Resources
Procurement
Procurement decisions have a major influence on both the amount of materials the workplace consumes, and what materials ultimately become waste. For a great overview of the materials economy and a range of sustainability issues related to each stage, see:
www.storyofstuff.com
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.
Story of Stuff Annotated Script  (216 kb)
Please note: the movie itself is a 50 MB file. Unfortunately due to the nature and length of the file, it is not possible to get a smaller version.
Green procurement is not just what's in the stationery cupboard - procurement can influence environmental outcomes when accommodation is built, retrofitted, demolished or leased; when publications are printed; when arranging waste/recycling services; when events, conferences and meetings are run, and whenever people or goods are moved around.
Procurement can assist achievement of sustainability targets and objectives, including waste, through:
- adopting waste reduction principles and practices including measurement and assessment of waste generation wherever appropriate, in contractual arrangements with suppliers
- adopting waste minimisation and recycling principles in specifications for the design, construction, retrofit, operation and demolition of owned or leased Government buildings and infrastructure/capital works projects
- (see DTEI Building Management Division's Guide Note 64kb: www.buildingmanagement.sa.gov.au/downloads/Sustainment%20of%20Existing%20Buildings%20Nov%2007.pdf)
- giving preference to products which are recyclable, and/or designed for disassembly, and/or contain recycled content wherever possible
- giving preference to ‘highest and best use’ of resources when selecting contractors or processes for managing surplus and end of life materials
Useful Green Procurement Documents & Links:
The resources below will contain some information that is relevant only to the jursidiction in which they were produced, but the general principles and approaches are universally relevant.
Australia
- Green Procurement Australia the 'hub' for all things green procurement in Australia, including a Green Products database and information on Green Procurement training courses
- ecospecifier comprehensive building/fitout materials and technologies database
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International
- Construction Procurement - WRAP UK addresses materials resource efficiency across the whole construction lifecycle, from pre-design through to demolition, and how it can be improved by setting and implementing requirements for waste minimisation, recycling and higher recycled content
- Mayor's Green Procurement Code - London Remade initiated to help organisations to identify opportunities to recycle waste and/or buy products manufactured from recycled materials and to stimulate demand for the purchase of recycled content products
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Eco-Literacy - How To Identify Greenwash
'Greenwash is a term that is used to describe the actions of a company, government, or other organization which advertises positive environmental practices while acting in the opposite way... The term is generally used when significantly more money or time has been spent advertising being green...rather than spending resources on environmentally sound practices.'
Definition from Wikipedia
- Beware of Greenwashing: Not All Environmental Claims are Meaningful article from GovPro, a US site serving all levels of government purchasing professionals. The article identifies six main types of greenwash:
'Fibbing — while rare, some manufacturers do mislead customers about the actual environmental performance of their products. Some manufacturers have claimed that their products meet the environmental standards developed by EcoLogo or Green Seal when it is clear they do not. The EcoLogo program even has a fraud advisory section on its web site warning purchasers about misuses of the EcoLogo certification mark.
Unsubstantiated Claims — also known as the sin of “just trust us,” some manufacturers are unable to provide proof of their environmental claims. Others use words like “green” or “eco” in their corporate or product names and hope no one asks for details. All environmental claims should be verified by an independent certifying body or auditor, or the manufacturer should be willing and able to provide the necessary documentation to prove a claim when it is requested. Purchasers should be able to easily verify the recycled content of a product or to learn whether it contains any ingredients of concern.
Irrelevance — some manufacturers make factually correct environmental assessments that are no longer relevant for the particular product category. As an example, many aerosol products continue to make “CFC-free” claims even though CFCs have been banned in these products since 1978. These accurate but irrelevant environmental claims can confuse even savvy purchasing professionals.
Hidden Trade-Offs — many products make bold claims about a single environmental attribute, which can lead purchasers to mistakenly believe that it is the only environmental attribute of concern for a particular product category.
Vagueness — broad, poorly defined environmental claims continue to challenge purchasers seeking high-quality environmentally preferable products. A vague claim such as “100 percent natural,” for example, can be very misleading because some naturally occurring substances such as arsenic and dioxin can be very harmful to human health. Legitimate environmental claims are not vague.
