Have you ever heard people use the term ‘Zero Waste” but really weren’t sure what that meant? How can there be ‘zero waste’ anyway?
According to the Zero Waste International Alliance’s (ZWIA) peer reviewed definition, Zero Waste is “the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials without burning them and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”
Just what does all of that mean, and how can you do your part?
Responsible production – We can’t change what companies do, but we can “vote with our dollar” and support local, typically smaller companies, like at the farmers’ market.
Consumption – Do I really need a free water bottle, even though I brought my own reusable one?
Reuse – Before throwing it away or even recycling it, can I use it again? Recycling a glass jar is great, but using it as a jar repeatedly is infinitely more practical and less wasteful.
Recovery – Roughly 50% of our waste stream consists of valuable resources we can put to good use to good use by recycling.
Without burning (burning trash) – also known as “Waste-to-Energy,” which can release harmful substances, such as PFAS, to the land, water, and air. These substances can harm our land, water, animals around us, the food we eat, and our health.
We may never reduce waste all the way to zero, but we can follow the Zero Waste hierarchy and do our best for our planet, its resources, and our health.
If you’d like to keep learning about international Zero Waste efforts, please check out zwia.org. For local Zero Waste, gainesvillefl.gov/ZeroWaste and @ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram have got you covered.
Setting Up a Home Zero Waste System - Start Small and Build Sustainable Habits
With the rising popularity of Zero Waste, we all want to know how we can join the party. It turns out it’s easier than we thought, and we can do our part right here at home.
The greatest contributions to the Zero Waste movement are the ones we can sustain – day in and day out – and the ones that don’t cost us anything. So, before you run out and buy the latest gadgets and greenwashed doodads, you’re already reducing waste by starting with what you have at home.
- Be scrappy – your food scraps are more than just a single-use item. Bones, vegetable peels, and other inedible parts of food can be used as a soup starter or bone broth. Keep a small container or bag in your freezer, and put scraps in after every meal. When it gets full, make vegetable broth. Don’t let those good nutrients go to waste! After you make broth, the scraps can be further processed in a backyard compost pile, leaving the nutrients in circulation for the continued benefit of your environment.
- Be water-wise – for many, modern life means an abundance of fresh, clean, potable water. Unfortunately, this can cause us to take this precious resource for granted. Start by turning on the water only while you’re using it – no more letting the water run down the drain while you brush your teeth. For the next level, consider the benefits a greywater system might bring.
- Box it up – collect your recyclables in a small box on the kitchen counter, under the sink, or near the trash can. Setting up a space for your recyclables indoor – one you’ll actually see – increases the chance of recycling more of our precious resources, like metal, glass, and paper.
Home is where the heart is, and it’s also where the best Zero Waste changes can take place. Make gainesvillefl.gov/ZeroWaste your home away from home, and follow ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram
Zero Waste Dining in Schools: Teaching Sustainability and Reducing Waste
What if schools taught us more than just math and science? What if they also modeled sustainability and resource conservation? Schools can significantly reduce their environmental footprint by implementing zero waste practices and raise the next generation of eco-conscious citizens.
Reuse, Reuse, Reuse
Most schools already have dishwashers in cafeteria kitchens, and this allows for the convenient implementation of reusable trays, plates, and utensils, eliminating the need for single-use plastic. By investing in reusables, the school would quickly see a return through lower purchasing costs and solid waste hauling fees, sending less material to the landfill, and providing the students with a nicer dining experience.
Create Distinct Collection Systems
Introducing specific collection points – like liquid pour buckets, utensil bins, recycle bins, and reusable item stations – helps students put items in the correct bin. Clear visual cues and signage encourage students to treat reusables responsibly, reinforcing sustainable habits that extend beyond the cafeteria. Teaching students to source-separate their waste can instill a lifelong habit of conservation and respect for our earth’s resources.
