Zero Waste | U.S. PIRG

The U.S. produces an immense amount of waste—we generate over 30 percent of the planet's waste even though we make up just 4 percent of the population. That averages out to around seven pounds of material per American every single day.

Only a third of our waste is recycled or composted while the vast majority is sent to landfills, incinerators, or the natural environment. Making matters worse, for decades, we exported recyclable and scrap materials to China, but recent trade restrictions have made it so the U.S. is stuck with landfilling millions of tons of recyclable materials previously handled by the Chinese.

We need to take decisive steps to address our growing waste crisis, and to get us out off the linear path of extraction, production, consumption then disposal. It’s time to move to a circular, zero-waste economy.

What is a zero-waste economy?

A zero-waste economy is one in which less is consumed, all products are built to last and are easy to reuse and repair, and all materials are reused, recycled and composted in a continuous cycle.

This system will protect public health and the environment, conserve natural resources and landscapes, and address the mounting crisis of global warming.

There are 10 things we should do to move toward a zero-waste economy.

10 ways to move to a zero-waste economy

1. Cities, states, campuses and companies need to set goals to achieve zero waste.

2. Ban the sale of single-use items that are not easily recyclable or compostable, including take-out containers and plastic bags.

Photo: Hat4Rain via flickr CC BY 2.0

3. Encourage companies to build goods designed to last, and to produce products that are easy to reuse, repair, recycle or compost.

4. Make recycling and composting mandatory, universally accessible and less expensive than throwing garbage in the trash.

Photo: Melinda Stuart via flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

5. Require producers to take more responsibility for their products during their entire life cycle.

Photo: Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images

6. Ensure that repair, reuse, recycling, and composting facilities exist to handle the materials stream.

Photo: Rick Goodfriend via U.S. Air Force

6. Encourage producers to use recycled and reused materials in new products.

Photo: Tempest Tea via flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

8. Price goods to reflect the environmental and public health impacts of their production.

9. As waste is eliminated, ensure that all toxic and hazardous waste is disposed of safely.

10. Oppose the construction, expansion and subsidization of landfills and incinerators.

First things first: Single-use plastics

Everyday, people throw away tons of plastic “stuff”—cups, plates, bags, containers, straws and more. All of this waste not only clogs our landfills, trashes our parks, and litters our streets, but it washes into our rivers and oceans where it can harm wildlife. And new research indicates that microplastics might be in our bodies, too.

Scientists are still documenting the scope of plastic pollution and investigating its effects. But for decades we’ve known that one of the worst forms of plastic pollution is polystyrene foam, the kind used in foam cups and take-out containers, which most of us call Styrofoam. To Stop Trashing Our Future, we’re calling on 26 states to ban polystyrene. Learn more.

We should have a Right To Repair

Americans throw out 350,000 cell phones per day, and only 15 to 20 percent of electronic waste is recycled. That’s just ridiculous, especially when so much electronic waste could be reused or refurbished.

Instead of throwing things out, we should reuse, salvage and rebuild. But too often the companies that make phones, computers, tractors and other durable goods put up barriers which prevent consumers or third-party vendors from making repairs. The goal of our Right to Repair campaign is to give every consumer and small business access to the parts, tools and service information they need to repair products so we can keep our stuff off the trash heap. Learn more.

U.S. PIRG's Nathan Proctor delivers petition signatures to Microsoft urging the company to help cut e-waste.

Ricky Osborne

Our approach

Our efforts to zero-out waste share a common approach. In each campaign, we aim to:

Put us on a path to a better future. We value ideas and policies that both improve the quality of our lives now and put us on a path to a zero-waste future.

Focus on concrete change. We share a bold vision, but understand that change comes one step at a time. Our focus is on making a difference for the public, not just making a statement.

Figure out what works. We’ve successfully advocated for changes that have resulted in more recycling and less waste, healthier and safer choices in the marketplace, and greater accountability in government. We have a 45-plus year track record of figuring out solutions that will work, and advocating for them until we get results.

Find common ground. Even in this deeply divided moment, all Americans want a healthier, safer, more secure future. Our advocates in Washington, D.C., seek out common ground and work with members of Congress from both parties. Our advocates in the states build coalitions that include people from all walks of life. Our organizers and canvassers engage literally hundreds of thousands of people. Our members and activists live in all 50 states.

TAKE ACTION

Ban single-use plastic foam items in your state

One of the best ways to reduce the amount of trash headed to landfills is to ban items such as plastic foam cups and takeout containers. Tell your governor to ban single-use polystyrene items today.

TAKE ACTION

Find out more

Stop Trashing Our Future Campaign

Right To Repair Campaign

Trash In America Report