruptive new tech or systems that can help accelerate a move to circularity."
Massachusetts
MassDEP Funding "The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) encourages your town or city to implement local reuse and repair programs, and offers financial assistance in support of them..."