BUSINESS & ENVIRONMENT SERIES: BEYOND ZERO WASTE

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

“Zero waste” initiatives are becoming more commonplace as organizations continue to raise the bar on their environmental sustainability efforts. Definitions of this ambitious goal, however, vary widely. What does zero waste really mean? How can your company best approach waste to benefit your bottom line and the environment?

In this session, we looked beyond disposal at a broader approach to waste. How can we reduce or eliminate waste upstream? Can we re-imagine it as a replacement for raw materials; not as something to get rid of but as something valuable? We explored these questions by hearing local and global examples of companies that are moving toward zero waste: thinking holistically, working with new partners, and employing innovative strategies to reduce, reuse, or reprocess – putting waste to work for the benefit of their business.

A cross-sector community of 100 sustainability professionals engaged in informal networking, small group discussion, and peer-to-peer learning to help rethink waste and consider what aiming for “zero” means for their organizations.

BACKGROUND READING & RESOURCES

Creating the Circular Economy, Part 1 (Environmental Leader)
Remaking the Industrial Economy (McKinsey)
What is "Zero Waste" - And Why Should You Care? (Sustainable Brands)
William McDonough: 6 ways to move beyond zero-waste (GreenBiz)
Various circular economy resources (Ellen MacArthur Foundation)
Circular Economy Toolkit
Materials Management Through Sustainable Consumption Webinar Series (EPA)
Robert Strand - Scandinavia can be an inspiration for creating shared value (Financial Times)
Zero Waste Strategies Create New Revenue Streams (Environmental Leader)
Daniel Pink - Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us (YouTube)
Ray Anderson - The business logic of sustainability (TED Talk)
Integrating Sustainability Into Business Models (MPCA)