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GRASSROOTS RECYCLING NETWORK
Retreat - Oct 6-9, 2000 - Group Report

Sunday Eve. - Monday Morning
ZW Trust Brainstorm

Raw Notes from Flip-charts
(Gary Liss will Summarize these notes)
Pg.1

Outcome:

1. Zero Waste Trust : Yes or No

2. If yes, ID outline how to pursue
	
-keep ideas/ components to write up afterwards by committee-tomorrow-how to 	
move forward

Question- How to get 10 model local governments committed to Zero Waste in meaningful way
-grants
-	elected official engaged
-	Different Needs
	Rural
	Urban
	California


Pg.2

Zero Waste Trust Different than GRRN?  What?

	ID Need, Goals
	If local government focus, GRRN does not want to lead
	GRRN open to other instate

Susan- Get lot of Buy in on board level
	Local government signs policy committing to zero waste and ID what they'll do
	Develop model programs
	Things needing funded come to Zero Waste Trust for money

Linda- Creating an intermediary better funders and needs
	Similar to what MFF does
	Need clean vision of what role is
Pg.3
	Once ID needs, need to sell funders
	Add value to $ by offering tech. Assistance
	6 model communities
		by application, like RMDZ in CA
		use $ to fund programs, plan
		use as domino to get other communities
	potential foundation $
		can't give to govt.
Robert - leverage small resource, poor local govts. To make ZW commitment
GLB - fund activities with $ today
	Things not currently funded
S.R., EPR, waste prevention, contract language change, govt mechanism, Eco parks - state and fed EPA $
	Incentives
		EPR, climate change, market development - direction(?) to foundations

Pg.4

[small govt], TA, small grants
	max. $25k, 6-10 communities, 10-20 businesses & consultants, 10-20 non-profits, 2-3- state govts.
	To help them get over the humps

Ann- Create entity to push people to develop advocacy in Center.
	-ZW Trust
 		provide data & tech. Assistance
		tech. Resource
		people who cover different regions
		challenge grants to communities

Ed -  	local govt.
	Need clear mission
	Need to look at bigger picture
	Local govt.
	Businesses
	Advocates

Ann M.- Trust to support projects
	Way to grow concept of ZW
	Projects will be good & successful & models for others

Bill - 	local govt. is appropriate focus because they have legal responsibility for waste.
	Trust could focus on them and on EPR

Pg. 5

Tedd - 	coherence & vision of what ZW is
	Ability to coordinate national network of activities
	Local govt is only part of the puzzle
	Need to demo vision of ZW with practical examples

Confusing Issues This Afternoon
1)	what is ZW Trust to be about?
2)	Relationship to GRRN or not, could have life of own, might be inconsistent with GRRN

Bill - 	makes sense to be separate from GRRN
	It's not just about $ -- about giving substance to zero waste concept.

Pg.6.

Linda -	need coherent national vision

Coy - 	when thinking of other policy advocacy, don't always mix
	Can't see Trust coming out of GRRN
		GRRN is more activist
		Trust -	provide info. , assistance
			$ to tech. Assistance for organization pushing same issue


Warren - ZW NZ Trust only for
	Not against anyone
	But brought out Paul Connett & stopped incineration
	ZW Trust could fund GRRN
	Grant maker

Coy - good guy/ bad guy

Warren - we're experts in social change & ZW tech. Assistance

Ann - 	confusion?  ZW Trust with Canada & Mexico
	ZW North America
	NZ could turn around $ quickly
	Like it giving grants and tech. Assistance
	GRC wanted to spread its results around
	Hate to limit only to 20 communities

Emily - GRRN has been rabble rouser
	Provide tech. assistance
	Push more progressive agenda than NRC

Pg. 7.

	Confusion is about raising $ to give to local govts.
	Need Think Tank mechanism
		Businesses need help to get off the ground

Peter Anderson -	Trust is misnomer
	$1.75 billion is comparable need to NZ Trust
need paradigm shift
need an Amory Loving of waste
waste has become as unacceptable as smoking
	agree with Galy(?) for $ 25k grants
	get $100 tip fee like Norway

Tedd -	we see whole picture
	Could open doors
		Outreach to design schools for architects
		Outreach to planners
	Push the unusual
	$ to structure existing RMOZ{?} loans can structures more effectively
	
Pg.8.

