In today's world a large amount of virgin materials (trees, ores, fossil fuels, etc.) is used to create products and provide services. This system also generates a large amount of materials in the form of waste, which then goes to landfills or incinerators. Zero Waste suggests that we re-think our basic acceptance of waste as a normal course of events.

Zero Waste is not only about recycling and diverting waste from landfills and incinerators. It is about re-designing the way we do business to prevent waste from the outset. Zero Waste recognizes that environmental sustainability along with social and economic well being is the new planning approach for the 21st century.