Dear PAZWTF:

As an environmentally-conscious social enterprise located in Palo Alto, we are interested in playing a more active role towards fulfilling the Zero Waste Program's mission of achieving a 73% diversion rate by 2011 and a 90% diversion rate by 2021. 

World Centric is a non-profit dedicated to reducing economic injustice and environmental degradation through education, community networks and sustainable enterprises.  In order to fulfill this mission, World Centric is interested in promoting environmental sustainability through the combined efforts of the Palo Alto Zero Waste Program, local student groups and non-profits by:

-          Supporting the Zero Waste Program's commitment to "Ensure that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled back into nature or the marketplace."

-          Providing exclusive discounts for all Palo Alto businesses to increase affordability for small businesses.

-          Profit-sharing with the local community.  We will offer student groups and non-profits, located within the City of Palo Alto, a 5% commission on each sale.  In the case of recurring orders, the 5% commission will continue to apply for a period of six months.

-     Networking environmental groups and students at Stanford, Palo Alto and Gunn High Schools.

These actions support the Zero Waste Program's Strategic Plan to "Begin with Recognition and Incentives, then finally Ban" (page 3).  The local community benefits through our profit-sharing incentive, as there will be more funds available for their use.  Local businesses will find the discounted products more affordable and, potentially, earn recognition and publicity for their waste-reduction efforts.  These incentives will further the City's goal to achieve Zero Waste and pave the way towards a Styrofoam ban, since affordable, compostable substitutes do exist.

To start, we have begun building acoalition between enthusiastic students at Palo Alto High, Gunn High Schooland Stanford.  Our objective is to create synergy within the studentpopulation and help drive the initiative with support from the City of Palo Alto and the PAZWTF.

We would love to hear any inputs orsuggestions.  Please feel free to pass this on to anyone associated withthe Zero Waste Program and its efforts. Let's continue the dialogue on making Palo Alto a Zero Waste Community! 

Thank you!

Best Regards,

Anna Ching

World Centric

2121 Staunton Court

Palo Alto, Ca 94306

650-739-0699 ext. 30

http://worldcentric.org