(Office of the Governor) — Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang on Thursday proclaimed the week of March 27, 2023, to April 2, 2023, as CNMI Zero Waste Week during the CNMI Zero Waste Visioning Kick-Off held.
They were joined by Office of Planning and Development Acting Director Christopher A. Concepcion, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 Administrator Martha Guzman, OPD, members of the cabinet, local dignitaries, and partnering agencies.
The Zero Waste International Alliance defines “Zero Waste” as the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.
Governor Palacios and Lt. Governor Apatang encourage everyone in our community to acknowledge and take part in efforts to promote sustainable living and support the ongoing work to achieve Zero Waste in our great Commonwealth and affirmed their commitment to working towards more sustainable production, consumption, and disposal practices, and creating a healthier and cleaner CNMI.
Joining Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang for a group photo are, from left: Department of Public Works Acting Secretary Ray N. Yumul, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Pacific Islands Office CNMI Lead Jared Vollmer, Saipan Mayor Ramon B. Camacho, Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, EPA Region 9 Administrator Martha Guzman, EPA Tribal, Intergovernmental, and Policy Division Director Laura Ebbert, DPW Solid Waste Management Division Director Blas T. Mafnas, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality Administrator Eli D. Cabrera, and Office of Planning and Development Acting Director Christopher A. Concepcion.