Incorporate Sustainability into the Curriculum
Schools can weave zero waste education into lessons, empowering students to understand their role in protecting the planet. Hands-on activities, like classroom composting or waste audits, give students real-world experience with reducing waste. These efforts support zero waste goals and foster a culture of environmental stewardship.
Schools can lead the charge toward a Zero Waste future by prioritizing reusables, designing effective systems, and embedding sustainability into education. Continue the educational journey at gainesvillefl.gov/ZeroWaste, and follow ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram.
City Offers Support to Apartment Property Managers in Achieving Compliance with Zero Waste Ordinance
To reach the City of Gainesville’s goal of Zero Waste by 2040, residents and businesses will need to work together to rethink their waste habits and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. To support this effort, the City’s Zero Waste Team is available to assist multi-family property owners and managers in evaluating their waste streams, improving collection services, identifying the necessary steps to reach compliance with city ordinances, and ensuring long-term program success.
Two key ordinances that all multi-family properties (apartments and condominiums) should be aware of and working toward achieving compliance are:
- Lease Transition Plans – Starting January 1, 2025, apartment and condominium complexes with 50 or more units must submit a Lease Transition Plan to the City. These plans are critical for reducing landfill waste and avoiding overflowing waste containers during high-volume move-in and move-out periods when waste output can double or triple. Proactively creating a plan ensures effective waste management and encourages residents to sell or donate usable bulky items, helping property managers save on hauling fees.
- Recycling Services – Properties must provide recycling collection services that are as convenient and as accessible to residents as garbage collection services, have an adequate level of recycling service, educate tenants about the recycling program at that property, and make available at least one indoor recycle storage container for each unit. A well-designed recycling program saves money by lowering garbage disposal costs and helps prevent overflowing garbage dumpsters.
For detailed information on the above ordinances and other related waste regulations, visit gainesvillefl.gov/apartment-Recycling. Available resources for property managers and owners include a Zero Waste Toolkit, free apartment recycling signs, and onsite property zero waste evaluations from the City’s Zero Waste Team. For further assistance, contact the Zero Waste Team at waste@cityofgainesville.org or 352-334-2330.
Avoiding the Pitfalls of “Wishcycling” Recycling
Recycling is a thoughtful way to care for the planet, but sometimes, our good intentions can misfire through a practice called "wishcycling." Wishcycling happens when we toss items into recycling bins, hoping they are recyclable, without verifying if accepted locally. Although well-meaning, wishcycling can actually cause problems for recycling systems and the environment.
Wishcycling often includes items like plastic bags, greasy pizza boxes, or glass vases—things that may seem recyclable but are not. These items can contaminate recycling streams, making it harder for facilities to process materials and turning good intentions into setbacks. Removing contaminants requires extra time, resources, and energy, driving up the costs of recycling programs. A cleaner recycling stream leads to greater efficiency, less environmental impact, and more appealing materials for manufacturers. When we recycle correctly, we support creating new products, keeping the system sustainable, and maximizing environmental benefits.
By taking a moment to check local guidelines, we can ensure we are recycling the right items. Together, we can make recycling more effective, reduce waste, and help the planet thrive. So, skip the guesswork, recycle smartly, and turn good intentions into great results!
Get the answers to all your recycling questions at gainesvillefl.gov/WhatCanBeRecycled or ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram.
Recycle Your Tree After the Holidays!
When the holiday season wraps up, make sure to recycle your natural tree responsibly with these easy steps:
- Remove All Decorations: Before setting your tree out for collection, be sure to take off all tinsel, ornaments, lights, hooks, and tree stands.
- Set it Out: Place your tree curbside by 7 AM on your scheduled collection day with your other yard waste.
Additional Guidelines:
- Flocked (spray-painted) trees, houseplants, or potted plants cannot be collected.
- Do not place trees in large plastic removal bags.
Artificial or plastic holiday trees can be collected as bulk waste items. Set them out separately from yard waste and not inside boxes or bags. If your artificial tree is in good condition, consider donating it! Use the Zero Waste Wizard to find local reuse stores that accept donations, or message ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram for more options.
