In the industrial sector, it is creating a new notion of materials and material flows. The cradle-to-cradle framework has evolved steadily from theory to practice. The cradle-to-cradle model is sustainable and considerate of life and future generations. Cradle-to-cradle simply goes beyond dealing with issues of waste after it has been created, by addressing problems at the source and by re-defining problems by focusing on design. Ĭradle-to-cradle focuses on designing industrial systems so that materials flow in closed-loop cycles which mean that waste is minimized, and waste products can be recycled and reused. Cradle-to-grave is in direct contrast to cradle-to-cradle materials or products, which are recycled into a products at the end of their lives, so that ultimately there is no waste. The cradle-to-grave is a linear model for materials that begins with resource extraction, moves to product manufacturing, and ends by a "grave", where the product is disposed of in a landfill. 2.2 2009: The Zero Waste lifestyle movement emergesĬradle-to-cradle / cradle-to-grave.Īdvocates say eliminating waste decreases pollution, and can also reduce costs due to the reduced need for raw materials.
Īdvocates expect that government regulation is needed to influence industrial choices over product and packaging design, manufacturing processes, and material selection. Zero Waste provides guiding principles for continually working towards eliminating wastes. Zero waste is more of a goal or ideal rather than a hard target. It focuses on restructuring production and distribution systems to reduce waste. Zero waste encompasses more than eliminating waste through reducing, reusing, and recycling. It is a whole systems approach that aims for a massive change in the way materials flow through society, resulting in no waste. Zero Waste refers to waste prevention as opposed to end-of-pipe waste management. Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without burning them, and without discharges to land, water or air that threaten the environment or human health.
The definition adopted by the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) is: In a zero waste system, material will be reused until the optimum level of consumption. Currently, only 9% of plastic is actually recycled. The goal is for no trash to be sent to landfills, incinerators or the ocean. Zero waste is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. Used products dumped at a scrap metal recycler