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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
When you think of climate change mitigation and reducing your carbon footprint, you probably think of driving less and turning out the lights; but did you know that organic and inorganic waste that you produce is also a huge contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions?
A zero waste lifestyle not only keeps material out of our landfills, but it reduces our greenhouse footprints.
● When organic waste decomposes, carbon dioxide and methane gas is created. Methane is created when there is no air present, while carbon dioxide is the natural product when anything rots in air.
● The production and incineration of inorganic waste uses natural resources such as water, fuel, metal, timber in their production and this results in the emission of greenhouse gasses, particularly carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
● Plastic waste produces greenhouse gas emissions during every stage of its lifecycle. The extraction and transportation of plastic is dependent on oil, gas, and coal. The production and disposal of plastics also release tons of carbon emissions.
● Waste management (transportation, incineration, etc.) is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Problems with Waste Management
Problems with Waste Management
People in the waste managment industry are working all over the world to find better ways to manage waste. This section includes some old fashioned methods and their problems, as well as issues with some of the better management options.
Incineration
Incineration
Toxic Emissions
Toxic Emissions
"Waste incineration contributes to the unintentional releases of mercury into the atmosphere.
Most of the mercury from wastes that are incinerated is thermally released during the combustion process and emitted directly into the atmosphere, with most of it returning to the earth through rain or dry deposition. Normally, the mercury content in the medical, hazardous, sewage sludge and municipal solid waste streams originates from discarded products and chemicals that contain or contaminated with mercury such as paint residues, discarded electrical equipment, thermometers, pharmaceuticals, fluorescent lamps, dental amalgam waste, batteries, and laboratory chemicals among others.
The mercury content in the general waste stream originates from three main groups of inputs:
intentionally used mercury in discarded products;
natural mercury impurities in high-volume materials (plastics, paper, etc.) and minerals;
mercury as a human-generated trace pollutant in high-volume (e.g. recycled) materials.
The mercury concentrations in the waste stream are directly dependent on the inputs of mercury to the waste. If possible, mercury sources should be separated from the mainstream waste before incineration. An issue that causes concern is the disposal of the residual ash that most surely contains mercury (if the waste incinerated contained or were contaminated with mercury) as well as the mercury that is entrapped in the pollution control systems. Mercury-containing waste should never be burned or incinerated unless special flue gas controls are in place to capture the mercury." - Zero Mercury: Waste Incineration
Landfills
Landfills
Recycling
Recycling
Solutions
Solutions
Combat Planned Obsolescence
Combat Planned Obsolescence
Click here to learn about planned obsolescence and things we can do to push back.
Research Before Buying
Research Before Buying
BuyItForLife on reddit allows you to share and read other people's experiences with different products.
Looria (previously ExitReviews) allows people to share reviews and photos of products that have lasted daily use or failed shockingly fast.
Support Right to Repair Laws
Support Right to Repair Laws
Circular Economy
Circular Economy
Circular economy focuses on reducing material extraction and waste, by turning waste into energy or useable materials. There also needs to be focus on creating safe, fairly paid jobs, and attention to potential ramifications that may result in more waste being created due to the Waste-Resource Paradox.
Circular economy can include:
Composting
Tech recycling
Turning textiles into new textiles or down cycling it into insulation.
Calls to Action
Calls to Action
Reduce Overall Consumption
Reduce Overall Consumption
The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product emits greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change and requires a lot of materials and energy - raw materials must be extracted from the earth, and the product must be fabricated then transported to wherever it will be sold. As a result, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money.
Avoid Materials without Good Disposal Options
Avoid Materials without Good Disposal Options
PFAS - Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
PFAS - Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
"In 1946, DuPont introduced Teflon to the world, changing millions of people’s lives – and polluting their bodies. Today, the family of compounds including Teflon, commonly called PFAS, is found not only in pots and pans but also in the blood of people around the world, including 99 percent of Americans. PFAS chemicals pollute water, do not break down, and remain in the environment and people for decades. Some scientists call them “forever chemicals."" "Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS chemicals, are a family of thousands of chemicals used to make water-, grease- and stain-repellent coatings for a vast array of consumer goods and industrial applications. These chemicals are notoriously persistent in the environment and the human body, and some have been linked to serious health hazards." "A robust body of research reveals a chemical crisis of epic proportions. Nearly all Americans are affected by exposure to PFAS chemicals in drinking water, food and consumer products." and "The two most notorious PFAS chemicals – PFOA, formerly used by DuPont to make Teflon, and PFOS, an ingredient in 3M’s Scotchgard – were phased out under pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency after scientific evidence of serious health problems came to light. The manufacture, use and importation of both PFOA and PFOS are now effectively banned in the U.S., but evidence suggests the next-generation PFAS chemicals that have replaced them may be just as toxic. PFAS chemicals pollute water, do not break down and remain in the environment and in people for decades." - https://www.ewg.org/areas-focus/toxic-chemicals/pfas-chemicals#1
DuPont’s Teflon changed our lives, but also polluted our bodies. Today, Teflon-like compounds called PFAS are found in the blood of almost all Americans. These “forever chemicals” pollute water, don’t break down, and remain in the environment and people for decades.www.ewg.org/areas-focus/toxic-chemicals/pfas-chemicals#1According to the source above and to the left, studies have linked PFAS chemicals to:
● Testicular, kidney, liver and pancreatic cancer.
