When I began working on waste policy, I quickly realized that enacting new waste management laws and ordinances is pivotal to a Zero Waste future. Existing laws are a problem because they prop up and perpetuate our polluting waste systems. Working within the confines of these laws doesn’t offer much progress. The solution? To pass new and innovative laws that don’t treat waste as inevitable or communities as expendable.
But passing new laws or local ordinances that truly prioritize people and the planet over polluting waste systems and corporate profit is easier said than done. In many ways, the odds are stacked against us. So, starting from the strongest possible position is important – this is where model legislation comes into play.
Zero Waste model legislation is a powerful tool for solving the complex and messy problems associated with our take-make-waste society. But real solutions don’t come in a one-size-fits-all package. The communities we work with at Just Zero each face different realities. A rural town working to address food waste looks very different than a big city struggling with the same problem. Yet for years, stretched thin environmental organizations could only offer communities static model bills that were helpful in theory, but rarely usable in practice.
That’s why we decided to build something better: Interactive, customizable toolkits that empower communities to craft Zero Waste legislation that meets their specific needs. Our toolkits take the best, most effective policies we know, and turn them into interactive resources that can be shaped to meet real-world scenarios.
Over the years, I’ve talked to countless legislators, advocates, and organizers in states across the country who are trying to move their communities toward a Zero Waste future. These folks know what they want to fix, and they know which tactics and solutions do and don’t work. But usually, the only resource they have to get the ball rolling is an unchangeable bill – something reflecting a law passed in one of the country’s largest cities or states. More often than not, that bill doesn’t account for their own town’s politics, infrastructure, or priorities.
These advocates are doing important and hard work. They need more than a copy-and-paste solution. They need tools to build a policy that meets them where their community is at.
Enjoying this story?
Read more from the Just Zero team! Our experts share their personal experiences, break down complex systems, interview other Zero Waste advocates, and provide updates on key issues. Explore more.
That’s the idea behind Just Zero’s model legislative toolkits. Our toolkits reflect the country’s best, most effective Zero Waste policies that have proven to reduce waste, phase-out polluting waste systems, and increase real reuse, recycling, and composting programs. But instead of handing over a static policy, we provide a choose-your-own adventure approach.
In each toolkit, we explain not only what a policy does and why it’s important, but also the different choices you can make to customize your proposal so that it reflects your community’s unique needs. We provide a section-by-section breakdown of each Zero Waste solution. And we highlight examples of communities that have taken different approaches to show how each policy works. These adaptable frameworks can achieve real and lasting progress while addressing the various situations communities across the country face.
Something I’ve come to understand deeply is that the people closest to the problem are also closest to the solution. You know your community best. You understand the political climate, the timelines, the trade-offs, and the potential allies and roadblocks. Our job is to support you, not to dictate what your policy should look like.
What makes our approach different is that it’s not about writing the perfect bill in a vacuum. It’s about helping advocates get a head start on the path toward meaningful, lasting change.
The waste crisis is big. But so is the opportunity to solve it. If there’s one thing I know for certain from my years of policy work is this: Change starts locally – community by community, bill by bill, ordinance by ordinance.
At Just Zero, we’re proud to support that work with policy tools that are smart, flexible, and rooted in real-world success. Our model legislative toolkits are designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
If you’re ready to take action and want a policy approach that’s tailored to your community’s needs, we’re here to help. Explore the toolkits and start building your own Zero Waste solution today.