Relativism — a product can be the most environmentally preferable product in its class, but still be an inappropriate choice. The most fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle (SUV), for example, is still less preferable if a mid-sized passenger car will suffice.'
- Green Marketing & the Trade Practices Act (244kb) Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Greener Paper Purchasing
Recycled Content Paper, Warranties and the Trade Practices Act
Before You Buy - Think 'Use Less'
Although it is important to support recycling and send market signals which deliver better environmental outcomes through buying environmentally preferable paper, its even more crucial to reduce the amount we use, as recycling still requires energy, water, and other inputs to transport and remanufacture materials.
Paper and the Environment
The main environmental issues associated with paper manufacturing concern are:
Environmentally preferable papers should therefore meet the following specifications:
- 100% recycled (or a high percentage recycled)
- specified level of post consumer content (50% at a minimum)
- not bleached using chlorine or chlorine compounds
Please note: these specifications are based on desired environmental outcomes associated with paper manufacture. Other criteria such as archival quality have not been addressed in these specifications, but have been documented in the 'Know Your Paper’ guides produced by the New South Wales Government:
Environmentally Responsible Paper - Purchasing Guides
Know Your Paper
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/spd_ob_kyppurguideweb.pdf  (1.75 MB)
Department for Environment and Climate Change NSW guide for purchasing environmentally responsible white A4 copy paper (last updated 2004)
Know Your Printing Paper
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/spd_ob_kypguideweb.pdf (812 kb)
Department for Environment and Climate Change NSW guide for purchasing environmentally responsible paper for corporate stationery and promotional materials (last updated 2004)
Choosing Recycled Office Paper
www.ces.vic.gov.au (75 kb) (go to Publications)
Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Guide, Victoria (last updated 2006)
Guide to Environmental Copy Paper
www.wilderness.org.au/pdf/paper-brochure-email.pdf (668 kb)
Wilderness Society Guide (last updated August 2007)
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Recycled Content
Environmentally preferable papers are those which are 100% recycled (or a high percentage of recycled). Choosing these papers keeps forest ecosystems intact through reducing demand for wood products from both high conservation value (old growth, rainforest and other) forests and plantation monocultures.
Where papers are purchased which are not 100% recycled (ie. contain virgin fibres), the fibre should be sourced from sustainably managed plantations. There are numerous certification schemes with varying criteria as to what constitutes a ‘sustainable’ management regime, however the Forest Stewardship Council certification is widely regarded as the preferred standard from an environmental perspective.
www.fsc.org/en
Forest Stewardship Council
The use of the term ‘plantation’ should be interpreted with caution and thoroughly investigated – an area of high conservation value forest may have been cleared in order to establish the plantation.
Post-Consumer Content
It is important to make the distinction between pre-consumer recycled content, and post-consumer recycled content.
- Pre-consumer material is that diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process.
- Post-consumer material is generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product which can no longer be used for its intended purpose.
If the contents of a product are labelled only 'recycled', without specifying a level of post-consumer content, the product may consist of pre-consumer or post-consumer fibre, or both ie. paper which is labelled '100% recycled' may contain only (or a large percentage of) pre-consumer materials. While it is good business as well as good environmental practice to utilise pre-consumer materials such as mill broke and offcuts, it is the incorporation of post-consumer content which supports recycling and diverts waste from landfills.
Bleaching
Environmentally preferable papers are those do not use chlorine or chlorine compounds as a bleaching agent.
‘Bleaching agents are used during the pulping of virgin wood fibres and the whitening of recovered paper. The type of bleaching agent used in paper manufacturing is an important factor. The use of chlorine as a bleaching agent is being discouraged due to health and environmental concerns associated with the production of organochlorines and other potentially harmful substances.’
Know Your Printing Paper (2004) NSW Government
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/spd_ob_kyppurguideweb.pdf (1.75 MB)
One of the by-products of chlorine use is dioxin, which is classed as a carcinogen by the US EPA and a persistent organic pollutant (POP) by the United Nations.
