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

Examples of zero-waste in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Upcycling transforms easter holiday prep into a zero-waste design challenge with kids. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Highlights of the zero-waste event include a fix-it-clinic, tie-dye workshop and compost giveaway. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025

Adidas, the athletic wear company, is an example of a company that is using more recycled materials, including plastic waste recovered from beaches and biodegradable materials, in its efforts to produce zero-waste running shoes. —Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Governments need to put into place policies, regulations, and subsidies to promote sustainability and zero-waste practices to encourage businesses to enact positive practices, Guterres said. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zero-waste

• aftertaste
• interfaced
• interlaced
• abased
• barefaced
• debased
• defaced
• disgraced
• displaced
• distaste
• effaced
• embraced