Redirecting existing loans
Redirecting existing programs
Landfill liability studies - e.g. Alameda
Landfill study for safety.  Push idea of landfill surplus changes, landfill bans.
Simplicity Circles,
Counter consumption campaign
Train the trainer programs.
Fund new agencies or groups that haven't been funded before

Pg. 9

Hire economists
$ new resources, lawyers - show them how to go forward
internal agency or local non-profits for social change

Emily -Heard GLB
	Fund monitoring regulatory agencies how $ are misspent & document data
	Agency patrolled
	Entrepreneurial funds - redirect funds to be more targeted
	Position paper to get more # (e.g. landfill surcharge)
	Landfill bans
	Landfill surcharges

Ed-	general support for concept of Trust
	Not agreement on what to do & why different then GRRN
	Do white paper on options

Pg. 10

Coy - 	Consensus Trust could produce positive results
	Maybe another direction? Or 5 year plan
	Straw vote
	Continue researching ideas further for ZW Trust
		Tomorrow morning

Dave -	service void - what is no one doing
	Like separate from GRRN
	Like gonzo actions & way more


Those not here tomorrow, comments on:
a)	what Trust should look like
b)	relationship to GRRN
c)	Forget Trust concept & go another way - e.g. think tank


Emily - uncomfortable with Trust
	Unless to get federal $
	Don't think $ exists in foundations
	Lot of energy here
	Model like BEAR
	Think tank for this - that can lay down & map out, in case we decide to proceed
		What needs to be done to achieve ZW
	GRRN doesn't have to lead

Pg. 11

Peter Anderson -	need more than think tank
	Need someone to promote and popularize
Would cost at least $1million
Not more $ for more loans

Tedd - good to have GRRN & Trust separate
	Need coherent vision
	ZW, end subsidies, jobs not waste, precaution principle
	Push entities in new directions like EPR (e.g. HHW, high costs & no $)
Costs of plastics absorbed by local govt.
Think tank does have merit, don't know how to fund it
Need criteria, targets and outcome
What are you leveraging?
Way to expand networks to those we don't normally contact
	Social service agencies who know value of bottle bill
	Over consumption, bankruptcy & living simply
Why so good for so many
Administration important, but more a coherent vision

Pg. 12

Dave - 	network with others (e.g. unions)

Susan-	1st instinct - astonished @ vision, passion
	Biting off a lot
	Projects already focused
	Intermediary stage?  Value
		Focus on innovative projects that capture imagination & can be replicated
	Separate from GRRN

Ann S. - should be separate from GRRN
	Think tank - could be tech. resource
	Could call it another name (trust?)
	Need research 
	Work media - get GRRN help (& maybe NRC help)

Anne M. - should be separate
	Think tank could provide T. A. or could be GRRN
		Fact sheets
	Relevance of local govts.
	Landfill bans done already a lot
ZW will create many materials so we need to help small businesses too on entrepreneurial needs

Pg. 13

	Need to take ownership of concept

Warren - 
(1) is ZW going to be the next big thing?
	Does world need ZW?
		Do we have crisis of resources?
		Will someone else do it ? (SWANA, haulers)
	(2) If it is, does it need agency to hold, project vision, & coordinate?
		Demand for service & resources
		Beyond demand
		Question of leadership & saying this is the vision - a designed industrial system

Anne M. - Taking ZW agenda
	OEA includes incineration as part of ZW
	Want to be there first and claim turf
	Be clear what it's not

Pg. 14

Bill -	Peter said we need paradigm shift first
	See Trust as an organizing campaign to make that shift; 
Change decision-makers; Group with greatest leverage is local elected officials.
They are the ones who can implement $100 tipping fee & help entrepreneurs to out compete polluters
Popularizing is what GRRN is good at, not the function of a Trust.

Peter - No
	Max = $350 k

Bill - 	think we could raise $2-3 million for this

Pg. 15

Emily - Most cities in CA waited till last minute (outside Bay area)
	Industry & govt. always say NO alternative

Linda - Some in room are not as supportive as local govt.

Eric - 	Don't think GRRN can be think tank
	Credibility in data analysis & not advocate
	Think tanks do hard nose analysis

Dave - 	Trust means very different in NZ = nonprofit
	Bill wants lobbying organization

Warren - Grant makers called "trust" for non profits they funnel $ to, as well as used more generically by others.

Ann -	Action item as GRC
	ZW Institute formed by Steve Suess
	Papers in silicon valley about $ to charities & do some research on funding this & hooks{?}

Pg. 16

Coy -	Separate GRRN & Trust
	Don't believe GRRN activities match with Trust
	Harder to raise $ for Trust inside GRRN
	Really like idea of think tank
		Could bring level of credibility to issues
		Whether in or outside ZW Trust - open
	Not as easy to raise $ for trust from foundations as people think

Warren & Coy - talking about angles
	State and federal $ may be available for trust & think tank or material policy issues
	Trust - used way to push ZW agenda, different than GRRN
	Trust/GRRN meet 2X/year to coordinate & compliment