Dioxin is one of the 'dirty dozen' Persistent Organic Pollutants (PoPs) - has been targeted for global phase-out by the UN under the Stockholm Convention which entered into force on 17 May 2004. The initial target list of 12 POPs are aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, toxaphene, polychlorinated biphenols or PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, dioxins and furans:
'Of all the pollutants released into the environment every year by human activity, POPs are the most dangerous. For decades these highly toxic chemicals have killed and injured people and wildlife by inducing cancer and damaging the nervous, reproductive and immune systems. They have also caused uncounted birth defects," said UNEP Executive Klaus Toepfer...another key goal for the COP will be to finalize guidelines for promoting “best environmental practices” and best available techniques that can reduce or eliminate releases of dioxins and furans (perhaps the most toxic of all the POPs) from a wide range of industrial and other sources.’
www.pops.int/documents/press/pr2-04SC.pdf (20 kb)
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to enter into force on 17 May 2004 - UNEP Press Release
'Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. With the evidence of long-range transport of these substances to regions where they have never been used or produced and the consequent threats they pose to the environment of the whole globe, the international community has now, at several occasions called for urgent global actions to reduce and eliminate releases of these chemicals.'
www.chem.unep.ch/pops
United Nations Environment Programme - Chemicals - Persistent Organic Pollutants
References to 'low levels of dioxin emissions' need to be understood in the context that dioxin bioaccumulates (stays in the environment and works its way up the food chain) over space and time, and is stored in the fatty tissue of mammals where it acts as an endocrine disruptor:
www.ec.gc.ca/eds/fact/broch_e.htm
Endocrine Disrupting Substances in the Environment – Environment Canada
In addition, the US EPA has characterised dioxin as a human carcinogen, even at low levels of exposure:
'Dioxins have been characterized by EPA as likely to be human carcinogens and are anticipated to increase the risk of cancer at background levels of exposure.'
www.epa.gov/oppt/pbt/pubs/dioxins.htm
Persistent and Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemical Program - US EPA
Due to the concern over the use of chlorine as a bleaching agent in paper manufacture, many papers are now marketed as ‘ECF’ (elemental chlorine-free), ‘PCF’ (processed chlorine-free) or ‘TCF’ (‘totally chlorine-free’).
Elemental chlorine-free (ECF) paper does not involve the use of elemental chlorine gas as a whitening agent, so the level of chlorinated dioxins and furans in mill effluent is much lower than conventional chlorine bleaching - however chlorine dioxide and chlorine compounds are still used in ECF processes.
Processed Chlorine-Free (PCF) paper is manufactured without using any chlorine or chlorine derivatives. However, where PCF processes are used in recycling post-consumer paper (where it is likely that chlorine was used in the manufacture of the original paper) there will be some residual chlorine in the finished product - but the important criteria is that no chlorine is used as a bleaching/whitening agent.
Totally Chlorine-Free (TCF) paper uses oxygen or hydrogen peroxide bleaching and uses no chlorine in the manufacturing process at all. However by definition TCF paper is 100% virgin wood fibre, not recycled paper, because recycled paper will have some residual chlorine (at least until such time as all paper is manufactured without the use of chlorine or chlorine compounds).
Many claims of 'TCF' are in fact PCF - if a paper is 100% recycled and contains post-consumer waste, it is unlikely that all of that 'waste' paper was initially manufactured without the use of chlorine - therefore there will be some residual chlorine in the recycled paper. While this is an issue for accurate labelling and promoting correct definitions, this is not a cause for concern from a greening perspective - the issue is whether chlorine is being used to manufacture the recycled paper.
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Greenhouse Impacts
One of the criticisms levelled against some environmentally preferable papers is the greenhouse impact associated with importing it from overseas. This valid concern needs to be weighed up not only with consideration to other environmental criteria (fibre source, bleaching agent), but also with the greenhouse impacts associated with the importation of pulp from overseas which comprises over a quarter of Australia’s domestic paper manufacture:
www.paperlinx.com.au/cpa/dat/download_file/Issues_Fibre_Supply.pdf (108 kb)
Another argument is that the recycled content in imported papers has been sourced from overseas, and therefore the paper is not supporting diversion of paper from landfill in Australia (ie. the imported papers reduce landfill in Europe, not here), whereas Australian-made recycled content papers make a 'direct’ contribution to reducing landfill here.