Let’s keep the season green by recycling responsibly!
Reduce Waste During the Holidays
This magical time of year brings joy, warmth, and family fun, but it can be overwhelming at times, too. To reduce the stress of the holidays, we often select the convenience of disposable items, which leads to us generating almost 50% more trash in December.
However, reducing your holiday waste might save you money and make your events more memorable, all while helping preserve our environment. Here are some quick tips for making less waste during the holidays.
Gift delicious experiences: Instead of buying cheap goods online, you can delight your loved ones with unique experiences such as taking them out to a new restaurant, gifting them a painting or cooking class, or offering to sponsor part of a trip.
Shop used: When selecting gifts, remember that nearly everything you’d like to get someone can be purchased secondhand or pre-owned – even online and on the biggest retail websites. Doing this reduces the environmental burden and creates opportunities for buying less mass-produced and often higher-quality items.
Opt for durables: If you’re hosting a holiday party, use real plates and cutlery to make your guests feel more at home. After the meal, the more guests you have, the more helping hands there are to wash dishes, and everyone wants to feel useful!
Reducing waste by embracing thoughtful gifts and your thriving community will help you truly make it the most wonderful time of the year. Follow @ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram for more holiday waste reduction tips.
Worming Your Way to a Greener World: An Introduction to Vermicomposting
What if we told you that some of the smallest creatures on Earth play an important role in saving it? Meet vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is the process of using worms to turn your food scraps into nutrient-rich compost. Worms are tiny composting champions that reduce waste and help nourish the soil, making it healthier and more productive. Let’s dig in and discover how worm composting works and why it’s a fantastic way to shrink your environmental footprint!
Vermicomposting involves using specific worms, typically red wigglers (Eisenia fetida), to break down organic waste like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and even coffee grounds. The worms digest this material and excrete “castings” – a fancy word for worm poop – which are loaded with nutrients that plants love.
The process is simple:
1. Set up a worm bin – a container with proper ventilation, bedding (shredded newspaper or coconut coir), and a dark, moist environment.
2. Add your worms – red wigglers are the best for the job.
3. Feed them kitchen scraps – but avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods. And avoid overfeeding.
4. Harvest the castings – after a few weeks, you’ll have dark, crumbly “black gold” to use in your garden.
The environmental benefits of vermicomposting include reducing material needlessly sent to the landfill, creating a natural fertilizer for your plants, supporting soil biodiversity, and making a host of tiny, fascinating, and, most importantly, hungry worm friends.
Learn more about worming your way to a greener world at gainesvillefl.gov/Recycle and @ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram.
Surprisingly Common Items That Are Not Recyclable
Confusion about what can and can’t be recycled is widespread, and with recycling rules varying from one place to another, it doesn’t make it any easier. However, keeping non-recyclable materials out of recycling bins is crucial to reducing processing costs and maintaining strong market demand for recycled materials.
Here are seven items that most recycling programs do not accept:
1. Store receipts – Most receipts are printed on thermal paper coated with chemicals that make them unsuitable for recycling.
2. Plastic single-use cups – Don't be misled by the recycling arrows; these cups are made from lower-grade plastic, which is not widely recyclable.
3. Ceramic bottles & jars – Common in high-end beauty products, these items differ from glass beverage containers and can contaminate recycling streams.
4. Paper coffee cups – The plastic lining that keeps these cups waterproof also makes them non-recyclable. However, the cardboard sleeves are usually recyclable.
5. Plastic straws & utensils – Most straws, forks, spoons, and knives are usually made from non-recyclable plastics and are too small to be processed effectively.
6. Pizza boxes – The greasy, oil-soaked bottoms of pizza boxes can’t be recycled. However, the clean tops can be torn off and recycled.
7. Insulating liners – Often used in meal kit deliveries, these liners can tangle in sorting machinery and should not be placed in recycle bins.
