Social Equity in a Zero Waste Baltimore – National Zero Waste Conference

EcoJustice Radio visits Baltimore, Maryland, setting the standard for #ZeroWasteCities by ensuring social equity. Their racially and economically just Zero Waste Plan goes beyond the successful management of resources and waste by lifting up human rights values and ensuring that those communities who are historically burdened by the ill effects of our waste system are made a priority. Jessica Aldridge from Adventures in Waste interviews advocates from United Workers.

Meleny Thomas speaks on how Baltimore can get to an equitable zero waste future.

This is Installment Three of our National Zero Waste Conference series meant to elevate the voices featured during the two-day event in Berkeley, California (postponed in 2020). Click here for Installment One and Installment Two. Our guests are Meleny Thomas, Shashawnda Campbell, and Greg Sawtell all Leadership Organizers with United Workers in Baltimore, Maryland, speaking with our host, Jessica Aldridge from Adventures in Waste. More Info: zwconference.org/

People in South Baltimore are living 15 years less than other communities in the same city. Their Bresco Incinerator is responsible for $55 million in health damages annually. “When you think of Zero Waste, you can’t have a dumping ground community; and we have that.” Meleny Thomas.

MELENY THOMAS is a published author and member of the South Baltimore Community Land Trust. Her work focuses on mobilizing youth leadership and community leadership around environmental injustice and affordable housing.

SHASHAWNDA CAMPBELL is a member of the South Baltimore Community Land Trust. She began as a high school student that co-founded Free Your Voice, an advocacy group that was successful in shutting down the proposal of an incinerator.

GREG SAWTELL also co-founded the Free Your Voice group. He has been instrumental in accelerating the Zero Waste movement in South Baltimore.

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The National Zero Waste Conference is a two day educational and networking event organized by the National Recycling Coalition.

Hosted by Jessica Aldridge from SoCal 350 and Adventures in Waste
Engineer: Blake Lampkin
Executive Producer: Jack Eidt
Show Created by Mark and JP Morris
Music: Javier Kadry
Episode 58

Photo courtesy Meleny Thomas

Updated 8 September 2020