Wherever post consumer paper is collected, recycled and sold in the world, it is contributing to supporting recycling and reducing impacts on forests (and, arguably, environmental impacts associated with plantation monocultures).
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Recycled Content Paper, Warranties and the Trade Practices Act
Will using recycled content office paper void product warranties and impact service agreements?
Exceprt from the NSW's Government's 'Know Your Paper' Guide
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/spd_ob_kyppurguideweb.pdf (1.75 MB)
What the Office Equipment Manufacturers Say…on the Record!
When the 2000 Guide was developed, twenty-four office equipment manufacturers, incorporating manufacturers of photocopiers, fax machines and printers were consulted to investigate the legitimacy of claims that the use of recycled content office paper would have an impact on service agreements, servicing costs and/or product warranties.
The response from the majority of companies was outwardly positive and supportive of the use of good quality brands of recycled content office paper. Companies understand that like all paper products, there is variation in the quality of different brands of recycled paper and each brand should be treated individually.
Some companies have conducted testing on different brands of paper and may be able to provide further testing if requested by a client.
Most companies are clearly well informed about the improved quality of recycled papers over recent years and overall many company representatives see the importance of implementing sound environmental practices and the need to make a commitment to sustainability. The general consensus from office equipment manufacturers was that good quality recycled content papers are satisfactory as long as they meet the specifications for the machines in which they will be used. It is important to ensure that a paper is compatible with the office equipment before conducting a trial and to contact the office equipment manufacturer to investigate whether any previous testing has been conducted.
The general response was that different papers should be treated case by case and any new brand should undergo trials before committing to full-scale usage. If over time it can be proven that a brand of paper is causing increased problems in office equipment, your service technician should first advise you to discontinue the use of the paper. If you were to then continue using the paper, there may be costs associated with additional repairs or service calls that can be directly attributed to the use of that paper.
It should be noted that this is applicable to all types of office paper, not simply those containing recycled fibre!! When questioned about the performance of different brands of paper in office equipment, a number of companies mentioned that some cheaper imported papers that are manufactured from new fibre are prone to causing problems in office equipment. They viewed this as more of an issue than using recycled content papers.
Trade Practices Act 1974
Claims that the use of recycled office paper will increase the cost of service agreements and violate product warranties or that only a company specific brand of paper can be used in their equipment, may constitute a breach of the Trade Practices Act 1974. Under the Trade Practices Act 1974, it is an offence to mislead the public about the characteristics or suitability for purpose of any goods. It is also an offence to make a false or misleading representation about the exclusion or effect of any condition, warranty or guarantee. If a competitor’s recycled paper is identical or equivalent in performance to their own, equipment manufacturers or suppliers cannot legally discriminate against the competing products. This applies to misleading claims about competing products and also to attempts to establish bias through conditions in service contracts and warranties.
As a result no office equipment manufacturer can legally discourage the use of recycled paper if it meets the specifications for the machine in which it will be used. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) can also be contacted by anyone seeking further information.
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Reuse
Reuse is higher up the waste management hierarchy than recycling, as well as being less greenhouse intensive - reusing things in their existing form (even if they have to be transported to a new 'home') takes less energy and materials than collecting and recycling materials into something new.
Reuse generally results in a 'highest and best use' of resources than recycling (for example, reusing a wooden chair instead of recycling it as firewood).
- Construction Connect enables surplus or 'waste' building and demolition materials to be offered, sought and traded via this site:
www.arrnetwork.com.au
- nextlife is a Yahoo! site which encourages South Australian workplaces to manage and redistribute surplus or unwanted workplace equipment and materials which would otherwise go to landfill:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nextlife
Anyone from any kind of workplace (government, non profits, community groups, small business) is welcome to join, provided they are located in South Australia.
