Because the focus of zero waste is on eliminating waste from the outset, it requires heavy involvement
primarily from industry and government since they are presented with many advantages over individual
citizens. In fact, zero waste will not be possible without significant efforts and actions from industry and
government (Connett & Sheehan, 2001). Industry has control over product and packaging design,
manufacturing processes, and material selection (Townend, 2010). Meanwhile, governments have the
ability to form policy and provide subsidies for better product manufacturing, design and sale; and the
ability to develop and adopt comprehensive waste management strategies which seek to eliminate
waste rather than manage it (Snow & Dickinson, 2001). Due to the heavy involvement of industry in
eliminating waste, extended producer responsibility is often an essential component of zero waste strategies
(Spiegelman, 2006)
.