How Gen-Z Is Turning Into The Zero Waste Generation

<p>“Code Red" -- that's the alarming state of our planet's health, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/un-sounds-clarion-call-over-irreversible-climate-impacts-by-humans-2021-08-09/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">according to a United Nations</a> climate change report, published this month. Our catchy slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” doesn’t hold-up to such dire news. And it’s recently become clear that recycling is a glaringly broken system in our country. Only 8 percent of plastic waste gets recycled in the United States, according to <a href="https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials#NationalPicture" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2017 EPA report</a>. <br> <br> So, what are we to do? Maybe it’s time to start practicing ‘reducing’ and ‘reusing’ instead of ‘recycling’? If anyone’s going to, it’ll be Gen-Zers, whose generation could come to become known as Gen-ZeroWaste, since so many are adopting zero waste practices.<br> <br> From viral zero-waste themed TikToks to internet-famous zero-waste bloggers, millennials and Gen-Zers are popularizing the waste-free lifestyle movement. And local efforts here in Massachusetts are leading the way. <br> <br> <strong>Guests:</strong><br> <br> Maria Vasco, founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.uvidashop.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Uvida</a>, Boston’s first zero-waste store.<br> <br> Simon Metcalf, a member of the <a href="https://m.facebook.com/SunriseBoston/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sunrise Boston</a> hub and a high school teacher.<br> <br> Hayley Gambone, account manager at <a href="http://www.divertinc.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Divert</a>, a Concord-based company working to eliminate waste from the retail industry. Hayley is also a former Boston University Zero Waste intern, who was part of the university’s <a href="https://www.bu.edu/sustainability/projects/zero-waste-plan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zero Waste Task Force.</a> </p>