Participants join the group, and can then post to/read messages from other group members, matching the needs of some members with the surplus or unwanted items of others.
(Note: a Yahoo ID will be needed to post a message, but it is free to register)
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Mystery Box
Each year just before Christmas, ZWSA staff have an informal morning tea during which we dissect our 'Mystery Box'.
ZWSA established the Mystery Box in 2004, as a way of determining what things could not be put into one of our recycling systems, and would otherwise be destined for landfill (not including any hazardous waste or wet waste such as used tissues, chewing gum etc which cannot be stored for a length of time). Any items that are damaged/broken or superfluous and which would otherwise be put in a general waste bin are instead stored in a special cardboard box.
During the annual 'dissection', staff examine the contents of the box, and discuss whether something in fact could be recycled; if not why not, and what alternatives there may be (eg. set up a new recycling system; not buy things that can only end up in landfill etc).
This idea probably works best once there is at least paper, cardboard and comingled recycling in place, and also on a floor or section rather than total worksite level.
ZWSA Mystery Box Dissection Results:
Green = recyclable/reusable
Blue = uncertain/needs clarification
Red = not recyclable/reusable (to landfill)
Why not start your own 'Mystery Box' at your worksite? All you need is a storage box and the understand of staff what is (and isn't!) appropriate to place in it.
Set Up A ‘Mystery Box’:
- establish a collection box in your work site
- place any items your worksite has found no way of reusing/recycling in this box (please: no food waste, chewing gum, used tissues or any other ‘wet waste’)
- organise for yourself and one or two colleagues to check back on it after a set time period and dissect its contents
- catalogue your discoveries using this form
 (36 kb)
Questions:
- what could have been diverted from landfill and recycled or reused?
- what couldn’t have been diverted from landfill and recycled or reused, and why?
- could you purchase something different to substitute for some items, or do without them?
- do you suspect something could be managed in a more environmentally responsible way?
Two of the major reasons why items cannot be recycled are:
- they are comprised of two or more materials which cannot be easily separated (disassembled), and/or
- the material(s) cannot be identified
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Behaviour Change Tools for Workplace Recycling
The recycling systems are there - but people just won't use them!
Or worse, they put the wrong things in the wrong bins and contaminate a whole load of recycling that stands a good chance of being rejected once it gets to a sorting facility - and ends up going to landfill!
Bringing about behaviour change is one of the most difficult tasks in any endeavour, whether its a workplace greening program, a public health campaign or road safety. There are relevant facts and sound reasons (whether they are health, financial or environmental) for behaviour to change, the technologies, systems and support are there, but the change just doesn't seem to happen!
Unfortunately there is no one size fits all solution or checklist to bring about 'green' behaviour change in the workplace. How this is tackled depends entirely on the nature (size, geographical spread) and culture of your workplace. Bear in mind that there will be different 'target' groups - people who respond to 'green' messages, people who respond to financial messags like cost savings, and a range of other interest groups.
Behaviour change is a long-term project, and waste in particular is high maintenance, as it cannot be 'automated' like some aspects of energy and water use (sensors, low flow fixtures). Successful waste management and recycling relies entirely on people, from staff to cleaners, being aware of, understanding how to use, and willing to participate, in the systems.
Behaviour Change Tools for Workplace Recycling (792 kb) is a summary of the approaches of three leading behaviour change thinkers: Doug Mackenzie-Mohr, noted for his work on Community Based Social Marketing; David Engwicht, noted for his behaviour change theory and practice in relation to traffic taming and street reclaiming; and Fran Peavey, who developed the concept of Strategic Questioning). This summary is not intended as a 'how to' guide, nor is it a comprehensive list of all the approaches and tools which could be used to influence behaviour, but it is an introduction to some theories of behaviour change.
