VIP Fighting CA’s Last MSW Incinerator, 10/8

 

Watch the recording here.

Get ready for an exciting conversation tonight at 5:30 PM via Zoom, the ZWAC Show will host a special interview with Bianca Lopez, Co-founder and Project Director of Valley Improvement Projects (VIP).⁠

Breaking news today that Reworld is set to close California’s last MSW incinerator! Bianca has been working tirelessly in Stanislaus County to educate the public and advocate for the facility’s shutdown. You may recognize Bianca from her feature in the Story of Stuff Project’s powerful mini-documentary “Burning Injustice,” which highlights the fight against one of California’s last trash incinerators, the Covanta Stanislaus facility.⁠

VIP is a standout Social & Environmental Justice nonprofit based in Modesto, advocating to improve the lives of underrepresented and marginalized communities in the Central Valley. Residents of this region face the daily harms of industrial agriculture, trash incineration, and ongoing threats of landfill expansions and oil drilling—all of which pose serious health risks and pollution to air and water.⁠ VIP is driving change through bold partnerships and grassroots advocacy. A major victory to add is CA’s last MSW Incinerator to close on December 2, 2024. Coupled with the recent passage of AB 1864, which enforces stricter pesticide regulations near schools, thanks to local watchdog efforts.⁠

Don’t miss this chance to hear from Bianca about these important wins and the inspiring fight for social and environmental justice in the Central Valley.

Urban Ore Reusable Business Model, 8/13

Tonight’s show will be a little different, as our regular ZWAC Show host, John Moore, is away this month.

We’re thrilled to welcome the bright and inquisitive Susan Kinsella, Executive Director of Recycling Archives, who will be stepping in to interview the owners of the renowned Berkeley salvage and reuse retail store, Urban Ore. Since its founding in 1980, Urban Ore has consistently diverted nearly 8,000 tons of landfill-bound material annually for reuse! This exemplary business truly values people, profit, and the planet.

Dr. Daniel Knapp and Mary Lou Van Deventer will discuss Urban Ore‘s operations and share stories from the past that have contributed to its success.

They will also explore how and why their model can be replicated across the U.S.
We hope you can join us tonight, or stay tuned for the recording to be published on our YouTube Channel in the following weeks.

The recording is found here 👉 []

Atrium 916 Inspiring the next generation, 7/9

Do you love art? Are you passionate about building a circular economy?

Let’s talk about how these two worlds collide at our next ZWAC Show featuring Atrium 916 Founder & Executive Director Shira Lane! ⁠

Atrium 916 is a Creative Innovation Center for Sustainability, engineering solutions that build a kind, creative, and sustainable future for all beings.

The Atrium, through community-driven ideas, builds systems and provides support for the formulation of new mission-driven, eco-friendly products, and services that drive a sustainable creative circular economy.

The Recycling Archives reading with Executive Director, Susan Kinsella will share the Impact of Art on the History of Recycling.

ZWAC Show Program:

5:00 PM – Social Hour
5:30 PM – Interview with Shira Lane
6:00 PM – Recycling Archives Reading

The recording is found here 👉 []

Global Producer Responsibility For Plastic Pollution, 5/24

A recent global study published in Science Advances revealed the world’s biggest known plastic polluters. Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé and Danone came in at the top of a global audit of plastic waste.

We will talk with co-author Win Cowger, Research Director at the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research of Southern California. Join the conversation happening tomorrow! It helps our channel thrive if you hit the like button and share each video that you’ve watched. Please subscribe to our channel!

The recording is found here 👉 []