Zero Waste Master Plan
This Zero Waste Master Plan provides sustainable solutions and a long-term programmatic approach for the government and people of Guahan to attain their aspirational goal of zero waste using a green circular economy as the strategic plan to develop a more robust and resilient economy. The development and implementation of a Zero Waste Program is a dynamic, evolving process with fluctuating market conditions and dynamic political, technical, financial, and educational issues to address along the way. Every single day we make individual choices in our homes and communities that have an impact on the world around us. Every small action we take today makes a difference; small actions that collectively add up over time are critical to preserving the environment for Guam’s children and the future of the world.
Zero Waste Board Meetings
| Date | Time | Location | Type | Notices | Agenda | Minutes | Live Stream Link |
Master Plan Objectives
In accordance with the Governor of Guam’s Executive Order 2019-28 creating the Zero Waste Working Group, the purpose of this Zero Waste Master Plan is to provide a road map that shows how Guam can reach its aspirational goal of zero waste through the implementation of a strategic plan to transition into a green circular economy. The objectives of this Zero Waste Master Plan are to do the following:.
• Build on the 2013 Guam Zero Waste Plan and the 2022 Updated Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (ISWMP) goals.
• Create a Master Plan update for the government and people of Guam to follow in pursuit of zero waste and a green circular economy for the future.
• Optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of recommended zero waste initiatives by developing an implementation plan with long-term considerations incorporated into short term actions.
• Expand Guam’s zero waste horizons by advancing opportunities to increase zero waste initiative impacts and facilitate the transition to a green circular economy.
• Propose sustainable funding development strategies for zero waste.
Zero Waste Initiatives
Input was gathered from residents, businesses, students, government agencies and zero waste experts as part of the process used to develop this Zero Waste Master Plan. Based on this input, the following twelve zero waste initiatives are recommended for implementation in this Zero Waste Master Plan with the intent of increasing waste diversion, creating on-island markets for recycled materials, strengthening resilience, and enhancing sustainability. White Papers for each zero waste initiative are provided in this Zero Waste Master Plan which provide a detailed implementation approach, suggested timeline for implementation, and sustainability impacts that can be realized over a 20-year period if the zero waste initiatives are implemented as recommended.
Expanding Guam’s Zero Waste Horizons
The zero waste initiatives recommended in this Zero Waste Master Plan will create positive environmental, social, and economic impacts key to delivering components of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and commitments contained in the Guam Green Growth (G3) Action Framework. Key opportunities which are discussed in more detail in the Zero Waste Master Plan to increase sustainability impacts and facilitate Guam’s transition to a green circular economy include deliberate actions to:
– Strengthen Guam’s Zero Waste Framework
– Establish Intergovernmental Partnerships
– Build Public Private Partnerships
– Invest in Education and Green Workforce Development
– Focus on Equity and Environmental Justice
Original Implementation Strategy
From 2013 through 2022, the Government and people of Guahan began a multi-phase zero waste journey during which a foundation for a zero-waste program (Phase I) was built and a series of sustainable materials management initiatives (Phase II) were implemented. Building on the foundation laid in the 2013 Guam Zero Waste Plan, this master plan presents an updated blueprint containing four additional phases of strategic zero waste initiatives (Phases III through VI) which will move Guam’s Zero Waste Program forward for the next 20 years.
Updated Blueprint
Implementation of the zero waste initiatives identified above in the coming years will be critical to achieving the 2022 Guam Zero Waste Act target of 50% waste diversion by 2035. Inclusion of this updated blueprint for zero waste in the Guahan 2050 Sustainability Plan will optimize opportunities to strengthen the resilience and enhance the sustainability of Guam’s economy and environment.
Draft Implementation Timeframe
Following is a suggested implementation timeline for the zero waste initiatives recommended in Phases III through VI of the Zero Waste Master Plan.
Critical Economic Considerations
To implement the initiatives recommended in this Zero Waste Master Plan, a funding strategy with sustainable financing mechanisms is needed. The single most important step the Government of Guam can take to further zero waste on Guam is to secure a sustainable funding strategy for this program.
This Zero Waste Master Plan presents options for using one or a combination of financing sources including internal funding, external financing, public private partnerships and extended producer responsibility fees. As an example of how a sustainable funding strategy can be developed to strategically implement programmatic actions, the Zero Waste Master Plan was commissioned by Guam EPA using internal funding, with the intent of using the information collected and analysis conducted to obtain external funding to kick-start the updated implementation plan and new zero waste initiatives. One of the primary recommendations included in the master plan for developing sustainable funding over the long term is to enact an Extended Producer Responsibility program with requirements that producers assist with the ongoing costs associated with zero waste and sustainable materials management.
Zero Waste Master Plan
Contact Us
- P.O. Box 2950 Hagatna, Guam 96932
- (671) 472-4201/2/3
management and staff
- Lola Leon Guerrero - Director - lolalg@bsp.guam.gov
- Matthew Santos - Dep. Director - matthew.santos@bsp.guam.gov
divisions
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- 513 W Marine Dr. Hagåtña, Guam 96910