How Low Can You Go?  

True or False? "People will never exchange their high impact consumer lifestyle for one that they perceive is less – less fun, less satisfying, less comfortable."

By Portia Sinnott, LITE Initiatives, Copyright, 2007

Zero Waste - Or Darn Close
In nature, biodegradability is the norm and there is no waste. Zero Waste, the application of that fact, ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled into the marketplace or nature.

Seriously, we believe if it can’t be recycled – it shouldn’t be made!

Some people vehemently object to this term because reaching zero is impossible. Proponents consider it a worthy goal that shouldn’t be dismissed because it is too ambitious.

The State of California is leading the way: "Now, with recycling and conservation programs in every city, we are able to embrace the zero waste concept as our guiding principal and goal for the future." www.zerowaste.ca.gov. It is not just in California, this issue is being collaboratively worked on all over the world: www.grrn.org, www.zwia.org

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
In the ZW worldview, the long-term responsibility for a product is on the producer of the item, not you the consumer or the local government agency that oversees your waste steam. The ultimate goal of EPR is clean, safe materials and production and the elimination of waste at each stage of the product’s life cycle. www.eprworkinggroup.org, www.productpolicy.org

Precautionary Principle – Do No Harm
If an action, policy or product might cause severe harm, the burden of proof should fall on those who are producing it. In other words, it must be proved to be safe before it is implemented - versus proving it is not unsafe. www.safecosmetics.org, www.noharm.org

Carbon Offsets – Trying to reconcile your actions with your values? Rather then sending money around the world and possibly through many hands, consider investing the same amount in greening your own home or donate to a local non-profit that supports your values. Internal trades are another story; no one needs to be 100% perfect. If you make an extra trip to the movie store tonight, plan to walk around town tomorrow. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_offset.

LITE Initiatives, a California-based DIY working group, promotes simple, straightforward practices with significant consequences. LITE’s programs include Car-Lite, Community Bikes, Green Mentor and Zero Waste Sonoma County.

For more info and additional checklists, visit www.liteinit.org, or contact us at LITE at sonic.net or 707 579-5811.