Zero waste is a universal term that means to throw nothing away. Jackson Hole is one of over fifty communities nation-wide and many more around the world that have adopted the principle of zero waste as a way to conserve resources, save money, create jobs, and sustain the health of the environment. Locally, the pursuit of zero waste means a commitment to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost as much as possible and limit the amount of material disposed of through incineration and landfilling.
The Road to Zero Waste is the name for the initiative undertaken by Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR) to provide and coordinate strategies to waste less. Currently, Teton County is able to divert, or keep out of the landfill, 34% of discards. A resolution, approved in 2014 by Teton County Commissioners and The Town of Jackson, calls for 60% diversion by the year 2030.
As a Road to Zero Waste community, Teton County will:
- Strive to reach a diversion rate of 60% from landfill by the year 2030, surpassing the national average and joining the leading zero waste communities in the Rocky Mountain West and the nation;
- Participate in the reduction, reuse, recycling and composting of additional types and quantities of materials;
- Rely on business leaders to provide models to pave the way for more organizations to incorporate sustainable practices;
- Infuse education and outreach with connections to national and international efforts and standards; and,
- Work together as a community toward a zero waste future.
Please scroll down to read more about what we do.
The mission of Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR) is to: “Reduce, reuse, recycle and manage municipal solid waste throughout Teton County, Wyoming, in an efficient and environmentally-sound manner.”
Recycling
Road to Zero Waste
In fall 2014, Teton County Commissioners took historic action by unanimously adopting a Zero Waste Resolution. As a result, a decade from now, Teton County’s opportunities to divert waste from the landfill will be greater than they are today, possibly including programs such as food waste composting and increased recycling services. ISWR coordinates the Road to Zero Waste strategies that are designed to achieve the initial goal of 60 percent diversion of waste from the landfill by the year 2030.
Composting
ISWR offers municipal yard waste composting services at the Teton County Trash Transfer Station at 5400 W. US Hwy 89; as well as several free residential yard waste collection events per year. This composting program accounts for over 50 percent of the total tonnage diverted from the landfill annually in Teton County. A pilot program to begin commercial food waste composting is underway as well.
Business Leaders and Community Partnerships
ISWR community partnerships are awarded on an annual basis. These opportunities provide limited funding to programs that offer education and outreach programming, events and projects related to minimizing waste and conserving resources. Click below to learn more about past partners and the application process.