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Zero Waste

Plastic is polluting our planet. Recycling is no longer making an impact.
Is there a solution?

In the United States today, the average person produces almost six pounds of trash per day.
This is how we deal with that trash:

  • Landfill

    In 2017, the U.S. dumped about 139.6 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfills. Food accounted for 22% and plastic accounted for 19%.

    The U.S. generated 267.8 million tons of MSW in 2017.

    *Source EPA

  • Mass Burning with Energy Recovery

    In 2017, the U.S. burned 34 million tons of MSW. Food waste accounted for 22% and plastic waste accounted for 16.4%

    *Source EPA

  • Recycle/Compost

    In 2017, the U.S. recycled about 67.2 million tons - 66% was paper and paper board while plastic accounted for only 5%
    27 million tons were composted

    *Source EPA

  • Exports

    In 2017, the U.S. exported almost 400 million tons of plastic waste to china. 
    In 2014, the U.S. exported over 500 million tons to china.
    After China banned foreign waste imports in 2018, the U.S. plastics exports to Thailand increased by almost 2,000 percent (91,505 tons).

    *source The Guardian

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America has a plastic problem. This nation is choking on the miracle invention that once stood for growth. Now, we are slowly drowning in it. But it didn’t start that way. Decades before our plastic consumption transitioned from military use to in home appliances Americans adopted the make it do, or do without mentality. This attitude quickly changed when global plastic production increased by 400 percent. The newly created single-use mentality created a problem unimaginable in the 60’s and 70’s. The U.S was now responsible for more plastic than steel.   

Plastic production has created the solid waste problem we now have today.

No longer can we pretend that our trash magically disappears when we throw it away solely because we can no longer see it.

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Between 1869 and 2012, we see the development of plastic. Single use appliances and everyday items made from plastic begin to make their way onto the unrestricted incinerators and we begin to see negative effects caused by emissions. Within this time period we see small attempts to regulate both plastics and emissions. 

Changes are implemented to the way consumers dispose of their trash. For most locations a bin for recycled plastics is common. Many are unaware that presence of food or liquid in recycling contaminates the entire bin making it unrecyclable.

1869 

American, John W. Hyatt invented the first successful plastic known as celluloid.

1885

The first incinerator was built in New York City - no regulations on what trash could be burnt.

1908

Bakelite is developed by New York chemist Leo H. Baekeland. It becomes the first fully synthetic plastic, later used for home appliances, jewelry and auto parts.

1940 

Modern plastic became mainstream during world war 2 when its versatility was realized by the U.S. military. 

1970 

The Clean Air Act was established requiring restrictions on emissions - banned uncontrolled burning.  

1977-1979

American grocery stores introduce plastic bags at their checkout counters, eventually replacing brown paper bags.

2012

San Francisco becomes the first American city to ban plastic bags.

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Miwa practices zero waste at home

“If something breaks, can I fix it? Or do I even need it?” - Miwa Ganiko

Although zero waste is now her job, and deeply ingrained into her home, it didn't start out as an overnight transition for Miwa Ganiko.
Using the knowledge gained from Fillgood Inc, where she works Ganiko has grown the desire for zero waste into a lifestyle.
“I started becoming more minimal, it quickly grew into a passion my family adopted and quickly turned into normal daily activity,” Ganiko said.

As close to pro at zero waste as one gets, Ganiko pleads with newcomers to be kind to yourself, don't feel bad for failing. Insisting to start small and adding a new element each week will lead to large impacts later on. One of those easy muscle memory tips she recommends is the grocery bag--get into the habit of reusing until you get good enough to refuse.

“ABSOLUTELY YES, companies need to be held responsible for their packaging.” -Miwa Ganiko 
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“China and Asia isn't taking our trash anymore, which is great, because now it is in our face. We need to deal with it,” said Ganiko.
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Next Highest Good

The clutter begins to pile in drawers, closets, garages, and basements. Should it go in the compost, recycle, or trash bin? Should it be thrown away at all? Is it a hazardous item that needs to be taken somewhere to be disposed of properly and what does that even mean? 

All of the questions are answered by Lauren West, owner and professional organizer specializing in zero waste at Next Highest Good, Inc. West ensures that everything finds a new place or purpose when attending to her client needs of decluttering and/or organizing their life. 

“Zero waste, if I have to put it in a simple term it means avoiding landfill” – Lauren West

Manufactures make products, package them, and distributes them. The consumer buys the product and is then made responsible to find the proper way of disposing of it.

“Why are we as people, trying to feed our families and ourselves, responsible for decisions that we cannot make?” – Lauren West

As one of the few zero waste businesses in San Francisco, West ensures their services is the next highest good. Helping clients learn about zero waste along the way. Finding small ways to impact change. From small steps as brining your own reusable bags when you go shopping, bringing your reusable cup to buy your coffee, fixing what may seem broken, and finding a home for unwanted items.

“…the next step is bring your own straw or bring your own utensils and just make that cool,” West said.

While recycling and personal zero waste are not solutions for our global plastic crisis, it makes small differences in our culture that may make a bigger difference over time.

To learn more about zero waste efforts, visit these resources:

Tonle

Local zero waste, fair trade fashion company

Sf Environment

Local government department resources for zero waste.

fillgood.co

Bay Area zero waste store