zero-waste
adjective
ze·ro-waste
ˈzir-(ˌ)ō-wāst 
ˈzē-(ˌ)rō-ˈ
variants
or zero waste
: generating little or no waste
a zero-waste event
zero-waste manufacturing
zero waste
noun
The creative waste management strategy of "zero waste" is a combination of community and industrial responsibility that includes deconstruction in spite of demolition, composting to keep odorous organic waste out of landfills, recycling, and a screening facility to allow more separation and reuse of waste rather than incineration.
—
Aimee Dolloff
Aimee Dolloff
Examples of zero-waste in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to Nike’s famous air cushioning, this pair is partially made with recycled materials and is part of the brand’s big push toward becoming a zero-carbon, zero-waste company.
—Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2024
The soap bar format also means this pick is plastic-free and zero-waste.
—April Benshosan, Verywell Health, 9 May 2024
That is a shame, given that the city’s waste-containerization program came about through discussions about zero-waste goals.
—The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
The region is a hothouse for green businesses: organic farms, zero-waste shops, and environmentally-minded vineyards are thick on the ground.
—Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 3 May 2024
The decor is modern, but not cold: at its center is a hydroponic greenhouse from which herbs and spices used in cocktails are harvested, and the zero-waste concept helps to determine the ingredients for the dishes prepared in the restaurant, which are always made with care.
—Francesca Faccani, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2024
From ceramic studios to sustainable zero-waste havens, these are the best places for shopping in Seoul.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Nov. 2023
Real Alloy Recycling zero waste project Real Alloy Recycling in Wabash will receive $67.3 million to create a zero-waste salt slag recycling facility on the back of its existing aluminum recycling facility.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Barnett now owns and operates a zero-waste store in Knoxville called KnoxFill.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Feb. 2024
Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2024
The soap bar format also means this pick is plastic-free and zero-waste.
—April Benshosan, Verywell Health, 9 May 2024
That is a shame, given that the city’s waste-containerization program came about through discussions about zero-waste goals.
—The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
The region is a hothouse for green businesses: organic farms, zero-waste shops, and environmentally-minded vineyards are thick on the ground.
—Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 3 May 2024
The decor is modern, but not cold: at its center is a hydroponic greenhouse from which herbs and spices used in cocktails are harvested, and the zero-waste concept helps to determine the ingredients for the dishes prepared in the restaurant, which are always made with care.
—Francesca Faccani, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2024
From ceramic studios to sustainable zero-waste havens, these are the best places for shopping in Seoul.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Nov. 2023
Real Alloy Recycling zero waste project Real Alloy Recycling in Wabash will receive $67.3 million to create a zero-waste salt slag recycling facility on the back of its existing aluminum recycling facility.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2024
Barnett now owns and operates a zero-waste store in Knoxville called KnoxFill.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zero-waste.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near zero-waste
Cite this Entry
“Zero-waste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero-waste. Accessed 18 May. 2024.
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