LEEF Spring Mini-Conference

The Center for Biological Diversity has been focused on moving from our take-make-waste economy to one that is more supportive of people and the planet. Attendees to this session will learn about our waste prevention research but also the campaigns we’ve created to support individual and systems changes. Our waste prevention portfolio includes: 1) working to support secondhand/resale/thrift stores in partnership with Poshmark and the Small Business Administration; 2) incubating libraries of things throughout Florida with Shareable, 3) advocating for improved state-level food codes to clearly allow foodservice reuse with Upstream 4) drawing attention to the issue associated with blended fabrics in fast fashion with Collective Fashion Justice and 5) non-material gift giving. Our research includes: National survey results regarding the economy and how the zero waste community can embrace alternatives; National survey results related to alternative gift giving behaviors and secondhand shopping; and an analysis that found that more than half of wool knitwear is blended with plastic contributing to microplastic pollution and worsening the climate crisis.