Gary Liss - Zero Waste

Talking about zero waste was really interesting. Mr. Liss said that if everyone in the state of California recycled and composted all our waste that would be equal in eliminating all the auto exhaust in California. That seems huge. Having zero waste doesn't seem difficult. Mr. Liss stated several times that the system of how goods are brought to us and how we dispose of what we don't use, could be changed and that would make a huge difference. Countries like New Zeland have policies in place that make it a zero waste country. In the bay area San Francisco, Berkeley, Marin county, Oakland and Palo Alto have adopted and set up a recycle system for zero waste. Business like HP in Roseville, Apple, Toyota and restaurants in San Francisco have been leading the way with 90% no waste. Vons and Safeway grocery stores take back the goods not sold to their distribution center where it is made into compost. Ricoh Electronics is another zero waste company and also asking their suppliers to adopt a zero waste policy. I was disturbed to hear that every land fill leaks and for most companies the output related to put out a product they have produce 2/3rds of waste.The cost to redesign a system to have zero waste is not expensive. Thought needs to be taken on where the products suppliers are coming from. Products need to be made with the environment in mind. Incentives need to be put into place to encourage companies to change to zero waste strategies. The government has the power to make the companies change with tax credits to companies who comply and fines for the companies who don't. I thought his was a very informative speaker.