To find out what items are recyclable locally, visit the Zero Waste Wizard at gainesvillefl.gov/WasteWizard, and be sure to follow @ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram.
Zero Waste & You: Reducing Waste at the Office
Having a Zero Waste plan at the office is an impactful way to reduce environmental footprints, foster team engagement, and improve workplace sustainability. By implementing small yet effective changes in how we recycle and reduce waste, we can help create a cleaner, greener workplace.
1. Form an office “Green Team” with employees from all workplace sectors.
- Obtain support from management and custodial staff.
- Appoint an enthusiastic and dependable recycling coordinator.
- Determine what materials are going to be recycled.
- Select a certified hauler for the collection and transportation of recyclables.
- Promote the program with an official kick-off ceremony or memo from management.
2. Set up Effective Waste Stations.
- Strategically place recycle containers in locations where the waste is generated (i.e., copier rooms) and always try to pair a recycle container next to a trash container.
- Ensure recycle containers are distinctively, adequately labeled, and serviced regularly.
- Educate staff on what can (and can’t) be recycled with posters, memos, and emails.
3. Starting Reducing Waste.
- Go Digital: Shift to digital documents and cloud storage to minimize paper usage.
- Set double-sided printing as the default on copy machines.
- Invest in refillable items like pens and soap dispensers.
- Provide employees with reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and food containers.
- Stock kitchen areas with reusable cutlery, plates, and glasses.
4. Minimize Food Waste
- Set up a compost bin for food scraps and partner with compost services to turn food waste into soil-enriching compost.
- Encourage mindful ordering by not over-ordering catering for events and ask caterers for eco-friendly packaging options.
For assistance setting up your workplace zero waste program, contact the City of Gainesville Solid Waste Division at waste@cityofgainesville.org or 352-334-2330.
Don’t Toss Out Those Old Holiday Lights – Recycle Them Instead!
As the festive season draws near, many of us eagerly unpack boxes of holiday decorations, including strings of twinkling lights that have adorned our homes for years. But what if you find a set that’s no longer working or impossibly tangled? Don’t throw them away—recycle them!
Residents can drop off old holiday lights for recycling at the City of Gainesville's Public Works offices at 405 NW 39th Avenue, through the end of January. Accepted items include strings of incandescent lights, LED lights, “icicle” lights, light wires, and attached bulbs. Please remove light casings, such as plastic candy cane shells, before bringing them in for recycling. No set of lights is too tangled for recycling!
Residents may also recycle old holiday lights year-round at any one of the Alachua County Drop-Off sites. For a complete list of drop-off locations, visit gainesvillefl.gov/WasteWizard.
Switching from old incandescent lights to new LED lights can lead to big savings on your electric bill. LED lights consume 80-90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 100,000 hours, compared to only 3,000 hours for incandescent lights.
And remember NOT to place holiday lights in your home recycle bins.
5 Ways to Reduce Food Waste This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones, sharing gratitude, and, of course, enjoying a delicious feast. But with all the hearty portions and abundant side dishes, food waste often becomes an unfortunate part of the celebration.
Here are some practical tips for reducing food waste this Thanksgiving, so you can enjoy the holiday without guilt and help the planet in the process!
- Plan & Portion Thoughtfully - It’s easy to get carried away with menu planning, but a thoughtful approach to portioning can prevent excess leftovers. Plan for about 1 to 1.5 pounds of food per person, including all the main and side dishes.
- Shop Strategically - Avoid food waste before it even hits the kitchen by being mindful about your shopping. A grocery list prevents impulse buys and ensures you get only what you need. Buy seasonal produce as it is more eco-friendly and affordable.
- Get Creative with Leftovers - Leftovers are practically synonymous with Thanksgiving, but there are ways to make them feel just as special as the main meal. Repurpose dishes into soups, sandwiches, or casseroles.
