Mobilizing an Industry to Make a Difference

Compost: The Quiet Hero

Recycling Integrity: Truths, Myths & Emerging Technologies

Speaking Abstract

Subject: Zero Waste Zones: Mobilizing an Industry to Make a Difference 

Speaker: Holly Elmore, Elemental Impact CEO, Zero Waste Zones Director

Zero Waste Zones, an Elemental Impact program in partnership with the National Restaurant Association,
launched in February, 2009 as Atlanta’s response to losing a convention to another city as the client perceived
that city “greener.” Industry driven, the ZWZ program makes good business sense and is a voluntary program.

With Atlanta’s success, the ZWZ Program is staged for national expansion through the NRA’s state restaurant
association network.

THE WHO:

The ZWZ Program mobilizes the foodservice industry, the nation’s second largest industry, to divert material
from landfills and back into the production cycle. Atlanta foodservice operators were enthusiastic to serve as
pioneers, creating the pathway to bring zero waste initiatives to the industry in simple, easy to implement
criteria. ZWZ Participants range from small, independent operators to restaurant chains, college campuses,
event arenas, convention centers and hotels. In 2011 enthusiasm expanded beyond the foodservice industry
with Participants from a range of business categories joining the program.

THE HOW:

Showcasing the challenges and successes of the foodservice industry, Holly educates on how recycling
programs, including organics collection, may be implemented with ease into daily operations. In most
instances, the program is cost neutral to cost savings.

The ZWZ presentation may be combined with Compost: The Quiet Hero, if organics collection and soil
rejuvenation are of interest, or with Recycling Integrity: Truths, Myths & Emerging Technologies, if the
attendees are eager to learn about the final destination of recycling collection.

Audience:

The ZWZ Program provides corporate as well as civic communities with an ACTION plan. With her versatility,
Holly is an excellent complement to panel discussions or singular engagements motivating a community to
develop an action plan or a corporate environment ready to dive into the sustainability steam of zero waste.

Contact: Holly Elmore at or 404-261-4690 for additional information or to book a speaking engagement.