City of Oakland Adopts Zero Waste Goal

The City of Oakland in California has adopted a zero waste goal with a target date of 2020. The Mayor and City Council directed the Public Works Agency, in concert with the Mayor’s Office, to develop a Zero Waste Strategic Plan to achieve the goal. The resolution also specifies the City will partner with other Zero Waste local, regional and international communities and sustainability advocates to actively pursue and advocate for strategies and incentives to advance Zero Waste principles for materials management, system re-design, highest and best use of discarded products and materials, and a closed-loop sustainable production and consumption society. The resolution says: WHEREAS, Zero Waste principles promote the highest and best use of materials to eliminate waste and pollution, emphasizing a closed-loop system of production and consumption, moving in logical increments toward the goal of zero waste through the core principles of: . Improving ‘downstream’ reuse/recycling of end-of-life products and materials to ensure their highest and best use; . Pursuing ‘upstream’ re-design strategies to reduce the volume and toxicity of discarded products and materials, and promote low-impact or reduced consumption lifestyles; . Fostering and supporting use of discarded products and materials to stimulate and drive local economic and […]

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