Kick Off the New Year with Zero Waste Academy!
photo by Michael Grimm
Are you looking for a New Year’s Resolution or an inspiring way to start 2023? We are delighted to announce the return of our 3rd annual Zero Waste Academy (ZWA)! This free, 9-session educational series introduces participants to waste management – a topic increasingly becoming one of the most relevant in sustainability– and explores how it fits into our city and our world. ZWA brings together subject matter experts from the NYC Department of Sanitation and the private sector, including organizations like Closed Loop Partners, the Center for Zero Waste Design, and Foodprint Group. These virtual sessions will explore topics like:
the current landscape of waste in NYC, both public and private,
the origins of American “throwaway culture” and an introduction to circular economies,
how architecture and the built environment influence recycling and diversion habits,
and a focused look at food waste, the most significant diversion opportunity in our waste stream
In addition to the core educational sessions, two virtual field trips will allow participants to see recycling in action in New York City: Cooper Recycling (zero waste construction + demolition debris) and Sims Municipal Recycling (one of the largest MRFs in North America). The Academy will culminate with an in-person networking module event on February 17, connecting participants with practical ways to make a difference.
ZWA 2022’s final module + networking event, Getting Involved in Your Community
Since its launch in May 2021, over 450 New Yorkers from all corners of the city– and even a few waste enthusiasts from other states and countries – have graduated from ZWA. The program attracts and is designed to captivate a diverse audience. Participants range from established professionals in the sustainability space looking to learn from other industry experts to residents pursuing green career opportunities. Hear from two of our Zero Waste Academy alums about how the program has impacted them:
Whenever I spin out into a spontaneous speech about sustainability, my love for DSNY, and the exciting secret histories of NYC trash–I always have to back up and explain where it all started. I signed up for the Zero Waste Academy with the single naive goal of wanting to learn how to recycle better. I unexpectedly found myself falling down a rabbit hole into the fascinating interconnected web of consumption, waste management, and the humans committed to keeping our city clean and safe. I felt like the backstage curtain was pulled back on the city agency we so often take for granted. In the pre-workshop questionnaire, I ranked the history of waste management in the city as the module that would bore me to tears, but it quickly became my favorite through the stories shared by Robin Nagle, DSNY’s anthropologist-in-residence. The practical lessons, inspiring initiatives, and incredible people and organizations we had the opportunity to engage with have followed me and supported my career shift into the field of sustainability. The ZWA left me feeling more connected to and responsible for this incredible city we live in, and I always say Thank You to sanitation workers for their indispensable service.
~Deb, ZWA 2022
I was part of the first ZWA last year, and it made such a huge difference in my life...I am so grateful for the Academy, which has led me to many other wonderful opportunities and experiences (the TRUE Advisor certification, the master composter program, and MSWAB). It also led me to a career change and a new job. I am really happy to be working in a place where I can make a positive impact on our environment and hopefully also on NYC's zero waste goals.
Please express my gratitude to everyone who works on putting the ZWA together. You're all doing amazing work!
~ Laura, ZWA 2021
ZWA friend and alum Buddy the Rat
This year’s ZWA starts on January 21 and will culminate with an in-person networking event on February 17. Participation is free, but space is limited, so apply early! Applications are open from December 12 through January 9. Explore the curriculum and apply at: sanitationfoundation.org/zwa
The Zero Waste Academy is made possible with generous support from ConEdison and The Verizon Foundation.
