Transcript Slide 1
BUILDING SUPPORT FOR ZERO WASTE Lynne Pledger [email protected] GRRN Zero Waste Conference, July 30, 2011 ZW activism: state and local level Change at the state level… …needs support at grassroots On the Local Level Which waste issues are important to YOUR community? impacts of landfills or incinerators jobs climate change energy crisis burden of disposal on taxpayers toxics in products loss of natural resources EXAMPLES: 3 NORTHEAST ZW CITIZEN GROUPS RATS! Residents for Alternative Trash Solutions, Southbridge, Massachusetts started, spring 2008 Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalition, Geneva, New York started, fall 2008 Carlisle Zero Waste Coalition, Carlisle, Massachusetts started, winter 2009 RATS! SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS RATS! was threatened with a huge landfill expansion and gasification plant. Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalition, Geneva NY Garbage comes into the Finger Lakes landfills from all over the state and from other states. Carlisle, Massachusetts Carlisle is concerned with global waste issues, including climate change and diminishing resources. ONE person can launch a Zero Waste community movement: In the Finger Lakes, Katherine reserved a room at the library and used email lists to invite concerned citizens to a meeting. In Carlisle, Launa worked with existing local groups—recycling commission, climate action, Sierra Club, League of Women Voters-- to focus the community on Zero Waste. GATHER THE FACTS Question assumptions –especially yours Seek info from more than one source Network with state and national groups Doug Knipple, President Finger Lakes ZW Coalition GET INTO THE LOCAL PAPER Cultivate a local journalist. Give that person scoops. USE STRONG IMAGES NASA photo: earth wreathed in Methane gas Baby bird with stomach filled with plastic NO ONE “RIGHT” WAY TO COMMUNICATE SOUTHBRIDGE RALLY HELD OUTSIDE BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING CARLISLE PUBLIC FORUM WITH PANEL OF EXPERTS PROMOTE WHAT YOU’RE FOR RATS! at a fair, teaching kids about composting GET ALONG--AGREE TO DISAGREE o Expect conflict o Factions are fine o EVERYONE is a potential convert to Zero Waste o Recognize all contributions, small successes o Accept help from any source except a polluter o Be fair and respectful to all community members Activism on state level An alliance of Massachusetts organizations SHIFTED MASSACHUSETTS POLICY: 1. moratorium on new incinerators 2. waste reduction over more waste disposal facilities College student presents petition with 16,000 signatures to Massachusetts DEP. THREE OPERATING PRINCIPLES To gain support for Zero Waste BE RIGHT BE INCLUSIVE BE RELENTLESS For more information: Lynne Pledger [email protected]