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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plus, the restaurant sources directly from farms across the US and Australia that are using regen farming practices, and works on being low-waste (or zero-waste, if possible). — Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Bali's nearly-zero-waste Desa Potato Head is an inspiring place to stay for a genuinely fun yet responsible taste of the island that engages all ages. — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026 The development shows that a zero-waste future might actually be possible simply by turning a toxic liability into literal building blocks. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026 The Solana Beach City Council received an update May 27 about the climate action plan, including a public interface to show various metrics in how the city is making progress, a pollinator garden at City Hall and encouraging city events to be zero-waste. — Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026 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

Rhymes for zero-waste

See All Rhymes for zero-waste

Browse Nearby Words

zero vector
zero-waste
zero-zero
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zero-waste.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zero-waste. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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