City Commission proclaims Zero Waste Week in Gainesville

Published on January 23, 2023

City Commission proclaims Zero Waste Week in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2023) – The Gainesville City Commission recognized Zero Waste Week in Gainesville (Jan. 22-29, 2023) with a proclamation at its meeting Thursday, reaffirming its commitment to environmental and sustainable practices.

The City has set a goal to achieve zero waste by 2040 where nothing is wasted, and resources remain in use. Its most recent Solid Waste Ordinances, approved by the commission last June, are designed to reduce the consumption of plastics, increase recycling and improve community aesthetics.

The most recent provision to take effect – on Jan. 1, 2023 – is designed to improve and encourage the collection of recyclable materials at multifamily residential properties. The changes are intended to make recycling at apartment complexes as convenient and accessible to tenants as garbage collection.

Additional zero waste changes become effective later this year, as well as in 2024 and 2025, and aim to divert excess food and food waste out of area landfills through residential and commercial composting and through donation to food banks, soup kitchens and shelters. The first of the provisions, targeting single-use plastics and the release of balloons, plastic glitter and plastic confetti, took effect last September.

Additional information on the City’s Zero Waste initiative can be found at gainesvillefl.gov/ZeroWaste.

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