Zero Waste

Mission

Lead the Sierra Club North Star chapter in our efforts to live more sustainably. Educate the community on ways to refuse, reduce, recycle, and compost effectively, and lobby the legislature to reduce waste and minimize the effect on our natural resources.

What We Do

Our work is to learn how we can live more sustainably, share that knowledge, and advocate for greater change.

• Reduce the use of single-use plastic, packaging, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

• Partner with the Food Solutions Coalition to reduce food waste, encourage a plant-based diet, and support Fair Trade

• Host trash pick-ups in our local communities

• Promote refill and reuse systems

• Monitor agency/local government actions and programs, submitting comments and lobbying legislators

• Educate the community and ask for their involvement

Information on our Current Priorities

Petrochemical companies have invested more than $200 billion in a buildout of their industry in the last 10 years in plastic production and this production is set to triple by 2060. This is unsustainable for our health and the environment. Adopting strong Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for product packaging bill is an opportunity to help change that trajectory.

No matter what your views are on recycling plastic, most people in the US believe we should reduce the amount produced, especially single use plastic. Plastics, from extraction and production to disposal, are an environmental justice issue.

Since 35- 40% of plastic is used for packaging, a well-crafted packaging reduction bill could address a significant contributor to the plastic crisis with the added benefit of addressing waste overall. Join the Zero Waste Task Force in supporting a strong bill to reduce plastic waste.

Get Involved

Join us at our monthly meetings!

Date: 1st Tuesday of the month
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

RSVP and details on the website calendar, meetings always include a video/call-in option. Questions? Contact Lori at lori.olinger@northstar.sierraclub.org or call 612-659-9124.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

2023 MN Legislative Advocacy

Plastic pollution and toxic chemicals, like PFAS, in plastic and other products we use every day threaten our health and the environment. Check out our current campaigns and how you can get involved.

National & Global Advocacy

Global Plastic Treaty: At the United Nations Environment Assembly, 175 countries agreed to adopt a legally binding treaty targeting plastic pollution. The treaty addresses the life cycle of plastic, from extraction through disposal. It’s intended to curb plastic production and is the most important environmental deal since the Paris accord. They’ll spend the next two years negotiating the specifics.

Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021: Introduced in Congress by Sen. Merkley and Rep. Lowenthal, this bill would reduce throwaway plastics, enact producer responsibility, combat false solutions such as incineration, and pause new or expanded plastic production. It’s an important opportunity for Congress to take real action to address the plastic pollution crisis. Contact your representatives.

Resources

• Learn More

• Links to Studies on Potential Harms from Plastic

• Books

• Movies, Documentaries and Presentations

• Ideas to live more sustainably: easy and fun things you can do to reduce your waste and climate impact.

• Freecycle: give your unused items to people who need them. All exchanges are free, with the option for contactless pick-ups.

• What Can I Recycle?

• Food Packaging Forum: information on chemicals in food packaging materials and their impacts on your health.

• Environmental Working Group: make safer and more informed decisions about the products you buy and the companies you support.

• Skin Deep: look up personal care and beauty products to see if they contain potentially toxic chemicals.

• MAMAVATION: product safety investigations.

• EcoWatch: stories for a healthier planet and life.

• Environmental Health News: stay updated on the latest environmental news and science.

Recent Zero Waste Updates