These 27 places are going zero-waste, and so can you

San Francisco, USA - In 2002, San Francisco became the first large American city to commit to zero-waste, and in 2009 it became the first city to join the Universal Recycling Ordinance. Although its 2020 zero-waste goal seems unlikely, the city has implemented significant waste-free public policies.

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Ljubljana, Slovenia - Ljubljana became Europe's first capital city to commit to zero-waste in 2014, and they are on track to hit their goal of halving their residual waste by 2025.

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Santa Monica, USA - After surveying the needs and concerns of the community, this southern California city began their Zero Waste Strategic Operations Plan in 2014, with the goal of 95% diversion from landfills by 2030.

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Pune, India - Pune launched a zero-waste program in 2012, after the first waste pickers' union in India pushed for safer working conditions and simultaneously drew attention to the challenge of waste management.

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Međimurje, Croatia - Međimurje joined the Zero Waste Europe network in 2015, committing to landfill reduction, no more incineration, and 70% waste recovery by 2020.

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Sardinia, Italy - Proving that tourist hot spots can still go zero-waste, this island uses methods like door-to-door collection, a pay-as-you-throw system, as well as incentives and penalties for municipalities depending on their waste reduction.

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San Diego, USA - In 2015, this California city announced its goal to divert 75% of waste being sent to landfills by 2020, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040. Educational events and consultations support residents and local businesses.

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Wales - Their 2010 "Toward Zero Waste" declaration set the goal of reaching 70% recycling of waste by 2025, and zero waste by 2050. In 2017, the recycling rate reached 63.8% for municipal solid waste.

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Targu Lapus, Romania - In 2014, Targu Lapus became the first city in Romania to trade incinerator plans for a zero-waste commitment. Their goal is to reach 8% diversion from landfills by 2020, with a focus on composting and recycling.

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Alaminos, Philippines - In 2009, the city council passed the first zero-waste ordinance in the Philippines. In a place where open dumping and burning of waste was once normal, composting and waste separation have become more common.

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Auckland, New Zealand - This Kiwi city set a 2040 zero-waste goal, and collaboratively joining with 22 other cities and regions around the world who have committed to C40's Zero Waste Declaration.

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France - France is combining goodwill and environmental action with a law that bans grocery stores from throwing away edible food, even implementing a weighty fine for anyone who doesn't give the food to charities.

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What can you do? - Even the way you purchase clothes can hurt or help the environment. Luckily, there are some easy ways to buy more sustainably.

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Get creative - Think out of the box (or out of the bin) and explore cool ways to decorate your house with waste materials.

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These 27 places are going zero-waste, and so can you

Does your city have what it takes? Do you?

22/05/19 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Environment

As our population grows exponentially, so does our waste, and while we produce millions of tons of garbage every day, our time is running out to protect the environment. Though our situation can often seem hopeless, going waste-free is actually a completely viable and increasingly common initiative taken by individuals, businesses, communities, and even entire countries.

Click through to see which places, as reported by National Geographic, are getting rid of greenhouse gas-emitting incinerators and taking matters, or trash, into their own hands.