At SOMRA we subscribe to the following mission: TO CREATE, PROMOTE, AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT THE PRACTICE OF ZERO WASTE. A “Zero Waste” community embraces the concept of sustainability. It’s a lifecycle “cradle to cradle” approach to rethinking consumption and managing resources. Achieving Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, efficient, and visionary, guiding people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles where all discarded materials are designed to become a resource for other uses.
Zero Waste encompasses more than reducing waste through recycling and reuse. Zero Waste provides guiding principles for eventually working towards eliminating waste.
Zero Waste Resources
Inspirational and Educational
- Going Zero Waste – Kathryn Kellogg says, “it’s not about perfection, it’s about making better choices.” This website offers many ideas for creating a healthier home and reducing environmental impact in everyday life.
- What and How to Recycle – A helpful resource about what can and can’t be recycled. Because it is provided by a bulk glass and plastic wholesaler in the US, what your local recycler accepts could be different from the guidelines in this resource.
- Zero Waste Home – Called “the priestess of zero waste” by the New York Times, Bea Johnson strives to shatter the misconceptions of adopting a zero waste lifestyle.
- Zero Waste International Alliance – Promotes positive alternatives to landfill and incineration and raises community awareness about the benefits of zero waste.
Retail Companies for a Zero Waste Shift
- Bee’s Wrap – A plastic-free cling style wrap made from cloth and beeswax.
- Life Without Plastic – Provides plastic-free alternatives to many household items.
- Simple Ecology – Creates eco-friendly household goods, including reusable produce and shopping bags.
Zero Waste Initiatives
- Berkley Farmer’s Market – This farmer’s market practices zero waste steps to reduce its weekly environmental impact.
- Zero Waste October – A challenge designed for school children in northern California to learn about personal environmental impacts and discover alternatives in a fun, school-wide experience for 31 days in October.
Books, Periodicals, and Videos
Books and magazines available through Jackson County Libraries; Videos available online.
- Plastic Free by Beth Terry
Like many people, Beth Terry didn’t think an individual could have much impact on the environment. But while laid up after surgery, she read an article about the staggering amount of plastic polluting the oceans, and decided then and there to kick her plastic habit. In Plastic-Free, she shows you how you can too, providing personal anecdotes, stats about the environmental and health problems related to plastic, and individual solutions and tips on how to limit your plastic footprint - Wasteland
On the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro is Jardim Gramacho, the world’s largest
landfill, where men and women sift through garbage for a living. Artist Vik Muniz
produces portraits of the workers and learns about their lives. - Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson
Mother of the Zero Waste lifestyle movement, Bea Johnson has been striving to be a trash-free family since 2008. While she knows change can be challenging, her suggestion is that we make one change at a time, find how we can “do” this change easily, regularly, and let it encourage us to make the next change. Her local talk in Oct. 2019 sponsored by The Ashland Co-op was inspiring!