[greenyes] [ZWIA] Draft ZWIA Zero Waste definition

[Gary Liss <gary@no.address>]

Apologies for Cross-Postings

The Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) has been having a great 
discussion on its listserve to develop a definition of "Zero Waste" to post 
on ZWIA's website.

We would like to engage all of you who would like to contribute to that 
discussion.  The following are 2 definitions that have been proposed.  We 
would like your input on which of these definitions should be adopted, or 
suggestions for additional edits, or alternate definitions.

If you would like to edit one of these, please provide suggestions of 
specific word changes you would like to make, with BRIEF comments about 
why.  The intent is to develop a definition that is easily understandable 
by people NOT deeply involved in Sustainability and Recycling, so should 
minimize the use of technical jargon.

Please send comments directly to me at gary@no.address and post them on 
this listserve.

Thanks!

Gary Liss
Coordinator
Zero Waste International Alliance
*************************
Option A
"Zero Waste is a goal that will guide people to re-design our resource-use 
system to emulate natural cyclical processes where no waste exists. Every 
stage of any resource-use process must be so designed as to ensure that 
nothing is generated as an output, deliberately or otherwise, that does not 
become a useful input into another process. Any output that is destined for 
land, sea or air should not be a threat to planetary, animal or plant health."
Option B
"Zero Waste is a philosophy and visionary goal that emulates natural 
cycles, where all outputs are simply an input for another process.  It 
means designing and managing materials and products to conserve and recover 
all resources and not destroy or bury them, and eliminate discharges to 
land, water or air that do not contribute productively to natural systems 
or the economy."

Gary Liss
Gary Liss & Associates
4395 Gold Trail Way
Loomis, CA  95650-8929
916-652-7850
Fax: 916-652-0485
gary@no.address
www.garyliss.com