Today, Just Zero launched a series of interactive toolkits designed to help communities across the country implement proven, effective, and modern Zero Waste policies. The toolkits break down these policies, while also explaining how they can be customized to address problems specific to different states, cities, and towns. By empowering community members and advocates to build their own proposals from the ground up, these toolkits represent a groundbreaking approach to model legislation that centers local leadership and expertise.
“Every community is unique,” said Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director at Just Zero. “A one-size-fits-all approach to enacting Zero Waste legislation won’t work. Just Zero recognizes that everyone has different priorities and is facing different political landscapes. That’s why we designed these interactive toolkits – to empower users to build their own legislative proposals that meet their specific needs.”
Current waste management practices in the United States harm the climate, threaten our environment, and poison people. States, cities, and towns across the country are increasingly looking to implement policies that reduce waste, improve recycling, and address pollution. But figuring out what policies to pursue and how to customize them for specific communities can be challenging.
“People have power to shape the policies that affect their lives, their health, and their environment,” said Peter Blair, Policy and Advocacy Director at Just Zero. “But our country’s complex legislative system is an obstacle that keeps people from getting involved in the process. We hope these toolkits help break that barrier and boost local movements – driving progress toward truly sustainable waste management practices across the nation.”
Just Zero’s customizable legislative toolkits can be used to implement policies that address the following waste-related issues: beverage container waste and recycling, food waste, greenwashing, packaging reduction and recycling, single-use plastics, and trash burning facilities. They also include a step-by-step guide for navigating the legislative process and tips for engaging stakeholders and for building coalitions.
For more information about the toolkits, please out to Just Zero team members for further comment.
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