In the Netherlands 8 municipalities bringing together 435.000hab have committed to work towards a Zero Waste goal for 2030.
The Zero Waste strategy started in 2005 triggered by the scarcity of materials, the pressure to reduce CO2 emissions, the will to implement a cradle to cradle approach and the conviction that the priorities are to prevent and recycle waste and looking forward to phase out incineration and landfill.
The hree main objectives of Afval Vrij are:
- Transition from waste to raw material: 10 Kg of waste per resident/year by 2030,
- Recycling must be done nearby,
- Strengthen regional socio-economic structure with particular attention to people with difficulties to enter the labour market.
Since 2005 the region has been succesful in generating a lot less residual waste than the average in the Netherlands. In 2009 they were at 220kg of residual waste whilst the rest of the country was at 281 kg/capita.
For more info (in Dutch): http://www.afvalvrij.nl/