● Weakened childhood immunity.
● Low birth weight.
● Endocrine disruption.
● Increased cholesterol.
● Weight gain in children and dieting adults.
For more information, to ask a question, or contribute to the conversation, please visit the post on PFAS at our Reddit community r/PlaneteerHandbook or click the button below for our PFAS resource page.
Pesticides
Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill pests, including insects (insecticides), weeds (herbicides), and fungi (fungicides). The USGS assesses the occurrence and behavior of pesticides in streams, lakes, and groundwater and the potential for pesticides to contaminate our drinking-water supplies or harm aquatic ecosystems. - https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/pesticides-and-water-quality
Pesticide contamination of groundwater is a subject of national importance because groundwater is used for drinking water by about 50 percent of the Nation's population.
This especially concerns people living in the agricultural areas where pesticides are most often used, as about 95 percent of that population relies upon groundwater for drinking water. Before the mid-1970s, it was thought that soil acted as a protective filter that stopped pesticides from reaching groundwater. Studies have now shown that this is not the case. Pesticides can reach water-bearing aquifers below ground from applications onto crop fields, seepage of contaminated surface water, accidental spills and leaks, improper disposal, and even through injection waste material into wells. - https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/pesticides-groundwat
You can read about non-lethal and pesticide-free pest control on our Farmer Action page, in the Pest Control section:
Plastics
Plastics
Plastics are generally made from petrochemicals, meaning that fossil fuel companies are willing to ramp up plastic production 300% over the next few decades, even though they know doing so will harm the planet.
Only a tiny fraction of plastic is ever recycled, and even then it can only be done about once as the molecules are degraded. This means that unlike metals, plastics can never truly be part of a circular economy.
Bioplastics are becoming more common, but they don't have the facilities to actually be recycled, and building up infrastructure is a huge bottle neck in the potential of these plastics with petrochemicals dominating the market. There's also the lingering question of how biodegradable or recyclable bioplastics can be, or how turning to bioplastics may increase land degradation, water pollution, and deforestation when we could use reusable options such as glass or metal, or biodegradable options such as bamboo or banana leaves.
This site promotes ideas such as plastic brick homes, turning ghost gear into quality goods, and joining groups such as Precious Plastic, but these "solutions" can't protect our planet without us also "turning off the valve" of destruction caused by our current mass overproduction of plastic.
Glow Sticks
Glow Sticks
Unfortunately, there is no safe and environmentally friendly way to recycle glow sticks. Because of the use of chemicals, the plastic cannot be reused or repurposed. As for the substances and the glow sticks overall, they end up polluting our soil in landfills. Check out the links beneath for safe disposal suggestions, and Earth-Friendly alternatives.
Properly Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste
Properly Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste
Almost all people use household products that have the potential to be hazardous. Ordinary products such as cleaning products, batteries, light bulbs, paint, pesticides and motor oil can be harmful and potentially dangerous if disposed of incorrectly. Some products may cause fires or contaminate our soil, groundwater, lakes and streams. Other products contain chemicals that can expose both children and adults to serious health risks if toxic levels of the chemicals are breathed in, swallowed or come in contact with skin. When these products are not used up completely or are no longer wanted by the consumers, and need to be disposed of, they become classified as household hazardous waste.
Minimize Impact of Non-Hazardous Waste
Minimize Impact of Non-Hazardous Waste
Food Waste
Food Waste
Food loss and waste is estimated to be roughly one third of the food intended for human consumption in the United States. When food is discarded, all inputs used in producing, processing, transporting, preparing, and storing discarded food are also wasted. Food loss and waste also exacerbates the climate change crisis with its significant greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Production, transportation, and handling of food generate significant Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions and when food ends up in landfills, it generates methane, an even more potent greenhouse gas.
