About Toward Zero Waste
Why “Toward” Zero Waste?
Our Mission: Toward Zero Waste is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting waste-conscious living in North Carolina through inspiration, education, and action.
Our Vision: Change can be hard! Toward Zero Waste North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that envisions a state free of unnecessary waste, where individuals, families, businesses, and local governments are mindful of the resources they use, the waste they create, and emissions they produce; where reuse, refill, repair, composting, renewable energy, and zeroing emissions are the norm. We see a North Carolina where Zero Waste is no longer a concept, but the culture of our community!
How did the Toward Zero Waste organization come about?
TZW was created by Leigh Williams and Dargan Gilmore, in an effort to bring the idea of a zero waste lifestyle to their local communities. In the words of Leigh,
….we decided to join forces, and Toward Zero Waste was born with the idea that, one day, moving “toward zero waste” wouldn’t be such a foreign concept in my town, or yours! We want to help folks ease into a zero waste lifestyle and feel good about the changes they are making. We want to help people move TOWARD Zero Waste and enjoy the process. No guilt. Low stress. Just simple lifestyle changes, habits built over time, that matter.
Over the last few years, we’ve taught Zero Waste classes, partnered with other groups to bring events such as free movie screenings, built a vibrant online community, and organized many Meetup events where we’ve explored everything from our local landfill to learning how to make our own zero waste gifts. In January of 2020 we officially became a non profit!
If you are interested in learning about moving toward zero waste, we’d love to have you join us!
“refuse what you do not need; reduce what you do need; reuse what you consume; recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse; and rot (compost) the rest.”