- Compost What You Don’t Use - If you end up with unavoidable waste, composting is a great way to return nutrients to the soil and reduce landfill waste.
- Offer Guests Take-Home Options - Sharing leftovers with guests is a great way to reduce food waste. Have a supply of reusable containers on hand and encourage guests to take a plate home with them or ask guests ahead of time to bring their own reusable storage containers with them.
Reducing food waste is a meaningful way to honor the Thanksgiving spirit of gratitude and sharing. A little planning and creativity can make a big difference, helping you host a celebration that’s as kind to the earth as it is delicious. Share your waste reduction tips with us @ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram.
41 Tons of Material Gets Rejected for Recycling Each Month in Gainesville & Alachua County
Every month, over 41 tons (or 83,000 pounds) of contaminated material ends up at our local recycling center. This includes items that either aren't accepted for recycling in the first place or recyclable items unsuitable for processing. Contamination drives up the cost of processing, as extra time and effort are needed to sort out these materials. Also, contaminants can damage sorting equipment and reduce the overall quality and market value of recyclables.
Here’s how you can help cut down on recycling contamination:
- Take a few moments to quickly review the list of materials accepted for recycling at gainesvillefl.gov/WhatCanBeRecycled.
- Don’t put food-contaminated materials in your recycle bins, such as greasy pizza boxes, donut boxes, or sticky peanut butter jars. Food residue should be rinsed out or removed from all containers before placing them in your recycle bins.
- Place your recyclables in the correct bins. Bottles & Cans go in the blue bin, and Papers go in the orange bin.
- Flatten and empty out all boxes. Foam and other plastic packaging materials are not recyclable.
By following these simple steps, we can reduce contamination and support a more sustainable recycling program for our community.
Learn more at gainesvillefl.gov/ZeroWaste, or follow us on social media – @ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram.
Cartons Dropped from Recycling Program
As the saying goes, there's no use crying over spilled milk. However, in this case, it's the carton that has met its end, not the milk. Food and beverage cartons are no longer accepted in the curbside recycling programs of Gainesville and Alachua County. Cartons are also no longer accepted for recycling drop-off at any of the Alachua County Rural Collection Centers.
Attempts to find domestic markets capable of processing this material have been unsuccessful. Additionally, the volume of cartons collected locally has been insufficient to fill shipments before the containers become moldy, rendering them unsuitable for recycling.
The following are no longer accepted for recycling:
- Gable-top containers, such as milk, juice & egg substitute cartons
- Tetra Pak (shelf-stable) containers, such as protein drinks, broth and boxed wine
- Juice boxes
For information on what materials are accepted for recycling, visit gainesvillefl.gov/WhatCanBeRecycled, and follow @ZeroWasteGNV on Facebook and Instagram.
The Magic of the Zero Waste Wizard
Don’t know what to do with all your extra empty potion jars, broken staffs, and dusty witches’ hats lying around? Simply, visit gainesvillefl.gov/WasteWizard and ask your friendly Zero Waste Wizard to concoct a spell of responsible waste disposal!
The Zero Waste Wizard is the most reliable, up-to-date means for getting locally focused information on recycling, disposal, and reuse. City staff is constantly hitting the books at the School of Wizardry to keep the Zero Waste Wizard current, using information supplied mainly by app users like you.
In addition to answering crucial questions like “Is this recyclable?” a peek into the crystal ball will tell you everything from where to repair items, donate household goods, or find local scrap metal professionals.
While we think the Waste Wizard possesses all the answers, this Sorcerer of Sorting is also humble, so if you ask a question that doesn’t yet have an answer, you can suggest the addition of new items to the database of zero waste knowledge.
When you want to vanquish the dreaded foes of waste, clutter, and junk, the Zero Waste Wizard will cast a spell of all-knowing and all-seeing, giving you the answers you seek. In a world of darkness and uncertainty – “What do I do with all this old stuff?!” – let gainesvillefl.gov/WasteWizard light the way forward!