The connection between food loss and waste and climate change is increasingly recognized as important and so is the link between climate change and agriculture and supply chain resiliency. We are increasingly seeing how extreme weather events are disruptive to both agriculture and supply chain resiliency.
"Methane from human activity is emitted by five key industries: oil and gas, coal, agriculture, solid waste, and waste water."
Global methane from human activities, % share. 100% = 380 metric megatons of methane per year.
"Other" includes industry and vehicle transport emissions.
Razor Blades
Razor Blades
Many readers may not realize it, but razors are a huge source of pollution. According to Earth911, the EPA estimates that 2 billion disposable razors are thrown into landfills each year. That’s an astonishing amount of plastic and metal waste that might otherwise have been recycled. Thankfully, there are plenty of safe and sustainable ways to dispose of razor blades that don’t involve just tossing them in the trash.
Synthetic (Plastic) Hair Braids
Synthetic (Plastic) Hair Braids
Rebundle's Plastic Braid Recycling Service appears to serve the USA, Canada, and the UK. They sell banana fiber hair extensions, but do not recycle banana or human hair wigs/extensions. This service is only for plastic hair pieces.
Food Packaging
Food Packaging
Carboard Cartons
Carboard Cartons
These are generally thrown away intead of recycled because most facilities don't have the technology to break them up properly. Fortunately some companies are puting research into and scaling up methods for turning old cartons into useful products. The video below explains how milk cartons in Thailand are turned into building materials and donated to people who have needed to rebuild after extreme weather.
Technology
Technology
CDs
CDs
Washington
GreenDisk "Now there is one place for you to responsibly and securely dispose of all your computer-related waste, spent supplies and obsolete accessories. GreenDisk handles all your technotrash disposal needs from a CD to a laptop and just about everything in between. (Want to see a full list of what we take?) You can stop worrying about what to do with all of that technotrash piling up in your office, store room, attic, or garage. Let GreenDisk safely and securely destroy your old data, recover reusable components, and recycle all of the rest of your accumulated technotrash - all at your convenience, at home or at work."
Floppy Disks
Floppy Disks
North America
North America
California
FloppyDisk: Recycle "We recycle old floppy disks and buy new floppy disks." "We accept any quantity of diskettes. If you send more than 200 disks, we reimburse shipping based on media mail rates."
Washington
GreenDisk "Now there is one place for you to responsibly and securely dispose of all your computer-related waste, spent supplies and obsolete accessories. GreenDisk handles all your technotrash disposal needs from a CD to a laptop and just about everything in between. (Want to see a full list of what we take?) You can stop worrying about what to do with all of that technotrash piling up in your office, store room, attic, or garage. Let GreenDisk safely and securely destroy your old data, recover reusable components, and recycle all of the rest of your accumulated technotrash - all at your convenience, at home or at work."
Textiles
Textiles
North America
North America
FABSCRAP This organization has drop off locations in Brooklyn and Philadelphia. You can also shop with them for fabric by the yard, ribbons, buttons, bulldog clips, paper clips, binder rings, mendable clothing packs, etc.
SeaBags: Sail Trade Program "Every Sea Bag is handcrafted from recycled sail material. Without our network of devoted sail traders, Sea Bags could not have kept 700+ tons of sail cloth from the landfill. Through our various Sail Acquisition channels, we make the process of trading a sail easy for you. Give new life to an old sail and recycle it with us."
Zkano: Zkano Recycles in Alabama will accept your socks for recycling.
Wood Chips
Wood Chips
International
International
ChipDrop is an app that allows arborists to make free donations of wood chips, palm fiber, and logs to gardeners who have signed up on the waiting list. “ChipDrop is available in every major metro area in the US and in other countries as well. We're always expanding! If you want to find out what our level of service is in your particular area, you can use this form on the home page of our website: https://getchipdrop.com/#activity"
Donate Don't Dump
Donate Don't Dump
Africa
Africa
Legs for Africa "If you have a prosthetic leg that is no longer being used, then join the thousands of other donors who have already recycled theirs."
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Scope "Donating and recycling used disability equipment When you have disability equipment that is no longer needed, you may be able to give it to someone else."
North America
North America
USA
USA
GreenDrop "Every time you drop off clothing and household items, GreenDrop® pays our nonprofit and charity partners for your donations, helping them fund their programs in your community."