Key Points:
- just because people are aware of an issue, it does not necessarily follow that their behaviour will change
- there may be different barriers to behaviour change (eg. awareness of recycling systems; knowledge of what can go in which bin; willingness to participate in recycling) each of which need different behaviour change techniques
- people hold different value systems, and are rarely convinced to change by force of rational argument or attempts to 'sell' them a different set of values
- the 'buy-in' needs to be broad based, not the responsibility of a few committed individuals - if those people leave, the system falls over; systems need to be embedded as part of normal business practice, as it is for any other business operation
- behaviour change requires careful communication techniques eg. asking 'why won't you recycle?' could result in a defensive reaction; asking 'what would it take for you to participate in recycling?' invites people into a conversation and asks them what they need to make a change
'(Behaviour change is)
like dancing - you don't come up to someone doing salsa, and insist they do a waltz with you. I think it's the same with people's behaviour. Meet them in the middle, then move from there.'
- quote paraphrased from message to Fostering Sustainable Behaviour listserv - subscribe at www.cbsm.com
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Recycling Signage
 
Clear and accurate signage helps to educate staff about the correct way to recycle and minimise the risk of incorrect materials being placed in recycling bins. For agencies new to recycling it may be helpful to check out the signs Zero Waste SA uses in the utility area in its office. These signs should be tailored according to the services provided by your own contractor.
Rubbish Bin/Landfill Prompt 248 Kb
Comingled 712 Kb
Confidential Waste 712 Kb
Paper and Cardboard 712 Kb
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Recycling Information Directory
The Zero Waste SA Recycling Information Directory is a searchable database which provides details of South Australian recyclers by location/postcode and types of materials accepted, including:
- batteries (cadmium and nickel/cadmium (NiCad), car & truck, lithium, mercury, mobile phone batteries)
- building and demolition materials
- deposit containers (aluminium cans, glass, cartons, plastic)
- ferrous metal (steel cans and scrap)
- lass (non-deposit - food and beverage glass only)
- non ferrous metal (aluminium, brass, copper, lead, stainless steel, zinc)
- paper and cardboard (white office, newspaper, mixed colour)
- other (asbestos, chemical drums, cork, electronic, green organic, hazardous liquids, pharmaceuticals, printer and toner cartridges, rubber, smoke detectors, textiles/rags, tyres, waste oil)
Zero Waste SA Fact Sheets
Educational fact sheets covering a range of recycling subjects are available under Publications.
Zero Waste SA Image Gallery
The Image Gallery provides a range of photographs which are free to use.
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Greening @ Work - Beyond Waste
The following sites may assist in addressing a range of greening initiatives in the workplace:
Greening Meetings, Events & Conferences
All indoor and outdoor public events and conferences organised by or on behalf of your workplace, and events for which your workplace is providing sponsorship, should have in place contractual requirements and systems which ensure that waste to landfill is minimised and that reusable, recyclable and compostable materials are, to the greatest extent possible, diverted from landfill, including food waste associated with catering. The contractor(s) should also be required to measure and report on the amount of material recycled/composted.
Workshops, seminars and public meetings organised or sponsored by your workplace should demonstrate commitment to minimising waste, and maximising recycling by having appropriate systems in place to collect recyclable or compostable materials, including any food waste associated with catering.
Useful Green Meetings, Conferences and Events Documents and Links:
The resources below will contain some information that is relevant only to the jursidiction in which they were produced, but the general principles and approaches are universally relevant.
Meetings & Conferences
Green Meeting Guide (756 kb) Environment Canada guide which covers planning and organising, logistics, includes checklists
BlueGreen Meetings US Green Meeting Industry Council Hosts and Planners resources and checklists covering accommodation, transportation, food and beverage, venues, communication and marketing
Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions case studies, resources for a range of green conference aspects
Green Meetings Report (340 kb) US Convention Industry Council
Green Meetings US EPA portal
Green Meetings Policy (648 kb) US National Recycling Coalition
Meet Green green meeting tools for purchase
Global Green Hospitality Consortium founded to address the increasing pressures on the hospitality industry to implement green initiatives in response to demands from government entities, environmental groups and the general public
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Public Events
Public Place Recycling Zero Waste SA guidelines, signage
Waste Wise Events Department of Environment & Climate Change (NSW) guide covering action to take before, during and after an event
Public Place Recycling Guidelines (1.44 MB) Sustainability Victoria
Guide to Recycling at Public Events (656 kb) Department of Territory and Municipal Services ACT
Event Greening (2.9 MB) Canadian guide for managing, waste, recyclables and organics at events and festivals
Solid Waste Reduction Guide for Venues and Special Events (440 kb) California Integrated Waste Management Board
Venues and Events - Reducing Waste California Integrated Waste Management Board resources including case studies
Wastewise Catering Toolkit Sustainability Victoria kit for caterers covering purchasing and storage, menu planning for waste reduction, and waste recovery
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On the ZWSA Bookshelf
The concept of zero waste is about resource recovery and recycling, but it is also about rethinking how our civilisation functions, how we can move from a 'take-make-waste' linear economy to a circular, closed-loop economy.
