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LIVE SIMPLY & SUSTAINABLY
WITH ZERO WASTE

Empowering San Diego County On Sustainable Resource Management Through Education, Awareness, & Action

OUR MISSION

Zero Waste San Diego promotes and manages zero waste programs and events, advocates for policy changes that promote a zero waste society, and educates people on how they can reduce the effects of climate change through sustainable resource management.

Young people gathered around a sign said Zero Waste Youth USA
ZW Youth San Diego

A chapter of an international organization focused on promoting zero waste principles. We empower students and young professionals to drive change through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Our mission is to inspire the next generation to take action and implement sustainable practices in their schools and communities.

We’re looking for passionate high school students in San Diego to help organize a zero waste event in April. Gain experience in environmental advocacy and event planning with a 2-5 hour weekly commitment from September to April.

ASK THE UN TO ADOPT THE INTERNATIONAL DEFINITION OF ZERO WASTE.
Richard Anthony, Director of Zero Waste San Diego and President of the Zero Waste International Alliance, delivered a presentation on the peer-reviewed definition during a session before the United Nations Assembly on March 30th, commemorating the International Day of Zero Waste. Read more…
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THE 8 R’S OF ZERO WASTE

Everything is a resource, and “just throwing it away” won’t help communities like San Diego continue to move toward the goal of zero waste. We have to start by changing our thinking.

Luckily for all of us, there are 8 opportunities for every individual and business to start reducing material going into the landfill or an incinerator and helping to create a sustainable society.

Just say no by refusing to buy products that aren’t necessary or are harmful to the environment.

Use less by reducing what you consume so you can create less waste and reduce your overall CO2 footprint.

Think beyond an item’s original purpose by reusing or repurposing what you already have in your home.

ROT

Compost all organic materials back into the soil rather than a landfill to maintain a circular life cycle.

Give an item extra life by fixing or repairing what you have before consuming something new.

Lobby for redesign when a product cannot be recycled, composted, or repurposed.

Vote for regulation that makes producers and manufacturers responsible for the end of life of their products.

Reduce the extraction of raw materials by recycling everything you can.

HOW ZERO WASTE BENEFITS YOU, THE COMMUNITY & THE PLANET

Zero waste is a journey that starts with changing your mindset around using and managing the Earth’s resources. 

When we change how we think, we can change how we behave and respond to consumer behavior. 

We can ask ourselves, how does our interaction with resources and subsequent discards benefit you, the community, and the planet

Challenging the issue of food waste by buying less and donating excess food to those who need it helps divert organics from landfills.

Reducing what you buy and consume reduces the amount you discard as well as your overall footprint on the environment. 

Understanding what pollutants and toxic chemicals your products are made with can shift your consumption to safer products, reducing local and global pollution. 

Redistributing goods to those who need them contributes to a circular economy that encourages less waste and increases social benefits. 

Refusing non-essential stuff can make a huge impact on the planet, since you won’t have to worry about disposing or recycling it later. Just say no!

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UPCOMING EVENTS
Today

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

We are proud of our connections and collaborations with the following businesses and organizations:

Partner Affiliates
2024 Zero Waste Symposium Sponsors

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor or affiliate partner? Get in touch here.

TALKING TRASH |ON THE BLOG

Read the latest on zero waste solutions, green legislation, environmental education, and more!

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Refuse

One of the easiest ways to reduce our impact on the environment is to make the choice to refuse or opt-out of buying products that

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Redesign

Redesign means to make revision in the appearance or function of. Whenever possible, lobby for redesign when a product cannot be recycled, composted, or repurposed.

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Regulate

It is our duty to get involved in and vote for regulation that makes producers and manufacturers responsible for the end of life of their

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