zero-waste

adjective

ze·​ro-waste ˈzir-(ˌ)ō-wāst How to pronounce zero-waste (audio)
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
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For a standalone fine-dining experience, Kubu takes diners on a zero-waste culinary journey, where every bite of the ten-course menu is sourced within a 100-kilometer (62-mile) radius. Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 The festival, which is heralded as one of the greenest music festivals in the scene, is a climate-positive and zero-waste event. Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 This zero-waste kitchen sources ingredients daily from local farms and butchers, which leads to an ever-evolving menu. Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 29 June 2025 In March, Miami-Dade County commissioners delayed choosing a site for an incinerator and approved compiling a report on a range of options for trash disposal, including zero-waste initiatives and landfilling. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for zero-waste

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zero-waste was in 1970

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Cite this Entry

“Zero-waste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero-waste. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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