Pg. 17

Coy - 	Need change of attitude
		Public officials
		DPW
	Keep materials out of landfills rather than ID where next landfill should be	
	Will be harder here than NZ
	Local recycling experts said 25% max locally & now we're asking them to say they made a mistake
	Different than where NZ was - no recycling goal on books in NZ when started

Anne M. - Statewide have confs.
	Lot didn't but into 25%, though it could be more
	Don't see locals trying to cover their asses
	
Ann S. - Ca - South CA split
	On CRRA board some don't agree with ZW
Like research and case studies

Pg. 18

Eric - 	Model solar cities in 70's
	Worth doing

Monday Morning - 11 people

1)	Trust
2)	In GRRN?
3)	Think Tank - In GRRN ?  In Trust ?

Bill - 	Excited about what NZ is doing
	How to get ZW with local officials?
	Q - How to get ZW substance at community level?
	Peter Montague will broadcast ZW & GRRN can't respond
		Don' have documents, network to service

Eric - certification, training
		Of ZW leaders
		GRRN
		Local govts.
		Abroad for GAIA
	Model cities
Pg. 20 

Ed - How about support for recycling businesses

Bill - 	The ZW movement needs an end of pipe/community focus, and we need to define ZW before it is co-opted.
	Natural Step - now starting to use "ZW"
	Only a half dozen govts.: Del Norte,
	Carrboro, NC - passed a resolution then we were unable to support them.
	Boulder - took it to the community = great achievement.

Warren - NZ Trust
	When it started, recyclers & city council met but with no clear direction
	Two people - Stephen Tindall & Warren Snow
		Business decision - to meet gap
	First day of brainstorming - many ZW ideas, but then GRRN priorities did NOT emphasize ZW
		Need other to support ZW
	Robin Murry set forward recipe for ZW agency
Local govts. Had no one to turn to for objective recycling information (only baised waste/recyling companies)

Pg. 21

Warren - Fund non profits
		Local govts.
		Businesses
		Schools
	Priority for $ for those who have adopted a ZW resolution for grants beyond initial $25 K

Eric - What should we do

Warren - Pay one person to coordinate for developing strategy / tactics
		And consult on who does this
	Clearinghouse for information in first year
	Liaison to all to continue getting input
	6 - 8 councils

Eric - 	There's a need for a phone number
	ZW phone?
		FTE in GRRN
		ZW Institute
		Other?

Susan - Short term and long term needs:
	Montague callers
		Web site & definition of ZW
	ZW Institute & local resolutions




Pg. 22 

Susan (cont)
	On web site
		Model resolution
		Check list to do locally
	Trust - brain trust in addition to finance
	Make sure that vision is not dissipated or co-opted

Eric - Half FTE @ GRRN - ZW project of GRRN
	ZW calls
	Web site
	Rapid response team
	Feasibility study

Warren - Establishment phase - 9 months feasibility study
		Business plan
		Input from stakeholders

GBL - Who wants to be at table?
	˝ FTE with ZW Institute with Eric who might be able to match dollar/dollar
	Two things to be careful to divvy up:
1)	T.A.
2)	Business plan for new organization
Good reason for separate organization
ID mission for new organization

Pg. 23

Ed -	Immediate need for local govt. T.A.
	Local govt initial focus but broader mission

Warren - Need good writer and strong resources
	Person - good connections with foundations and ability to move campaign structure

Susan - Coordinator needed, not expert

Ed - There's a network

Eric - Need quick response team

Coy - How to start recycling business calls all the time - did documentation
	Want in GRRN?

Bill - 	Likes Eric's ZW Institute as well as GRRN to work with community activists
	Phone calls will be from activists first, not local govts

Warren - Phone number & web site are key

Pg. 24

Warren - (cont)
	Web site information for all different sectors

Coy - Don't need to give answers tomorrow
	Gearing up

Susan - Will dissipate interest

Bill - Key resources needed now
ZW briefing kit		
		Del Norte ZW plan

GBL - Web site is there

Ford - Need check list
	Del Norte ZW plan - already there, but needs to be condensed or simplified

GBL - GRRN - some needed things - 3
		ZW Trust
		Business plan - web site
		ZW Institute - certifying and training

Eric - ZW information center in Boulder would help launch ZW Institute
	Joint proposal
		Eco Cycle
		GRRN

Bill - GRRN provides information

Eric - ZW Information Center = joint project of GRRN & Eco Cycle
	Library

Warren - Likes Boulder
	Activist message beyond recycling
	Information clearinghouse
	ZW Trust - URL & trade mark or Zero Waste USA

Susan - Information Center = beginning of think tank

Eric - ZW Institute = think tank & training center & clearinghouse to get professionals out to people

