In these NH communities, you pay for how much trash you send to the landfill

Local governments in France are educating residents about waste reduction and finding ways to incentivize the behavior change necessary to meet the country’s ambitious zero-waste goals. Roubaix, for example, teaches residents simple lifestyle changes that will also save them money. Whereas, Smicval transitioned from door-to-door waste collection to a central collection point where residents drop off trash themselves.

Landfills in the United States are capturing a potent greenhouse gas, methane, that would otherwise be released into the air and converting it to electricity or natural gas.

The Denmark-based startup LastObject manufactures reusable menstrual products that produce less waste than the typical throw-away versions. Its reusable pad is made of polyester and bamboo and can be washed and reused for up to 10 years.

A junk removal service in Athens, Georgia, is slowing the growth of the local landfill by recycling, donating, and giving away the items it can before taking the rest to the landfill.

Philadelphia’s ban on businesses’ use of single-use plastic bags reduced plastic bag use by 94%. The ban also extended to paper bags not made of recycled content.

States across the United States are passing legislation that supports the development of community solar programs. These projects allow community members who can’t install their own solar panels to subscribe to other solar projects nearby, often on farms, schools, or stores. Alongside the property owner, subscribers help fund the project and save money on future electricity bills based on the power generated.

Orange County, California, is increasing the amount of organic waste it diverts from landfills by encouraging residents to put compostable material in the bins they use for yard waste and composting it.

After extreme flooding damaged homes, the energy efficiency utility Efficiency Vermont offered emergency flood rebates to those impacted. Recovery teams helped people plan and find funding to repair and replace energy systems and appliances with more efficient models that will help them reach their decarbonization goals. In this circumstance, exceptions were made to include rebates for high-efficiency fossil fuel systems, too.

The University of Georgia soccer program held a Journey to Zero Waste Soccer Season in which it aimed for every home game to divert at least 90% of its waste from the landfill. The stadium crew set up recycling and composting bins with explanatory signage, and students volunteered to educate attendees about how to properly dispose of their waste.

Ambikapur, India, created a decentralized waste management system that allowed it to become a zero-landfill community while creating local jobs and earning revenue. Waste is collected from households, sorted into recyclable categories and compost, and then purchased by companies that will use it to create new goods.