Atlanta – Zero Waste Zone One of First in U.S.

Atlanta Georgia is creating one of the countries first “Zero Waste Zones,” in an attempt to keep recyclables out of landfills.

How much of the material that goes into the worlds landfills could have been recycled? An amazing 82%! Much of this “garbage” is things like paper products, food, plastics and glass.

Atlanta Recycles knows this is a problem and has partnered with the Green Foodservice Alliance, and is working in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 and the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division of the Department of Natural Resources to launch the southeast’s first, and one of the nation’s first, Zero Waste Zones.

Zero Waste Zones are designed to reduce the environmental impact of waste in homes, workplaces and in the community.

The first phase is focused on convention district and more than 10 participants are helping to kick off the program. The Georgia World Congress Center, the Hyatt Regency and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse have already pledged to recycle, reuse spent grease for the local production of biofuel and compost or donate food residuals to drastically decrease the amount of waste going to landfills.

In addition, Levy Restaurants, signed a contract on February 3 with Washington, D.C.-based EnviRelations, LLC to begin composting food items from the two facilities for the next year. Each month, approximately 34 tons of organic materials will be diverted from landfills and more than 20 tons of compost will be created.

“We are amazed at the enthusiasm shown in support of the Zero Waste Zone,” said Laura Turner Seydel, Honorary Chair of the Zero Waste Zone – Downtown Atlanta. “The composting program is incredibly innovative since there was not a permitted composting facility in Georgia until four months ago. We want to thank Levy Restaurants and the Georgia World Congress Center for their vision and commitment to the Zero Waste Zone,” she added.

In Phase Two, Atlanta Recycles and the Green Foodservice Alliance will develop a model and collateral material to help expand the program to other locations in the convention district. Phase Three will include expansion of the Zero Waste Zones outside of the downtown convention district to locations including Buckhead, Midtown and other surrounding communities and Phase Four will expand to other areas of Georgia, the southeast and nationally.

The fact that 82% of landfill waste could have either been recycled or precycled, is a startling realization that we live in a consumer society that has spun out of control.

Over consumption is a different topic, but I think that what needs to be addressed here is the fact that we don’t clean up our own messes. More and more, we must realize that simply throwing something in the trash, does not make it go away, nor is it the proper place for it.

Food should be eaten, composted or not purchased. Plastic, glass and paper should be recycled. Furniture, household items, and clothes should be donated to charity or sold.

I applaud Atlanta for what they are doing. What are some of the things that you are doing to make a difference?

Source: EPA

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