The rumbling sound of the garbage truck is ubiquitous in urban areas. The slamming and clanging, the soft backing-up beeps, the whiff of rotting refuse all seem to be a staple of city life. But what if the city produced no waste? Is a waste-free city even possible?
Nic Esposito, the former Zero Waste and Litter Director for the city of Philadelphia, sits down to discuss his plans to implement change and introduce zero waste practices.
Before assuming this important role, Esposito worked in city planning for years and comes from a farming background. “Farmers are the original zero-wasters,” he says. With that mindset, in 2016, Esposito formed an initiative to address not just the city’s waste management strategies, but to improve the city’s image of being dirty and litter-strewn. His vision aimed to simultaneously reduce waste and beautify the city.
But, is a city that produces zero waste a realistic possibility? Esposito details some of the financial, political, and strategic hurdles he’s faced as well as where the city is headed.
Other topics covered in this interview include an overview of Philadelphia's Zero Waste Plan, key aspects of taking a city on a zero waste journey, challenges faced by the former director, advice for municipalities creating similar plans, and how Esposito plans to stay on track to meet the program’s goals.