Zero waste is a set of principles that aim to eliminate waste by designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, while maximizing the recovery of resources.
The benefits of zero waste are numerous:
Reduced environmental impact
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced water consumption
Increased resource efficiency
Cost savings
Zero waste has been gaining traction in recent years as a way to address the growing problem of waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States generated over 267 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2017. Of this waste, only about 35% was recycled or composted.