PickUpPlease "Your generous donations of clothing and other household goods make a big difference in the lives of America’s Veterans and their families. The items you donate generate the majority of the funding to support local, state, and national programs of the Vietnam Veterans of America."
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Bower "Donate your household goods to the Bower! We’ll resell them back to the community at low cost, or get them to people in need via our House to Home program."
Recycling Guide Australia lists places that will accept certain types of donations for reuse, such as blankets for animal shelters, or specific organizations that take specific items.
School/Office Supplies
School/Office Supplies
International
International
Develop Africa: Donate School Supplies "we have collected supplies from donors from the US, Australia, the UK, and Germany, to name just a few, and distributed several hundred barrels (drums) to over 87 schools in 8 African countries (Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania)."
Pens for Kids "We welcome donations of pens and pencils, old and new, as long as they're in working order. Please send anything you can spare via standard postal services to their Address in Hertfordshire, England."
Africa
Africa
Develop Africa: Donate School Supplies "we have collected supplies from donors from the US, Australia, the UK, and Germany, to name just a few, and distributed several hundred barrels (drums) to over 87 schools in 8 African countries (Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania)."
Relief Inc.: Pencil Project "Children in Liberia are in dire need of school supplies. The average classroom lacks the basic, essential school supplies to provide a meaningful educational experience for kids." "If you already have school and office supplies that you do not need (regardless of the quantity), please send them to us. We welcome new, and gently used supplies of all types." Mail to their office in California, USA for shipment to Liberia, Africa.
Asia
Asia
Philippines
Maliyaa Foundation Accepts used school supplies, clothing, shoes, and sports gear from Australian students to give to students in needin the Philippines.
Singapore
Save That Pen "gives used and unwanted pens a new lease of life. We collect donated pens from around Singapore, refill them, and pass them on to underprivileged students in Singapore and the region.
Pens are not easily recyclable in the context of today's technological landscape. Where feasible, we recycle the plastic and metal parts from the non-refillable and non-reusable pens. Otherwise, we may use the remaining pen parts for upcycling activities to raise awareness about waste in meaningful ways."
Vietnam
Blue Dragon: Gifts in Kind works to help human trafficking victims, and accepts school supplies like pens and pencils, as well as hygiene supplies, and items that improve development such as board games and puzzles. "Please note, we do not recommend shipping in-kind-donations from overseas due to import taxes."
Europe
Europe
UK
Pens for Kids "We welcome donations of pens and pencils, old and new, as long as they're in working order. Please send anything you can spare via standard postal services to their Address in Hertfordshire, England."
North America
North America
Canada
Supply Victoria: Pens a resale shop in British Colombia.
Tools for School "In some areas of the Alberta Capital Region, the need for backpacks filled with school supplies is as high as 8 in 10 students. United Way’s Tools for School aims to reduce one known barrier preventing children and youth from successful learning and participation in school. Through support of community donors and corporate sponsors, we continue to meet the needs of children and youth in our community. To ensure students are not identified as accessing the program, we ask that no company logos appear on donated items. All donations must be new or unused."
USA
Relief Inc.: Pencil Project "Children in Liberia are in dire need of school supplies. The average classroom lacks the basic, essential school supplies to provide a meaningful educational experience for kids." "If you already have school and office supplies that you do not need (regardless of the quantity), please send them to us. We welcome new, and gently used supplies of all types." Mail to their office in California, USA for shipment to Liberia, Africa.
SCARCE "accepts a variety of items for reuse or recycling as part of our effort to help people and our planet prosper." Addison, Illinois.
Schoolhouse Supplies "accepts donations of new or reusable school, office supplies, art supplies, and other learning materials that are suitable for classrooms. In turn, we distribute these items to eligible schools, which helps us fulfill our mission of providing free school supplies to low-income students. It also helps us keep reusable goods out of the waste stream. If you’d like to make a donation, please review the list of items we are currently accepting and not accepting." Portland, Oregon
Texas Art Asylum "Part craft store, part thrift store, part salvage yard and part antique store, our inventory is collected from businesses, institutions and individuals who recognize that their materials are suitable for reuse, repurposing or upcycling. In the right creative hands many materials can live second or third useful lives.
We offer these items for sale to artists, educators and crafters in search of high quality reclaimed materials. Our ever-changing inventory inspires creative reuse!
