FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEDONA, AZ JOINS ENVIRONMENTAL CITIES WORLDWIDE
First City in Arizona to Adopt a Zero Waste Resolution
November 12, 2008 Sedona AZ. This week at their regular
City Council meeting Sedona AZ?s City Council unanimously approved a Zero
Waste Resolution. Sierra Club Sedona-Verde Valley?s chairperson and
member of the Sierra Club?s national Zero Waste Committee, Marlene Rayner
presented the principles and benefits accruing from participating in a
Zero Waste program (see
www.arizona.sierraclub.org for details).
With its passage of the Resolution, Sedona becomes the first City in
Arizona to demonstrate its willingness to face the future squarely, it
joins over 200 other proactive destinations (cities, counties, and even
New Zealand). A progressive environmental declaration such as this, by
the City Council proclaims that Sedona, one of the most beautiful places
in the world, is concerned with the environment of the future, economic
growth today, global warming, and preservation of its natural
resources.
Sedona has recognized and now acted upon the two measures any city can do
immediately to reduce their direct impact on global warming; removal of
the sales tax on renewable energy and adoption of Zero Waste Principles.
It is currently estimated that during the next 10 to 20 years the world
will reach the threshold for global warming ? caused mostly by human
produced greenhouse gases (10% from landfills; 38% from provision of
products and materials). Therefore, any measures we can implement today
to diminish warming helps to delay this crisis. Once the world
reaches this limit, the now sequestered methane in the permafrost near
both of the poles and deep in the oceans will be released into the
world?s atmosphere.
Zero Waste Principles teach us to perceive waste as a resource, having
value that can also save us money. The principles include: Reduce
(or Refuse to buy); Redesign (to make products more recyclable);
Repair (fix, especially redesigned products); Reuse
(durable vs. single use products); Recycle; and Regulate
(if needed to make producers responsible for safe disposal of their
products). These principles significantly reduce energy use, resource
use, and greenhouse gas production. Businesses such as, Toyota,
Apple Computer, Epson, Ricoh, Xerox, and Fetzer Vineyards are leading the
way in attaining zero waste because of its economic benefits!
Zero Waste can fund and improve local economic development with new,
green businesses and associated jobs, as well as create new college
curriculums. Utilizing Zero Waste principles reduces the amount of waste
products formerly sent to landfills or slated for incineration ?
both significant contributors to pollution.
Sierra Club Sedona-Verde Valley Group and the City of Sedona look forward
to fostering a successful Zero Waste program locally and one that
encourages other Arizona cities to join in similar efforts.
For more information, contact:
Sedona-Verde Valley Group, Sierra Club
70 Whitetail Lane, Sedona AZ 86336
Website:
http://www.arizona.sierraclub.org
Contact Email:
marlene.rayner@sierraclub.org
Phone: 928-203-0340