Zero waste is a philosophy, movement, and lifestyle that aims to divert all waste from the landfills. First, we reduce what we need, reuse as much as possible, and then compost or recycle the rest. The essence of zero waste is redefining the lifecycle of an item as circular, as opposed to linear; the intention is for everything to be recycled back into nature or reused again, not tossed away after a single use. Zero waste is a strategy in the larger sphere of sustainability, which emphasizes maintaining the balance of the Earth’s ecosystem and natural resources. Since the environment and public health are intertwined, sustainability actions have the capacity to improve the quality of life as well. Zero waste endeavors are addressing the manufacturing and packaging processes and the sustainability and disposability of product materials. This involves the efforts of individuals, businesses, and agencies.

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In the early 2000s, people began to turn the idea of no waste into action. New communities and organizations across the globe formed and were dedicated to promoting zero waste practices, while businesses and cities established zero waste goals. For example, in 2002, the Zero Waste International Alliance was the first to establish internationally recognized zero waste standards, and the city of San Francisco, CA spearheaded the movement by executing zero waste goals leading to an 80% diversion rate eight years later. Originally, the responsibility of zero waste seemed to fall to manufacturing and municipal waste management, but then about ten years later, it picked up as a lifestyle. Today, there are a plethora of blogs, videos, and product lines dedicated to sharing personal journeys and resources on living zero waste – and this website is one of them.  

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Zero waste living has become a hot topic in social media, but how do you do it and how realistic is it? There are many zero waste lifestyle aspects, such as work, clothing, and travel, but I will be investigating those questions within the area of food. By trying to eat without producing any landfill waste, I will participate firsthand in this zero waste movement and share my experience and research each step of the way. As a college student on a limited budget, I hope my experience will show how zero waste does not have to be overly expensive or time consuming. Ultimately, I want my project to serve as a learning resource for those who want to learn more about eating zero waste.