Living with fewer materials and less waste should, in theory, save consumers money and resources. It should also save municipalities money in the sharply rising costs of recycling and trash disposal. But waste-free options are expensive in personal time and inconvenience, especially when compared to the unparalleled convenience of the disposable economy
FEATURE FOLLOW-UP: THE ROAD TO ZERO
Despite a relative win for recycling workers, living wage advocates pledge to keep on fighting
FEATURE FOLLOW-UP: SORTING IT OUT
Will Boston set a new regional precedent and finally pay recycling workers a living wage?
LIVING ON SCRAPS
Boston is aiming to achieve “zero waste,” which some say can create more living-wage jobs. Is part of this lofty goal rooted in the region’s dirtiest hypocrisy?