Pg. 26

Eric (cont)
	Ultimately, Information Center more a GRRN project, but helps

GLB - ZW Trust feasibility study
	Get MFF

Eric - What's role of Trust?
Coy - Holding the vision

Warren - Later do funding
	Trust?
	Zw USA
	One year - decide structure
	Adv. Comm.{?} for Information Center

GBL - Information Center - immediate need to calls & to build ZW Institute
	Information Center fold into ZW institute

Pg. 27

GLB (cont)
	Trust could develop out of Information Center

Coy - 3 ideas
1)	Information Center - joint GRRN/ Eco Cycle
2)	ZW Institute ( Eco Cycle)
Think tank 
Certification and training
3)	ZW Trust - longer term
Feasibility study / business plan
MFF lead

Warren - Information Center could be bridge to others - ZWI

Coy - Steering committee(s)?

Eric - I attached to Information Center and let logical allies to be made

Coy - All 3 focus on vision

Pg. 28

Warren - Felicia Marcus - met - welcome

GLB - Applied to EPA for ZW $

Eric - Steering Committee
	ID archive funding proposal on ZW

GLB - premise of GRRN - information sharing on grant making

Coy - Funders talk to each other
	Don't want to confuse them with varying messages - be coordinated

GBL - ZW business case studies from EPA

Anne S. - West Coast tax Summit
	$ for other ZW needs from Silicon Valley

Eric - introduce Chet - Global Green Grants

GBL - German funding for RR Parks - get more information

Pg. 29

Eric - ZW "Center" as name
	ZW Center.org

GBL - GRRN to lock up ZW URL's
		Zw trust.org, zw center, zw usa, zw coalition, zw allliance, wastezero,0-waste,z-w.org……….

Coy - Steering committee?

GBL - All Here

Pg. 30

GBL (cont)
	ZW Trust - manifesto ideas and notes

Bill - giving substance to ZW at a community level as critical now


ZW Certification

Eric - Not a PhD program
	Skills from the 40 here
	Formalize and give structure to information that we have
	Come to Boulder to be trained
	Self certify

Pg. 31	

	Certification -
		Liability issues
	Credibility of issuing organization
	Workshop vs. certification program
		Certification requires "body of knowledge"and associated manual
What is the value of certification?
	SWANA model works because it is regional in job desciptions
	CA recycling certification programs have folded (lack of perceived value)
Also need train the trainers program
	Multiple instructors/ coherent body of knowledge
	More than one expert per topic

Chet - Sustainable Forestry
	Biglo accounting firms
		Certified environmental audits needed
		Need to service with other environmental groups

Pg. 32

Warren - Financial, environmental and social accounts

GBL - Socially responsible investors need unbiased source of recycling data

Eric - Corporate performance on waste issues as module of certification

Warren - ZW gives them permission to be creative in local govts.

Eric - Local govt where waste bucks stop ( & dynamics inside in govt.)

Coy - Need business developers
	People in charge?

Pg. 33

Coy (cont)
	Another module
		Who?

Warren - social change 
	Economic development units working with them

Eric - RR Parks - whole module

Susan - Price Waterhouse
	Helping in CA & US in paper industry
	"Sustainable forest" certifications by Price Waterhouse
	Need modules
		Public and private
		Source reduction
		Recycling content
		Reuse / repair

Pg. 34

Eric - Service voids analysis
	ZW planning - local

Warren - Communication strategies
	Education in schools
	Master composter
	Technical issues
	Social issues

GBL - All aspects of municipal govt., planners, redevelopment, procurement, parks

Warren - Social change - 2 of equal value

Chet - Climate of social change - R 10 + 10{?}

Pg. 35

Chet (cont) - ZW reps to R 10 + 10

GBL - New administration next year
	As part of ZW Center - strategy for next year

Eric - Global Alliance for Incineration Alternatives (GAIA)

Follow up - 6 weeks in South Africa
	Modules -
		Finance and analysis
		Landfill / incineration world
		ZW tools and tactics
			EPR
			SR, reuse/ waste prevention
			Incentives - market dynamics & market development
			Networks

Warren - ZW advisers

Pg. 36

Susan - Design - 2-3 days as module
	Two modules in one week
	Or two separate 3 day deals with internet
	Tours in between?

Bill - Profesonal development Courses needed after initial training
	Certify to keep current
	Certify special ZW education skills

Warren - Get ZW certified in NZ & NZ Trust $
	NZ Trust - Information Center in NZ for that area

Pg. 37

Eric - ZW centers in different locations
	ZW Institute - 2 campuses
		NZ - Massey University
		Boulder
	Training & Certification to open Zw in your country

Pg. 38

Warren - Need Memo of Understanding on development of ZW Institute/Center
	Eric to draft



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