Zero waste and job creation go hand in hand, activists say

The zero waste movement can offer safer, more sustainable jobs in the coming years compared with other jobs in the solid waste sector — but only if communities invest with environmental justice principles, speakers at the recent National Zero Waste Conference said.

Activists and zero waste advocates at the virtual event advocated for more job creation in the reuse, refill, repair and composting sectors, saying such jobs can move communities toward a circular economy and help those residents disproportionately impacted by pollution from incinerators or landfills. 

Before communities can achieve a zero-waste future, however, they . . .