(Philadelphia, December 20, 2016) – Mayor Jim Kenney today signed an Executive Order that creates the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet, charged with creating a comprehensive plan for waste reduction and litter prevention.

“A clean Philadelphia is a vibrant and healthy Philadelphia,” said the Mayor.  “With this Executive Order, I’m assembling a group of experts from within and outside of government to identify more effective ways to increase our waste diversion rate and tackle the long-standing problems of litter and cleanliness that many of our neighborhoods have long struggled with.”

The Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet is charged with developing an action plan to achieve the following objectives:

• Setting a “zero waste” goal for Philadelphia to reduce the amount of material in the waste stream and increase the percentage of waste diverted from conventional landfills and incinerators – with a long-term goal of diverting almost all waste from conventional landfills and incinerators by 2035. Many other major U.S. cities, such as New York and Los Angeles, have recently adopted similar “zero waste” goals and Philadelphia is proud to join them.
• Prevent and better manage litter and illegal dumping in the right-of-way and other public spaces in neighborhoods across the city.
• Improve education, through outreach and partnerships with public and private stakeholder organizations, on preventing and managing litter and working toward a long-term “zero waste” goal.
• Implementing measurable standards to demonstrate progress toward the goals of a greener and cleaner city through an enhanced “litter index.”
• Engage citizens and strengthen communities to better empower them to keep their neighborhoods clean, litter-free, and environmentally sustainable.
• Build strategic partnerships with government agencies, private businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to assist the Managing Director’s Office in implementing the action plan.

“Over the years, I’ve seen important but piecemeal efforts toward reducing waste and litter in Philadelphia,” said Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis.  “I’m convinced that a comprehensive, interdepartmental approach that tackles all aspects of the issues – and coordinates the responses across departments, in cooperation with City Council and community members– is the only way to achieve the aspirational goals of a zero waste, litter free City – and this cabinet can help accomplish those objectives.”

The Cabinet, co-chaired by the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director for Transportation and Infrastructure, will be composed of 16 members, including representatives from the Commerce Department, Department of Planning and Development, the President of City Council, the School District of Philadelphia, the Office of the District Attorney, SEPTA, and PennDOT.  Representatives of the business community and nonprofit organizations will also be included in the Cabinet. Additionally, leaders from City operating departments will extensively advise, assist, and support the Cabinet throughout its work.

The Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet is expected to deliver its plan to the Mayor in six months.  Beyond that, it will prepare and publish annual reports on its progress.

These are the current representatives on the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet.  A final spot is TBD.