Cities of the world are scrambling to step up their game in the battle against climate change.
Last week, 8 American cities joined 15 others around the globe in signing a pledge to slash the amount of trash generated within their borders.
The pledge, called the "Advancing Towards Zero Waste Declaration," aims to dramatically raise the landfill "diversion rate" to 70 percent by 2030, thereby reducing trash volumes by 87 million tons.
The declaration is an initiative of C40 Cities, an association of municipalities around the globe seeking to lead the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. The declaration was strategically announced in advance of the Global Action Climate Summit held in San Francisco on September 12-14. The mayors of cities who signed the declaration are attending the event.
Well before the declaration was signed, the problem of expanding waste volumes had become a serious issue, and some cities had implemented measures to achieve zero waste goals.
Planet Aid plays an active role in three of the cities that signed the declaration: Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Newburyport, Massachusetts.
"With these new commitments, we are advancing DC values and doubling down on our efforts to build a zero-waste future."
—Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser
"Philadelphia is proud to set an ambitious but achievable goal of becoming a Zero Waste city by 2035. Meeting this goal will not only cut carbon emissions and other pollutants, but will help reduce the waste entering landfills, combat litter, and enhance the cleanliness of streets and public spaces."
—Jim Kenney, Mayor of Philadelphia
"Newburyport is proud to join cities and mayors across the globe to address the critical need to reduce and advance our work towards zero waste. We have been working diligently with broad community partnerships to educate residents and incrementally achieve significant reductions."
—Mayor of Newburyport, Mass, Donna D. Holaday
Planet Aid is proud to be part of the effort to reduce climate impacts. Our bright yellow bins are located in convenient locations across these cities, serving to help increase landfill diversion rates. Our network of bins help to redirect the flow of unwanted clothing, shoes, and other textiles away from the trash bin and the landfill, and toward reuse and a second life where they will be valued anew.
Contact us today to find out how you can host a bin at your location.
