International Zero Waste Week 2013

In March 2013, thousands of jurisdictions and businesses world-wide will be celebrating International Zero Waste Week. Would your agency or firm benefit from sponsoring ZWW activities? Would your town or city like to join the festivities? Would you like to save up to 30% by registering early for the Zero Waste Update?

International Zero Waste Week (ZWW) is the brainchild of the Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) and the Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA). Assisted by GrassRoots Recycling Network (GRRN), these groups are now seeking sponsors as well as participants. Sponsors receive recognition on all promotional materials, websites and signage plus registrations. Sponsorships support event expenses, speaker travel, student scholarships and the year-round activities of our groups.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the centerpiece of Zero Waste Week is the Zero Waste Update featuring NCRA’s very popular annual Recycling Update and the Zero Waste International Dialog. Four hundred and fifty professionals, local elected officials, advocates and members of the media will take part in this special two-day event and hundreds more will take tours and participate in the special activities.

Held in Berkeley on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, the Zero Waste Update will provide innovative and practical solutions to reduce waste and move toward high diversion and Zero Waste. International case studies will be highlighted, as well as the work of North American communities and agencies on the cutting edge of sustainable materials management.

Registration is now open on the NCRA website. Visit the ZWW SF BAY Area page for more details. Potential sponsors should visit the Sponsorship page and then send a note to the ZWIA Planning Committee c/o Ruth.Abbe@hdrinc.com or call 707 861-0991.

Zero Waste Week Resolutions
NCRA and ZWIA are encouraging government and industry groups to pass a resolution declaring March 17 – 22 “Zero Waste Week.” The goal is to foster support for, create events in alignment with, and/or encourage the adoption of policies supporting Zero Waste in communities worldwide. Any resolutions or corresponding action will be promoted on the NCRA web site as well as sample resolutions and events and actual events and accomplishments. For additional information about resolutions contact NCRA Vice President Laura McKaughan at lmckaughan@ncrarecycles.org.

EARLY BIRD SPONSORS
Northern California Recycling Association and California Resource Recovery Association
Urban Ore, Inc
StopWaste.Org, San Francisco Department of the Environment, City of Oakland Zero Waste Program, Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District and Marin Sanitary Service

IN-KIND COOPERATING SPONSORS
California Product Stewardship Council and The Northern California/Gold Rush Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)

FRIENDS
Sonoma Compost, Amador Valley Industries and Pleasanton Garbage Service

Background
The Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) is an association of recycling businesses, community groups, municipalities and individuals committed to promoting, expanding, and institutionalizing recycling. For the past 17 years, NCRA has held Recycling Update - a well-regarded annual one-day workshop.

Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) was established to promote positive alternatives to landfills and incinerators and to raise community awareness of the social and economic benefits to be gained in striving for Zero Waste. Since 2002, ZWIA has organized seven Zero Waste International Dialogs to bring Zero Waste community members together from around the world to collaborate and celebrate Zero Waste.

GrassRoots Recycling Network (GRRN)  is the leading voice calling for Zero Waste in North America. A network of recycling and community-based activists, we advocate policies and practices to achieve Zero Waste, to end corporate welfare for waste, and to create sustainable jobs from discards. Since 2009 GRRN has produced three National Zero Waste Action Conferences as well as customized trainings and workshops. This event will serve as GRRN's Conference for this year.