Our MissionÂ
Our broad mission is to empower individuals and communities to enact positive changes by embracing sustainable practices in the pursuit of zero waste as a collective. We foster a zero waste culture that emphasizes creativity, enjoyment, and self-reliance while advocating for essential policy shifts at all levels to sustain this cultural movement. We are proud to be the American sister organization of Canada Reduces and Australia’s BYO Containers.
By zero waste, we abide by the updated definition adopted by the Zero Waste International Alliance board on December 20, 2018: “Zero Waste: the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning or discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.“
Specifically, we support local groups committed to promoting BYO (Bring Your Own) practices, which encompass a broad spectrum of opportunities, including takeout containers, coffee mugs, utensils, napkins and even dry cleaning bags.
As proponents of the BYO or Right to Refill movement in the United States, we champion the causes of community, environmental justice, and civil liberties. We provide ongoing support to local groups, programs, and individuals throughout the country that are launching BYO campaigns.
Acknowledging the United States’ lagging standing among developed nations in supporting BYO practices, our long-term mission is to reshape this outdated policy landscape, often swayed by industry influence. Our goal is to be a catalyst for change by creating a groundswell of support at the local level and actively engaging in policy advocacy to drive revisions to food and sanitary codes at the local, state, and federal levels, enabling the full adoption of BYO practices nationwide.
Alongside promoting BYO, we encourage local groups to explore a variety of collective zero waste initiatives and social events, such as community gardening and composting, sewing and craft events, film screenings, gift economy groups, festival tabling, trash pickups, fix-it clinics, policy advocacy, and more. The possibilities for actions by Waste Reducers are limitless. Our network serves as a foundation of support, empowering grassroots community organizers to navigate challenges, exchange invaluable experiences, stay connected, and thrive on their collective paths toward zero waste and sustainability.
Join us in co-creating a future where waste reduction and sustainability are not just concepts, but a way of life. Together, we can turn possibilities into sustainable realities.