There is always something new to see and inspiration to be found wandering our aisles. Classes and workshops led by some of Houston's finest artists and crafters provide hands-on experience. The Texas Art Asylum also offers educational opportunities in conjunction with the Houston Center for Creative Reuse."The WasteShed "is committed to serving the creative and educational communities in Chicago. It is supported by the Chicago Community Trusts’ Young Leaders Fund, the Field Foundation, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, to name a few, but you can support it too. Pack your markers and other arts and crafts supplies in boxes and take them to their locations" in Chicago or Evanston.
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Good360 "Our mission is to ensure the excess goods and services businesses produce every year flow to people in need, rather than going to waste and stressing people, communities and the planet.
As Australia’s largest online marketplace for businesses to donate spare and excess goods, we partner with some of Australia’s leading brands and retailers to source essential goods and distribute them throughout Australia via our network of diverse not-for-profits and disadvantaged schools, supporting people in need."Give Write "We gratefully accept donations of new, near new or slightly pre-loved school stationery items for repackaging to families who need help the most." "in the Western Australian community"
Green Collect their "office collection services are designed for businesses in the midst of relocating, refitting office spaces, or doing a big clear out. We collect your excess items, including stationery, electrical items, IT equipment and furniture, and find their best environmental outcome. We’ll provide you with a report on the environmental and social impact your business has achieved.
Make your office move a green move - and generate positive social and environmental impact for a world without waste.
For businesses setting up an office, we supply quality second-hand furniture, IT equipment and stationery for your new space." they have offices in Victoria.Maliyaa Foundation Accepts used school supplies, clothing, shoes, and sports gear from Australian students to give to students in needin the Philippines.
PENCILS Community "is a group dedicated to helping children achieve the write stuff." They "have sent pencil packs to children in more than 15 countries as well as local and indigenous communities in Australia."
ReMida Perth "directly repurposes unwanted materials into education and arts settings throughout WA."
Reverse Art Truck Inc. (formerly Reverse Garbage Truck Inc.) "Shop at Ringwood and Narre Warren" "We DO accept 2nd-hand premium artist-grade pens and pencils but are unable to accept anything less."
Reverse Garbage in Marrickville, New South Wales accepts many items including pens, pencils, envelopes, and notebooks for resale.
Reverse Garbage Queensland "only eco arts and reuse co-operative specialising in the collection of clean industrial discards and other high quality materials for re-sale back to the public. Every week we're saving approximately 2 tonnes of reusable 'waste' from landfill.
Visit us at our warehouse at 20 Burke Street, Woolloongabba"Roundabout Cannaberra "We accept pencils, pens, textas (please check they work still, or new packs!), activity books, glue sticks (good condition), rulers, paper/craft supplies, exercise books, plain coloured paper." Backpacks and many other items are welcome too.
Stationary Aid "collects, sorts, cleans, renews and donates excess and used education resources by creating booklist and stationery boxes for our most vulnerable and disadvantaged students to start the school year."
Stationery Reuse Centre "at UNSW accepts once-loved and re-purposed pens, highlighters, rulers and provides them free for students."
West Metro Recycling Centre "You can be a GREAT Sort and gift your unused / near-new school stationery at the West Metro Recycling Centre for WA kids, schools and families in need."
New Zealand
PaperPensPensils "many people acquire surplus amounts of stationery especially pens, pencils, refill, notebooks and spare exercise books. As people grow older and have no use for these items they get discarded or sit at the back of their drawer where they won’t be used. This is also very common for kids at school who get new and updated stationery packs every year and end up with too much. Though while many are pondering what to do with all their excess stationery, others are struggling to support their children with the stationery requirements or funds needed when they go to school. After some thinking and research, I found there was no easy and accessible way that people could donate stationery to children and schools in need. As well I found that people forgot about all their extra stationery until they had no time but to put it into landfill and didn’t realise that others may greatly appreciate what they had too much of. Like the quote goes “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” This is how Paper Pens Pencils was born." Based in Auckland.
Find Your Local Recycling Center
Find Your Local Recycling Center
The places listed in this section focus on where you can send recyclables. If you want to buy second hand, check out our Zero Waste Shop Directory which lists businesses/organizations offering products from bulk groceries and reusable versions of common disposable items to second hand products that some of the places below may send items to.
Asia
Asia
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
Greenland Recycling offers a range of services including electronics and textile recycling.
Tadweer "mixed municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) are segregated into several recyclable items using a mixture of manual and automated methods. When these items have been segregated, it will go for compacting and bailing, afterwards,it will be sent to manufactures to create new products.
Recycable items include
a. All Kinds of plastic materials.
b. Paper.
c. Carton.
d. Metallic materials.
e. Organic waste"
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Bike Recycling Click here for a map and other resources for recycling your old, rusty bike.
