Plan now for "Moving Missoula Toward Zero Waste" Month

The Sustainable Business Council has just launched a 30-second animated video announcing that April 2015 will be "Moving Missoula Toward Zero Waste Month." The SBC will distribute a 40-page Toward Zero Waste Guide, including maps, articles, infographics, cartoon characters, and a full calendar of events. Businesses and other organizations with waste stories to tell are invited to join the calendar now by offering tours, demonstrations, open houses, and other activities that highlight local waste solutions during the month of April.

The Toward Zero Waste Guide will also highlight problems in need of solutions. "Waste is a bit of a mess in Missoula," according to Jenny Mish, Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Council. "Visitors and new residents are often appalled by the scarcity of recycling options here," she said. "Glass and food waste are particularly challenging. But wherever there is an unmet need, there is also a business opportunity. We plan to increase the visibility of those opportunities, along with solutions that are currently available but underutilized."

National trends in waste reduction are pointing "toward zero waste," which often involves redesigning systems to reduce waste before it is produced. The SBC’s Guide will feature national leaders, such as Sierra Nevada Brewing, which is 99.8% waste-free, and local champions, such as the Good Food Store, which offers reusable plastic clamshell containers for take-out food. "We’re preparing to go all out to tell success stories, identify business opportunities, and clear up confusion with a whole collaborative month dedicated to Moving Missoula Toward Zero Waste," said Mish.

"We selected April in part because it includes Earth Day," Mish explained. A number of organizations offer children’s and other educational activities as part of the Missoula Urban Demonstration Project’s annual Earth Day Celebration at Caras Park. According to Mish, "We’re putting out a clarion call for even more collaboration. We’ve already got Home Resource and the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant offering tours. SBC members such as Energetechs and Heritage Timber are stepping up to host events, and we’re working closely with the Missoula Downtown Association. Many organizations are already planning April activities that could easily become part of the Zero Waste events calendar." Calendar listings are free. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

To sweeten the deal, the SBC will be offering a free webinar on how to organize zero waste events. "It’s not rocket science to produce zero waste event," Mish explained, "but you do have to plan ahead and communicate effectively." The SBC’s webinar will be offered on February 11, in time to plan events for April, and again during Zero Waste Month. "Events don’t have to be waste-free to join the April calendar," said Mish, "but they do need to help our community move toward zero waste. One great way to do that is to reduce waste at an already-scheduled event. We?re here to help."

The SBC’s new video and more information are available at http://www.sustainablebusinesscouncil.org/programs/toward-zero-waste