Waste Management

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.

 - Waste and Its Contribution Climate Change

Solutions

Combat Planned Obsolescence

Click here to learn about planned obsolescence and things we can do to push back. 

Research Before Buying

Support Right to Repair Laws 

Calls to Action

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

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 

According 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 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 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

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

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

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. 


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. 

Food Packaging

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

CDs

Washington

Floppy Disks

North America

California

Washington


Textiles

North America

Wood Chips

International

Donate Don't Dump

Africa

Europe

UK

North America

USA

Oceana

Australia

School/Office Supplies

International

Africa

Asia

Philippines

Singapore


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

Europe

UK

North America

Canada

USA

Oceana

Australia

New Zealand

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

United Arab Emirates 

Europe

UK

Oceana

Australia

New Zealand

Auckland

Training & Education for Zero-Waste Programs & Businesses

Training

Oceana

Australia

New Zealand

Upcycled and Recycled Products

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.

North America

USA

California

Oceana

Australia

Tasmania

New Zealand

Grants & Funding

Asia

Oceana

Australia

Western Australia

Suggested Reading

This section is for books and audio books.

DIY Textile Recycling