Gloucestershire Recycles let their Waste Wizard help you find local places to recycle.
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Officeworks "will recycle your old IT equipment, ink and toner cartridges and mobile phones."
Which Bin A-Z "Find out Which Bin or where to take items you want to dispose of responsibly. If you can't find an item in this list, search by CLICKING HERE. Search by the components that make up the item. E.g. Pillow = Fabric.
If you are still unsure about Which Bin a specific item should go in, call your local council or phone the Which Bin hotline on 1300 137 118."
New Zealand
New Zealand
Auckland
Auckland Council: Community Recycling Centers "Ngā pokapū hangarua ā-hapori" "Our aim with community recycling centres is to reduce waste to landfill by reusing, re-purposing and recycling as much as possible."
Training & Education for Zero-Waste Programs & Businesses
Training & Education for Zero-Waste Programs & Businesses
Training
Training
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Bower offers a variety of services including workshops where you can learn repair skills.
New Zealand
Zero Waste Hubs: Developing a Nationwide Resource Recovery Network "One of the goals of the Zero Waste Network is to develop a nationwide network of resource recovery centres using local scale Zero Waste Hubs as the basic building blocks."
Zero Waste Network: Training "The Zero Waste Network has developed a series of courses with the goal of increasing capability within the zero waste sector and developing participants’ technical and analytical skills to engage with a variety of zero waste and resource recovery activities."
Zero Waste Network: Resources "In 2015 CRN received Auckland Council Waste Minimisation and Innovation funding to develop a series of resource recovery fact sheets. These are introductory level resources that aim to give those individuals and organisation new to the sector a sound understanding in some of the basic concepts and language of the sector. They may be useful to print off individually or to direct new staff members to read."
Upcycled and Recycled Products
Upcycled and Recycled Products
Zero-Waste Networks & Organizations
Zero-Waste Networks & Organizations
Zero-Waste Networks and Organizations focus on helping their communities reduce waste, reuse and recycle. Check out the ones serving your area as they can help connect your school and students with local resources, sometimes including maps, how-to guides, or even sending someone to speak at your school about important issues.
Africa
Africa
Ghana
Ghana
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."
North America
North America
USA
USA
California
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/ ."
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Bower offers a variety of services including workshops where you can learn repair skills.
Zero Waste Network (formerly CRN) Australia "is the peak body representing Australian community recycling enterprises. Zero Waste Network Australia members are spread throughout Australia. The Zero Waste Network annual forum is our key networking and educational event, and a great chance to catch up in person."
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!"
New Zealand
New Zealand
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."ZeroWaste Network "represents community enterprises across Aotearoa New Zealand who are working towards zero waste. Our mission is connect, educate, enable and inspire them to reach their goals and to be a unifying voice at local, regional and central government levels" Use the community map, and select business types including repair shops, resale shops, recyclers, and more.
Zero Waste Hubs: Developing a Nationwide Resource Recovery Network "One of the goals of the Zero Waste Network is to develop a nationwide network of resource recovery centres using local scale Zero Waste Hubs as the basic building blocks."
Resources
Resources
Plastic Reduction
Plastic Reduction
Plastic Smart Cities: Best Practice Approaches "committed to implementing global approaches that prevent, minimise and manage plastic, both as a resource, and as a waste. We encourage you to explore our growing catalogue below, and further contribute to the Plastic Smart Cities community by submitting your own for consideration and inclusion."
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
Asia
Asia
Livable Cities: Financing Partnership Facility "The urban operations of ADB benefits from the support of notable trust funds, which are collectively referred to as the Urban Financing Partnership Facility. Under this umbrella, strategic, long-term, multi-partner investments on innovative urban solutions are implemented. These investments help to achieve the vision of livable cities." These include:
Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF) eligible countries include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam.
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Western Australia
The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."
Suggested Reading
Suggested Reading
This section is for books and audio books.
DIY Textile Recycling
DIY Textile Recycling
Restyle & Restitch for Little Ones shows you simple ways to turn old adult clothing into free or affordable baby clothing. The Swedish author provides pretty photos showing where pieces were cut from, traceable patterns in the back pages, the front pages are full of useful tips for total beginners and intermediate crafters. If you don't understand any of the instructions, look for step-by-step guides online as there are many with photos as well as videos that are great at demystifying sewing terms and techniques. One of the bags is sewing machine free, and several ideas in this book could be sized up for older children of even adults.
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