On September 15, 2016, the Lake County Solid Waste Management District Board of Directors announced the adoption of Resolution 2016-15. The resolution establishes a new waste reduction, minimization and recycling goal for the Lake County Solid Waste Management District (the "District") - Zero Waste.
The definition of zero waste as defined by the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) is, "... a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them. Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.”
The District is striving to join communities around the U.S. who are striving for Zero Waste, including New York, Boston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Chicago. The District's approach of achieving Zero Waste is accomplished through a consistent and incremental approach to encourage and seek out opportunities for waste diversion, reuse, recycling and composting. The process will be branded by the District as “Journey to Zero”.
Over the next five years, the District will develop programs, educational materials and guidance documents to be used by municipalities, businesses, schools, hospitals, organizations, colleges and universities designed to assist them in joining our "Journey to Zero". One such program will be the "Partners in Join the Journey". Click on this link (link to be developed) to learn more on how you, your organization, business, school, etc. can become a partner in our Journey to Zero.