Zero Trash: Global Action Day Against Trash Burning

30 Septiembre 2011

Today Chile joined countries across the world to celebrate the “day of action against trash burning.”

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Today Chile joined countries across the world to celebrate the “day of action against trash burning.” In the spirit of going green, one group wants to accomplish what may seem like mission impossible: to reuse or recycle 100 percent of its waste.

The Action for Environmental Rights (RADA), hosts of the ten-year-old event spread the word across the city center this afternoon to champion a “zero waste” policy. RADA first proposed this idea on September 20 at the City Council of Temuco.

This goal would take some serious teamwork. Residents have to cut back their consumption habits and how they toss their trash; companies have to go back to the drawing table on more environmentally friendly product design; the city council has to get on board.

It might look like a pie in the sky, but Alejandra Parra, a representative from RADA, said, “The “zero waste” ordinance has been adopted by several cities around the world. Among those, there are the Argentine cities of Buenos Aires, Bahía Blanca and Rosario. In each of these cities the people drove the effort.

The ordinance in Telemuco calls upon recylcers, those who pick trash for recyclable items as a living, to be part of the solution. It also outlines a plan to wean the city off of waste production, which includes educating people and companies on better product design and proper waste management. The plan also strictly forbids burning trash in any form, which would also minimize pollution.

The Global Alliance for Incineration Alternatives (GAIA), who organize Global Action Day, ask each country to focus on the harms of burning garbage and landfill allowances that might have the unintended consequence of encouraging less sustainable options.

Moreover, they are working on creating climate funds that exclude polluting technologies and reduce the number of incinerators and landfills.

 

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