What is Zero Waste? What is the Zero Waste Movement?

A landfill site or rubbish dump is a site for dumping waste materials.

• The decaying rubbish produces weak acidic chemicals, which combine with liquids in the waste to form leachate and landfill gas, which can be toxic. About 42% of all greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the production and use of goods, including food, products and packaging.
• Landfills are changing and destroying animals' natural habitats. Landfill waste is often overloaded with chemicals that can disturb plant growth in nearby areas if it leaches into the ground. The chemicals contaminate plants and waters.

The success of any zero waste goal relies on the education and participation of communities and business organisations.

• Encouraging people to use waste-free practices and taking active participation in designing resource management systems to reduce waste would be invaluable.
• Public education campaigns can inspire participation.

Start by looking through your trash and recycling bins to see what you're throwing out the most.

• If your garbage is filled with food scraps, start composting.
• Use eco-friendly versions of paper products like napkins, paper towels, and tissues.
• If you have a lot of food packaging, start buying food from bulk sections where you can bring your own reusable container or packaging.

Paper produces about 60-80% of waste. Think before you print. Consider pull-printing as 30% of printing is never collected from the printer.

Reduce plastic waste

• Remove plastic straws from your office
• Ban disposable cutlery and plates
• Cut down on single-use food packaging
• Switch to reusable drinks bottles and coffee cups
• Decrease product packaging
• Then recycle what's left

Set up an effective bin system with clear labelling to ensure your staff correctly recycle waste.

Educate your staff. Recycling is complicated. Each waste management company uses its own system and has different recycling rules.