ZWZ Garners Media Attention

From its February, 2009 launch, the Zero Waste Zones attracted strong national media attention, beginning with the CNN story, City Aims for Zero Waste, that graced CNN.com's homepage during Earth Week 2009.  

Later in 2009, the New York Times ran the front-page story, Nudging Waste From Less to None, featuring ZWZ Champion Steve Simon of Fifth Group Restaurants and Jon Johnston, U.S. EPA Region IV along with a paragraph dedicated to the ZWZ. More recently, Fortune.com featured Holly Elmore, ZWZ director and Elemental Impact founder, in her profile, trash to cash, within the six-part article six green leaders in red states.

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Holly & Lauren @ The River's
recording studio

In perfect timing with the National Restaurant Association's deepened partnership commitment, the local Atlanta media recognizes the program with well-deserved accolades.  In August, Holly and the ZWZ are included in Atlanta Magazine's The  Innovation Index complementing their Groundbreakers lead article. The ZWA Blog post, ZWZ Listed in The Innovation Index, details of the honor and the post, NRA | ZWZ | Ei Partnership - Powerful!, is an overview of the NRA's June visit to meet Atlanta community and civic leaders.

On Sunday, August 12 FM 97.1 The River aired an interview with Holly and Lauren Dufort, Central Atlanta Progress director of sustainability, by host Johnathan Maloney about the ZWZ and the future of sustainability initiatives in the metro Atlanta area. 

Within the interview flow, the topics broke down into three categories:

In the beginning ... - the ZWZ history and its importance to Atlanta along with the platform built for future successful programs.

• development of ZWZ Criteria
• recruiting of Founding Participants
• major immediate national media
• explanation of zero waste definition, including brief discussion on the role of incineration and recycling integrity

Johnathan with Holly &
Lauren at end of the interview

Where we are now ... the ZWZ serves as a launch pad for taking the focus beyond foodservice and zero waste.

• plastic film recycling pilot ready to launch at Concord Mills, a Simon Property Group mall in Charlotte.
• recycling | waste cost centers moving to recycling profit centers
• Kimberly-Clark's search for a consistent #5 plastic post-consumer feedstock for manufacturing of recyclable industrial products
• introduction of Ei's three focus areas: Product Stewardship, Toxin-Free Environments and Zero Waste Initiatives

Where we are going ... beyond zero waste and how CAP & Ei are working with the City of Atlanta to achieve Mayor Kasim Reed's sustainability goals.

• CAP's role within the City of Atlanta's Power to Change campaign
• Atlanta's Better Buildings Challenge participation
• Atlanta Airport serves as the Sustainable Food Court Initiative airport pilot and the groundbreaking contract provision requiring foodservice operators to use compostable packaging.  The ZWA Blog post, Atlanta Airport Makes Bold Sustainable Statement, gives details of the provision.
• Closing remarks about what citizens may do to live a more sustainable life 

Thank you Jill Lerner of Jill Lerner Communications for arranging The River Current interview.

The powerful media accolades validate the importance of zero waste programs and how they are integral to well-balanced sustainability programs.  Intertwined within the various media commentary is collaboration among the government, non-profit and corporate sectors is integral to success.  

Zero waste practices are on the verge of mainstream adoption and the media is taking notice.