Zero waste starts with something as simple as a reusable mesh-cloth bag used to carry vegetables home from the grocery store.
ItB次元官网网址檚 all part of the B次元官网网址渓ong haulB次元官网网址� humans are in for, said Jill Doucette, executive director of Synergy Sustainability Institute.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking at supporting how to buy things that are made of locally up-cycled material, to foster a zero waste lifestyle, and businesses that contribute to that idea,B次元官网网址� Doucette said.
New Project Zero incubator will support eight entrepreneurial projects to become a part of the zero waste, circular economy that Vancouver Islanders need to do their part by 2040.
B次元官网网址� Saanich B次元官网网址 (@saanichnews)
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Enter, an incubator run by the Synergy Sustainability Institute and supported by VanCity. The new initiative is hoping to spur Vancouver Islanders into living a zero-waste economy.
In a Project Zero vision, Vancouver Islanders share more than they own, freeing income and sparing resources. Products are made and repaired locally, rather than being shipped in, and economic equality is the new norm, where where oneB次元官网网址檚 waste is anotherB次元官网网址檚 resource.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite a transformational shift to look at a circular economy, the supply chains and goods, and what happens with our waste,B次元官网网址� Doucette said. B次元官网网址淥ne of the first steps to building a circular economy is ridding of the single-use plastics, theyB次元官网网址檙e so low grade, theyB次元官网网址檙e hardly worth including in the recycling economy, rather, we need more valuable materials that can be endlessly recycled.B次元官网网址�
Using a mesh bag for a visit to the grocery store, for example, uses a few less single-use plastic bags. Now if that mesh bag can be created here on the Island, even if itB次元官网网址檚 up-cycled from previously created non-sustainable materials, that is step one in the circular economy that Vancouver Island is going to need.
Locally, the Project Zero incubator hopes to capture and support people who have the entrepreneurial resources, spirit and innovation to help further a zero-waste, circular economy, Doucette said.
Entrepreneurs and businesses have until Feb. 22 to submit their proposals. Eight applications will be accepted to receive free training and education over an eight-month period. The training is designed on developing a business plan to a pitch-ready state.
Applications for the Project Zero incubator are rolling in. Beyond the selected businesses, Project ZeroB次元官网网址檚 first step is to engage with partners across Vancouver Island in a round table to share the initiatives with local governments, non profits, and other partners needed to create a circular strategy.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking for new ideas to turn waste into resources, and it starts with impact policy at the top,B次元官网网址� Doucette said.
Look no further than the City of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 zero waste strategy as one example of a local partner with a seat at the Project Zero round table.
Other examples of businesses making moves in an eco-friendly circular directions are U.K. grocery stores with plastic-free sections or the recently released B次元官网网址榳orld dietB次元官网网址� in the Lancet journal prioritizing foods that are healthy and earth friendly.
Here in Victoria are new businesses such as West Coast Refill on Broad Street and the Zero Waste Emporium, both which opened in the last year.
Of course, itB次元官网网址檚 not all about where to shop but also how.
B次元官网网址淥ne challenge weB次元官网网址檝e been promoting is to cut your blue box fill in half,B次元官网网址� Doucette said. B次元官网网址淔or most families its two to three full bins. WeB次元官网网址檙e saying, can you reduce that by a bin each cycle, either through grocery shopping by using refillable or reusable containers and bags, and buying less plastic.B次元官网网址�
