ABOUT US

Near Zero Waste

The CAC became aware of this practice of Zero Waste through our introduction to Permaculture. We learned that in the natural world, nothing is ever wasted. Everything can be reused, recycled and converted to new substances. Zero waste takes us beyond recycling to form a circular system where as much waste as possible is reused, similar to the way nature works. The best example is found in zero waste agriculture where households make optimal use of nature in the form of plants, animals, bacteria, fungi and algae. These produce biodiverse-food, energy and nutrients in a synergistic integrated cycle of profit making processes. The waste of each process becomes the feedstock for another process.

How can we, as human beings, examine and model our own practices after this brilliant natural system? For example, how can we “think like a tree” or like fungi in every aspect of our growth and development, usage and recycling of our resources? As Paul Hawken, environmentalist, entrepreneur and journalist said, "Waste is too expensive; it’s cheaper to do the right things."

While we realize that zero waste is a near impossible goal to achieve, with humility we want to begin to make our aim “near zero waste”. We see this as a reasonable spiritual practice. There is a concept from the classic spiritual wisdom used widely in the addiction/recovery circles, called a “spirituality of imperfection”. Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham write: "Spirituality begins with the acceptance that our fractured being, our imperfection, simply is." Richard Rohr, O.F.M. expands on this in his CD , The Little Way A Spirituality of Imperfection.

As a community, we realize that our actions must come from contemplative discernment and reverence, but actions must also be balanced with practical realities. We seek to gracefully hold both of these aspects in tension.

What we are doing

• Setting a goal of “near zero waste” in our CAC departments and working life together
• Seeking to create “near zero waste” criteria and measurable goals for staff/board/interns and volunteers
• Working towards formalizing ”green” guidelines in our bylaws, employee handbook and CAC Board constitution
• Educating our cyber space community by keeping an updated website on sustainability and our journey towards “near zero waste”

What you can do

• Begin to educate yourself on zero waste concepts
• Find simple ways to reduce and reuse and return your waste in a biodegradable form

Resource Links:
Zero Waste