Zero Waste is a term coined to express an idea that can refer to a philosophy, movement or practice in which discarded, unwanted items are seen and utilized as resources for other projects or processes. The concept is drawn from the simple question: “Why waste?”

Only humans create and manage waste. In the natural world, unwanted remains are integrated into the natural cycle, becoming resources for some other natural process. Trees decay into rich humus to support plant growth in the forest; animals hunt and kill for their survival, but they take only what they need. What they leave behind is used by other animals, and then left to decompose back into the earth. There is simply no "waste" produced from this natural process.

In human society, however, wasting has achieved an unprecedented prominence, and the action of managing waste has developed into a large industry. In order to sustain itself, this industry has worked hard to convince us that waste is both inevitable and ever-increasing. Zero waste advocates seek to dispel this idea.

As the concept of "zero waste" is embraced by different groups, the philosophy of zero waste is articulated in a variety of ways to reflect the differing perspectives and values of those entities. But at the core is the basic concept that leftover materials, discards, and the unwanted remains of human life are resources for other purposes and should be handled as such.

Embracing this philosophy and publicly acknowledging that it is a priority in the way one lives and conducts business, whether on an individual, business, governmental, organizational, or community level, is a grand action with potentially far-reaching affects. Behavioral change research indicates that the act of committing to something in a public manner (i.e., signing a document, giving a speech, making a verbal promise to another or a group, setting a specific goal, developing a plan) results in a higher incidence of follow-through than making a personal decision that is not shared with others.

If you believe in zero waste, make your belief known, and then urge other supporters to do the same.