Most of the resources in this section will reflect not waste disposal or recycling, but this upper half of the hierarchy - resource efficiency (material input per unit of production), materials management, shifting from goods to services.
The ultimate zero waste challenge is the highest point on the hierarchy is avoid. We need to slow the volume and rate at which we are channelling resources through the human economy.
The zero waste goal cannot be realised without addressing consumption, as there are limits to what recycling and efficiency can achieve – although recycling rates continue to rise, so does the overall volume of waste; although resource efficiency has improved (and there is much scope for further improvement), the demand for materials continues to increase.
Below are some of the books and publications that have influenced and informed zero waste thinking generally, and the staff of ZWSA personally.
Except where identified as a free resource*, all of the books and publications below are available for purchase, and can usually be sourced locally.
www.amazon.ca/Affluenza-CL-Graff-Wann/dp/1576751511
Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic (2002) John De Graaf, David Wann & Thomas H. Naylor
www.growthfetish.com/book2.htm
Affluenza (2005) Clive Hamilton & Richard Denniss
www.carbontrust.co.uk (* free report)
The Carbon Emissions Generated In All That We Consume (2006) UK Carbon Trust
www.mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradle.htm
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (2002)
William McDonough and Michael Braungart
www.billmckibben.com/deep-economy.html
Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future (2007) Bill McKibben
www.paulhawken.com/paulhawken_frameset.html
Ecology of Commerce (1993) Paul Hawken
www.neweconomics.org/gen/12345news_ecologicaldebt.aspx
Ecological Debt (2005) Andrew Simms
http://shop.earthscan.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/148
Emotionally Durable Design (2005) Jonathan Chapman
www.unswpress.com.au/isbn/0868409391.htm
Ethics of Waste: How We Relate to Rubbish (2006) Gay Hawkins
www.wupperinst.org/FactorFour
Factor Four: Doubling Wealth, Halving Resource Use (1995) Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, Amory & L Hunter Lovins
www.growthfetish.com
Growth Fetish (2003) Clive Hamilton
www.ishmael.org/Origins/Ishmael
Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (1995) Daniel Quinn
www.menzelphoto.com/gallery/subCategory.php?subCategory=Books/Material%20World
Material World: A Global Family Portrait (1994) Peter Menzel
www.worldwatch.org/node/846 (* free PDF)
Mind Over Matter: Recasting the Role of Materials in Our Lives (1998) Gary Gardner & Payal Sampat, Worldwatch Institute
www.natcap.org (* entire book can be downloaded for free, chapter by chapter)
Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (1999) Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, L Hunter Lovins
www.newsociety.com/bookid/3663
Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth (1996) William Rees & Mathis Wackernagel
http://shop.earthscan.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/386
Sharing Nature’s Interest (2000) Nicky Chambers, Craig Simmons & Mathis Wackernagel
www.amazon.ca/Stark-Ben-Elton/dp/0747403902/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198220213&sr=1-2
Stark (1989) Ben Elton
www.worldwatch.org/pubs/sow/2004
State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society (2004) Eric Assadourian; Christopher Flavin; Hilary French; Gary Gardner; Brian Halweil; Lisa Mastny; Danielle Nierenberg; Sandra Postel; Michael Renner; Radhika Sarin; Janet Sawin; Linda Starke & Amy Vickers, Worldwatch Institute
www.sightline.org/publications/books/stuff
Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things (1997) John C. Ryan & Alan Thein Durning
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