- zilch, nil, zip, nada, zero – Waste

What does Vancouver plan on doing with items that cannot be recycled? How can we possibly plan on reaching a goal of ‘Zero Waste’ when items such as light bulbs, plastic, glass and mirrors cannot be recycled? Even if Vancouverites cash in their cans, recycle their newspapers and compost their food scraps, is the idea of diverting 100% of waste from landfills to reach ‘Zero Waste’ feasible?

Of course we all want the best for our planet, but recycling is time consuming, not to mention confusing. Currently, Vancouver only recycles 52% of the 3.5 million tonnes of waste produced each year. Who is stopping you from throwing your soda can in the garbage? Essentially, there is nobody forcing you to recycle or cut your waste. Without legislation or increased support extended to each home and business in Vancouver, reaching a goal of ‘Zero Waste’ in Vancouver will cease to exist and simply be unrealistic.

Vancouver must establish laws and provide support, if they plan on attaining their far-fetched goal of 72% diversion of waste from landfills by 2010. So, Can Vancouver shed enough of its garbage to reach ‘Zero Waste’? Toronto has a similar plan. Read an article on Toronto and Zero Waste.

Sources:

http://www.wicomicocounty.org/pubwrk/things.htm

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solidwaste/zerowaste/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/a-challenge-to-toronto.php