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

Herz also loved thrift shopping and realized a dream of hers by opening her zero-waste boutique thrift shop, Twice As Good. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2026

Beyond standard tours, the distillery hosts a Lakeside Yoga and Sound Bath that ends with a zero-waste mocktail. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026

Bali's nearly-zero-waste Desa Potato Head is an inspiring place to stay for a genuinely fun yet responsible taste of the island that engages all ages. — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026

Next up was a tostada with organic oyster mushrooms, goat cheese and his zero-waste salsa macha, followed by an empanada made with corn, Soyrizo, more homemade cheese and a salsa verde made from zucchini tops. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026

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