Looking for resources regarding sustainability.

December 17, 2007 10:36 AM

Zero waste is the topic. Turned up zero hits in my AskMeFi search.

What I am in need of is a web 2.1 muti-media blast to present to an audience of more than 2,000.

Our company is looking at sustainability as a major topic for the coming year. The first quarter is my chance to blow them away with resources to dazzle, amuse and convert folks to the idea of zero-waste. Or a Newtonian type of approach to zero waste.

Please do your darndest to help me find the latest, the greatest, most bulletproof and the mostest superlativest resources available that are not of a particular political persuasion and have a serious, reasonable and verifiable economic benefit slant (consumer or corporate), in addition to any tree-hugging feel good appeal.

posted by valentinepig to work & money (8 comments total)

I think Newton said no, you can't have zero waste. Not yours.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:02 AM on December 17, 2007

What industry are you talking about?
posted by beagle at 11:09 AM on December 17, 2007

Consumer Consequences - a little game about how personal energy consumption choices impact the environment. More consumer than corporate.

You may also find some stuff on the Redefining Progress website.
posted by thirteenkiller at 11:12 AM on December 17, 2007

Is Cradle to Cradle design the sort of thing you're thinking of?
posted by TheNewWazoo at 11:55 AM on December 17, 2007

You might look at Milliken. They have, I believe, a pretty vigorous corporate sustainability policy, and claim to have achieved "zero waste to landfill." At least, that's the PR that I've heard. I believe the CEO does lecture circuits and whatnot, pimping zero waste as an aspect of enlightened capitalism.
posted by mumkin at 12:03 PM on December 17, 2007

Second EastManitoba, 'zero waste' is a phrase that undercuts the sense of objectivity you're trying to present.

'Old school' on this includes Bucky Fuller's World Game. I'm not sure of the current iteration, but Bucky was putting numbers to this a half-century ago, and was a great inspirer.
posted by dragonsi55 at 1:09 PM on December 17, 2007

Waste (as in garbage/refuse) is responsible for about 3.6% of worldwide greenhouse gases--apparently it outgasses methane and nitrous oxide, which are greenhouse gases. So that's certainly not the only reason to be interested in reducing waste--but it may be another one to throw in the mix.

The charts showing all greenhouse gas sources are worth having a look at. FWIW, 27% of greenhouse gases in the U.S. comes from transportation and 32% from electricity & heat. Those compare with world figures of 14% from transportation and 25% from electricity/heat.

Just on the off chance you're interested in reducing "transportation waste" and "building heating/cooling/electricity waste" as well, you might look at these:

* Commuting alternatives, professional association
* U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification
posted by flug at 1:14 PM on December 17, 2007

Try the Rocky Mountain Institute in general, and Natural Capitalism in particular.
posted by flabdablet at 5:30 PM on December 17, 2007