Empowered by a successful environmental campaign the Zero Waste paradigm has literally 'exploded upon New Zealand ' and rapidly impacted the nations thinking on waste. The New Zealand Waste Strategy is now entitled "Towards Zero Waste and a sustainable New Zealand ". The vision for the Zero Waste Academy (ZWA) is to fill the void of knowledge and practical training so New Zealanders can actively convert the 'promise ' of Zero Waste into a new and more positive environmental reality.
The ZWA Mission is:
To develop a 'centre of excellence' for training, education and research of Zero Waste principles and practices needed for a sustainable future. The ZWA Goals are:
1- By actioning our mission, to reinforce and implement the campaign for zero waste as a competitive alternative to landfills and incineration.
2- To coordinate and contribute to the development of an industry training, education and qualification framework which;
- is an evolution of IWK, Wastebusters and other Community training programmes as ZWA establishment initiatives,
- reinforces the integrity and overarching culture of the global Zero Waste movement,
- exceeds NZQA accreditation standards,
- which develops operational processes and structures which efficiently facilitate the, cooperative utilisation of existing educational resources, high levels of consensus, ownership and ongoing participation of contributing stakeholders.
3- Facilitates a research programme within Massey University which addresses the technology and knowledge deficit exposed by New Zealand 's commitment to Zero Waste.
