Our Mission: Zero Waste as a Design Principle

Welcome to the new recycling movement for the 21st Century and to the work of the new Zero Waste Committee! Zero Waste is a design principle for the 21st century; Producer Responsibility Recycling is the means for achieving a deep transformation of wasteful production and consumption. We aim to lead the transition from traditional end-of-pipe waste "diversion" programs provided by local governments to "cradle to cradle" recycling systems designed, financed, and managed by producers, in order to drive improvements in product design, stimulate local economies and reduce climate change impacts of transportation- and energy-intensive product chains. Phasing out landfilling and incinerating discarded resources is prerequisite to Zero Waste; hence the committee also coordinates Club work on waste disposal issues.
The Sierra Club's policy for reducing waste is based on Zero Waste.

Feature: Producer Responsibility Recycling

Producer Responsibility Recycling is the means for achieving a deep transformation of wasteful production and consumption. We aim to lead the transition from traditional end-of-pipe waste "diversion" programs provided by local governments to "cradle to cradle" recycling systems designed, financed and managed by producers, in order to drive improvements in product design, stimulate local economies and reduce climate change impacts of transportation- and energy-intensive product chains. Learn more.

Feature: Resource Recovery Parks

Resource Recovery Parks are key to supporting Zero Waste. To achieve Zero Waste, more reuse, recycling and composting facilities will be needed. A Resource Recovery Park provides a location to site reuse, recycling and compost processing, manufacturing, and retail businesses in a central facility. The public can bring all their discarded materials to this facility and buy reused, recycled or compost products at a discount. These are naturally evolving at materials recovery facilities and transfer stations, and existing or closed landfills. Learn more.