ZERO-WASTE PROGRAM

GIPL’S NEW

9

ZERO-WASTE AUDITS COMPLETED

119,273

ESTIMATED POUNDS OF WASTE DIVERTED

8

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS IMPLEMENTED

The Zero-Waste Program is GIPL's newest program. It was piloted in three congregations in early 2022. GIPL staff worked with these congregations to conduct zero-waste audits, develop and implement a recycling program, and identify long-term zero-waste goals. We are excited to continue expanding and building this program to help other faith communities rethink and redesign their waste practices. 

Helping Faith Communities Reduce Their Waste!

The amount of waste that we generate globally has detrimental effects on the environment and on our neighbors and communities. Drawdown GA has identified recycling and waste management, composting, and reducing food waste as three of the 20 high-impact solutions for reducing carbon emissions in Georgia. Diverting waste from landfills reduces greenhouse gas emissions and prevents products from polluting our oceans and waterways. Rethinking current waste habits and practices and considering strategies for reducing, reusing, and recycling materials on-site is an impactful and easy way for communities of faith to implement climate solutions.

The three main components of this program include education, audit, and policy. Congregations enrolled in this program commit to providing workshops, training, and experiences for members of their staff and congregation to learn about waste diversion strategies and consider practical zero-waste measures they can implement on-site. Congregations participate in a waste audit, either as a full on-site assessment of their daily waste practices or as a zero-waste audit of a large congregational event. After these steps, congregations will work with GIPL staff to write and implement a sustainability policy to establish purchasing preferences and guidelines for diverting and reducing waste on-site. 

GIPL’s Zero-Waste program is designed to help communities of faith take a holistic approach to reducing waste through engaging the four “R’s” of waste management: Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle. All communities of faith generate waste from their worship, prayer services, classes, food preparation, office administration, and other activities. This Zero-Waste program provides tools, educational resources, and strategies to help individuals and congregations rethink their waste practices.

  • Professional Zero-Waste Audit

  • Customized audit report and debrief with recommendations for waste reduction and diversion in consultation with staff.

  • Assistance in developing a sustainability policy

  • Customized signage for recycling and composting

  • A “Zero-Waste” resource guide and social media toolkit

  • Zero-Waste workshop led by GIPL staff

  • Access to recycling tours of your materials recovery facility 

Synagogues, mosques, churches, temples, religious schools, and other worship facilities are eligible to participate in this program! If you have any questions about enrolling in the Zero-Waste program, please contact Hannah at hannah@gipl.org.

The fee to enroll in the Zero-Waste program ranges from $300-$500 and is based on a congregation’s budget.

Program Includes: