The misconception that waste is inevitable and that it just “has to go somewhere” traps policy makers into thinking they must choose between burying or burning trash. This false dilemma prevents them from implementing real Zero Waste solutions. Because if our legislators think waste is inevitable, then they can’t envision a world without it, much less pass the laws to get us there. But real Zero Waste solutions do exist, and they’re right at our fingertips. This presentation will cover the types of policies that can help us move beyond the false choice between burying and burning waste, and how Just Zero works with communities and lawmakers to help implement real solutions to our waste crisis.

Kevin Budris is the Deputy Director at Just Zero. Prior to Just Zero, Kevin was a Senior Attorney in the Zero Waste Program at Conservation Law Foundation. He previously worked as a Staff Attorney at the National Environmental Law Center, where he brought citizen enforcement lawsuits against polluting landfills and incinerators. Kevin is one of the premier Zero Waste experts in the country and has a deep understanding of environmental policy and litigation. He is adept at working with communities, advocates, coalitions, and lawmakers to oppose false solutions and polluting waste facilities and instead pursue strong legislation that protects public health and the environment. He has written and presented extensively about the benefits of empowering communities through Zero Waste policy solutions such as bottle bills, food waste diversion, single-use plastic bans, and more. Kevin is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School and Harvard University, and he lives in Providence, Rhode Island.