ZERO by FIFTY: Missoula's Pathway to Zero Waste

Reducing waste is not a new idea for our community. Over the years, various efforts helped catalyze Missoula's formal commitment to moving toward zero waste, via the ZERO by FIFTY policy process and final plan. The ZERO by FIFTY resolution was adopted by City Council in 2016, and after community input and lots of hard work, the ZERO by FIFTY final plan was adopted unanimously in August 2018! 

The ZERO by FIFTY resolution adopted by (90 Percent Waste Reduction by 2050) established four pathways to achieve zero waste . 

1. Access: This pathway promotes universal recycling and compost collection services for households and businesses, Zero Waste stations in public spaces, schools and government facilities with emphasis on events and the creation of incentives for construction, demolition and deconstruction recycling  ​
  • Kudos Log Jam Presents who announced the Going Green Initiative in partnership with the City of Missoula ZERO by FIFTY! They're reducing and recycling waste at the Top Hot Lounge, Wilma and Kettlehouse Amphitheater in a commitment to help reduce landfill waste in the region 90 percent by 2050. 
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2. Infrastructure : This pathway promotes co-located drop-off site for conventional recyclables, organics, e-waste, textiles, hazardous waste and hard-to-recycle materials, an enhancement of Garden City Compost operations to allow for broader acceptance of materials and a more complete food recovery network.   
​3. Education: This pathways aims at developing a community focused education campaign and the development of business-focused outreach program and resources. 
  • Zero Waste Missoula is working with the Missoula County Public schools district to find and implement waste reduction opportunities and expand Zero Waste education programs.
  • Check out Home Resources Zero Waste Ambassador Program which plans to expand to all Missoula public schools. 
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4. Policy ​: This pathway promotes the adoption of Zero Waste goal oriented policies and the creation of incentives and the exploration of restrictions. ​​
  • Explore and develop a Zero Waste Ordinance 
  • Regulate Construction and Demolition Waste. 
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 A report by Eco Solutions was recently published detailing our community's bold effort to achieve zero waste.  This report highlights Missoula's  commitment to achieve zero waste with a policy called ZERO by FIFTY. 
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 Some Important Takeaways:
  • Missoula has a major need to improve waste system – we recover only 20 percent of total waste
  • The major challenge: lack of competition among trash services. Republic Services serves a majority of Missoula and operates the only landfill. “Lack of competition creates little incentive to offer lower rates or expand services.”
  • A grassroots coalition called Zero Waste Missoula generated momentum for the Mayors declaration of Moving Missoula to Zero Waste Month. Grassroots mobilization can achieve institutional change!
  •  Zero Waste Missoula drafted a Zero Waste resolution that was adopted by the council in February 2016. The policy commits the City to creating a Zero Waste plan to achieve 90% waste reduction by 2050, with interim goals of 30% by 2025 and 60% by 2040.
  • To draft the plan, City staff and a community nonprofit partner Home ReSource formed the ZERO by FIFTY leadership team. 
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 Interested in learning more about the ZERO by FIFTY process ? Check out the full report here