Author: Bonnie Betts

Call to Action Right to Repair in CA, 4/22

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Guests: Jenn Engstrom and Elizabeth Chamberlain

Recycling Pioneer: Warren Snow

Right to Repair is a movement that seeks to empower consumers with the ability to fix products themselves. It stands in opposition to the prevailing ‘design-for-landfill’ zeitgeist that makes repairing your own technology next to impossible. The ZWAC delves into the past, present, and future of this movement in California and illustrates how essential it is to the success of recycling. 

The committee interviews Jenn Engstrom, State Director of CALPIRG, and Elizabeth Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability for iFixit to introduce us to fascinating perspectives on the Right to Repair. 

The Recycling Archives featured the person most responsible for the first country-wide commitment to Zero Waste, New Zealand’s Warren Snow.

Contact NCRA to learn more about ZWAC and get involved https://ncrarecycles.org/about/contact/

NCRA Superheroes Stories, 3/22

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In this episode, the committee highlights five of the most important stories in NCRA’s history, ahead of the upcoming in person Recycling Update (the first in over 3 years). The dramatic tales of courtroom battles, stopping landfill expansion, saving recycling itself. Joining in the telling of the stories were former NCRA Board members David Tam and Steve Lautze.

The Recycling Archives featured long time NCRA Board Member Kathy Evans of Community Conservation Centers and the Berkeley Ecology Center.

Contact NCRA to learn more about ZWAC and get involved https://ncrarecycles.org/about/contact/

Is It Greenwashing? Sana Packaging, 1/22

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Guests: Ron Basak-Smith

Recycling Pioneer: Mary Lou Van Deventer

Greenwashing is a controversial term used to describe firms that seek the benefits of “eco-friendly” marketing without truly engaging with efforts to make the world economy more sustainable. In this episode of the ZWAC show, committee members interview Ron Basak-Smith of Sana Packaging, who make ostensibly environmentally friendly packaging for Cannabis products in California. The unique requirements of this packaging make a recycled and sustainable solution difficult, but Sana claims that using recycled floating ocean plastic, they can significantly improve the sustainability of the industry. This fascinating interview features tough questions from knowledgeable advocates in a truly special field of environmentalism. 

 

As an ardent advocate against greenwashing, the Recycling Archives featured Mary Lou Van Deventer of Urban Ore, Inc.

 

Contact NCRA to learn more about ZWAC and get involved https://ncrarecycles.org/about/contact/

2022 CA Legislative Outlook, 11/21

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For the past 9 months, ZWAC has presented monthly shows combining panel discussions and interviews on hot topics with readings from the oral history of pioneering recyclers. 11/9 is a regular committee meeting where committee members (everyone invited) can talk about things they would like to see advocated for in 2022, when a Recology-drafted state initiative against single-use plastic will be on the ballot. Other topics include the new federal infrastructure bill, CA bottle bill, promoting compost and soil health initiatives, developing Zero Waste entrepreneurship through local economic development support from government, including development of eco-parks like AA02 in Oakland. Speakers lined up for the December and January shows are about recycling products with environmental problems and the promise of mycoremediation. This Show’s Recycling Archives segment will be in memoriam to the late Will Bakx, composting pioneer who passed away over the weekend. We are joined by special guest Ruth Abbe to honor Will and talk about what looks cool for 2022.

Contact NCRA to learn more about ZWAC and get involved https://ncrarecycles.org/about/contact/

Political Advocacy Beyond Zero Waste Ft. Cynthia Chandler, 8/21

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While we often discuss zero waste advocacy, it is not the only advocacy that is hard and that needs long term planning and perseverance. I am thrilled that our August 10, 2021, ZWAC show will feature Cynthia Chandler who has succeeded in their advocacy of really important things. Attorney Cynthia Chandler, who is featured in the just-released documentary Belly of the Beast (https://www.bellyofthebeastfilm.com/) and will discuss about her fight against Ca law and policy that began with Nazi-era eugenics that lead to our state prisons sterilizing women, mostly women of color, without their consent.

Contact NCRA to learn more about ZWAC and get involved https://ncrarecycles.org/about/contact/